Bridge of Life (BOL) is partnering with FUNDANIER, BOLs pediatric dialysis partner, and Habitat for Humanity Guatemala (HFHG) to create a safe treatment solution for the administration of home-based peritoneal-dialysis (PD) for four children with chronic renal disease so that they may become eligible for a kidney transplant in the future.

Please support our efforts to build home dialysis rooms for children in rural Guatemala so that they may have the potential for a kidney transplant in the future.

Background: Absolutely devastatingly, children with kidney failure (ESRD) are 30 times more likely to die than an otherwise healthy child. Young adults who have had ESRD since childhood have a life expectancy of <40 years if they are treated with dialysis, and twice that if they are fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant.

In Guatemala, families living in remote areas have difficulties accessing healthcare services due to a lack of transportation to facilities, resources, and language barriers.

For children to be eligible to be added to the kidney transplant list, the best treatment to guarantee optimal health and quality of life, it is preferred that children first receive PD treatment that can be administered at home under the appropriate home, sanitation and hygiene conditions. For many of the children receiving medical attention from FUNDANIER, these conditions are not yet in place as they live in poverty. Due to a lack of resources, many do not have access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. They often live in overcrowded homes made from dirt floors, corrugated metal roof sheets and bamboo, wood or metal sheet walls.

The PD rooms, built by volunteers, will account for these difficulties. We have developed a room which creates a safe environment for the administration of home-based dialysis treatment to improve the health and well-being of children living with renal disease.

We are grateful for your support of our volunteer builders and children and families impacted by this new program!