WAM's doctors have traveled extensively in Africa and other parts of the world to  practice medicine. One of the most difficult experiences for us has been working with families with gravely ill children who cannot afford even the most basic care. An impossible choice for doctors in such situations is to send children home to a near certain death, or offer some financial assistance with hospitalization in the hope of saving a life.

That is why World Altering Medicine established the Swazi Emergency Fund, which enables us to financially assist poor families, who have no other recourse, in caring for the sickest children. In these extreme circumstances, and in cases where a life could be possibly saved, WAM provides the funds needed --often a very few dollars -- for hospitalization, transportation to and from the hospital, food for the family's caretakers, and medicines not covered by the hospital. For as little as the $1 per day it costs for a child to be hospitalized in Swaziland, WAM is helping families in crisis cope with life and death decisions and is ultimately saving lives.

WAM's founder and President, Dr. Dan Dewey, tells the story of NM, a 19 month old child born HIV-positive in Swaziland, and how WAM's generous donors were able to help. Because she had been losing weight for months and had a recent bout of fevers, vomiting and diarrhea, NM's  mother brought her in for a medical visit. She was  wan  with papery-thin skin, weak cry, and the weight of a newborn at nineteen months. Can you imagine a 19 month old child weighing 9.6 pounds? I could not stop thinking about the dichotomy of childhood obesity in America and severe malnutrition in Africa.

Knowing that most children this malnourished will likely die without prolonged hospitalization, I recommended that the child be admitted to the hospital. The mother refused. Yet I persisted, thinking perhaps she did not understand the gravity of her only child's condition. And then, head lowered, she told me she had no money for food, much less for a hospitalization.

I found myself in a most impossible situation: either send NM home to a near certain death, or offer some assistance for the hospitalization with some chance of saving her  life."

Here is NM with her mother, after one week of  nutritional therapy in the Mbabane General Hospital.

The needs in Africa are overwhelming, but a little goes a very long way toward improving and  saving lives. Often, one dollar per day can make the difference. Can you help us help more families like NM's in Swaziland?