I am posting this at the request/urging of my daughter Martina.

On November 4th, my aunt Miriam gave birth to her second child, baby Bela, much earlier than expected. Bela arrived at just 31 weeks, weighing only 1.03kg (2.25lbs), and needed to be revived in the emergency room less than 20 minutes after arriving at the hospital. Our family is deeply grateful for the care she received, but the experience has been both emotionally and financially overwhelming.

Bela is currently in the NICU/PICU, and her hospital stay is expected to last at least two months. The cost of this care is more than a year’s salary in the Philippines, and while Bela’s parents are trying to transfer her to a public hospital, she is not stable enough for a move, and nearby hospitals do not have the space or facilities she needs. Our family is doing everything we can to support Miriam and Bela, but the financial burden is more than we can manage alone.

We are reaching out to our community for help. Any support, whether financial or through prayers and well wishes, would mean the world to us as we fight for Bela’s recovery. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering helping our family during this difficult time.