Ana was living with her husband and two children in rural Guatemala when, eight months ago, she began experiencing severe join pain. A trip to her village’s community health center revealed the culprit—she had gout, intense tenderness and swelling in the joints caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. Ana’s condition worsened and her pain became debilitating. Unable to afford medication, she had no way of treating her symptoms. 

Only a third of people living in rural Guatemala have access to modern sanitation facilities; 15% of the country’s rural areas lack electricity. Many of the families in these communities have difficulty getting food on the table, let alone affording medical care. In Ana’s case, delaying treatment could lead to permanent bone, joint and tissue damage, followed by kidney and heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Brother’s Brother Foundation sent a donation of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to Guatemala in November. The 40-foot container had more than 54,000 bottles of medication used for conditions from high blood pressure and high cholesterol to chest pain and joint pain. Ana was one of the patients impacted on the receiving end. 

“I can walk again pain free only because I received a blessing of medicine that was donated to me,” she said. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart because I could no longer stand the pain that my condition was causing.” 

Her story of reclaimed health is one of many that have come from the shipment. 

“With this generous supply of medications donated to us, we were able to treat many people living in poverty who suffer daily without any hope of relief,” said Byron, Paredes, an in-country representative for Food For The Poor’s in-country partner representative, said. 

BBF’s donation also included 46,000 exam gloves, 2,100 face shields and 43,000 face masks, ensuring medical workers could provide care safely. 

[After receiving a free supply of febuxostat, Ana no longer experiences debilitating joint pain caused by gout.]