Help us to make a dream come true

Hello, my name is Verónica. About four years ago, we moved to the United States because my husband received a scholarship to pursue a graduate degree at a university in Kansas. Although his student stipend is very limited, we’ve managed to cover rent, food, and other living expenses on our own.

However, last year I became pregnant, and the many medical appointments and prenatal care costs strained our finances considerably.

In August 2024, during a routine anatomy scan, we were told that our baby would be born with bilateral clubfoot. We were devastated at first, having no prior knowledge of this condition. Thankfully, the doctors reassured us that with proper treatment and a minor surgery, our baby could grow up with corrected feet and live a normal life. That gave us hope and peace of mind as we awaited his arrival.

Our son was born in January 2025, and we started his treatment when he was just three weeks old. The clinic is located two hours away from where we live, so we’ve had to make weekly trips for his appointments. Many times, especially during winter, we’ve had to travel the night before and stay overnight to avoid dangerous road conditions. These frequent trips, combined with medical costs and the limitations of our insurance, have put us in a difficult financial situation.

Our only credit card is maxed out, and we are currently living on the bare minimum while my husband finishes his degree. Once he graduates, we plan to return to our home country Ecuador and start a small business, but unfortunately, we don’t have the capital to begin.

Our project aims to acquire portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) equipment to assess lead (Pb) contamination in homes, schools, gardens, and parks. This tool will allow us to identify potential sources of lead exposure in urban and rural environments and develop effective mitigation or remediation strategies. The primary goal is to reduce the risk of contact with lead, especially in children, who are the most vulnerable to its toxic effects.

That’s why we’re turning to you. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. All donations will go toward our son’s treatment and helping us stay afloat during this important phase of our lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering helping our little family.