Help earth guardian Marlen pay baby Gael's NICU

Our dear friend Marlen urgently needs help for her baby boy Gael. Marlen is usually the one helping everybody else. She is a trained biologist, anthropologist, educator, human rights defender, and naturopathic healer. For decades, she has worked tirelessly to protect indigenous forests and the well-being of indigenous communities in her home country of Guatemala. In 2002, she started her own NGO (ORCONDECO ) to do this work and has dedicated her life to it ever since. She has won international awards for her high impact. She has made huge personal sacrifices and her dedication to helping others knows no limits, at times helping even when her own safety was at risk. She often forgoes a salary to make sure those around her have enough.

Marlen had another dream too…to be a mother. Earlier this year, that dream became a reality. With the help of assisted reproduction, Marlen got pregnant with twins. A baby girl and a baby boy. She had never been happier! But on September 23, the amniotic sac of her baby girl broke prematurely at 30 weeks. For days, Marlen was in the hospital fighting to buy her babies time to grow in the womb and increase their chance of survival. On September 27, Surya and Gael were born and despite the odds they made it to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). After several weeks, Surya gained strength and was able to go home with Marlen. Gael remained.

Gael’s lungs are weak and he struggles to breath. He is battling pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). He remains in critical condition, but he is fighting to survive. Doctors estimate he will need to stay in the NICU for an additional 6-8 weeks. Marlen has paid for all of her own fertility treatments, her hospital bills and Surya’s, but is now under water with the looming amount for Gael’s NICU. She has worked so tirelessly to protect life on earth in all its forms. She is humbled to receive your help and is so grateful for anything you can contribute to help her pay for Gael’s hospital bills to provide him the medical attention he needs to survive and recover fully.

With our deep gratitude and love,

Maria Hermes (co-founder of ORCONDECO)

Ani Cuevas (close friend and colleague who will send all funds from the US to Guatemala through secure wire transfer)