What is the significance of Martin's mom becoming severely ill? How does this illness have an impact on Martin and his entire family?

Martin: July 2001 – Martin, who loved dorming at Marist, was nevertheless happy for semester break when he got to go home and see his family. However, he quickly became concerned as his mother was ill and stayed in bed for two days. Martin decided she need to go to the hospital, so the family had to push her there in a wheelbarrow. There, Martin’s mother was diagnosed with malaria, and so Martin had to purchase IV fluids needed for treatment, along with important pills. Fortunately, Martin and Nation had enough money between them to purchase these things, so their mother could be admitted. The medicine had an almost immediate effect on Mai, making her better very quickly.

In context, we see that unlike in the United States, Martin's family is devasted in every way by his mother's illness. You can't just call 911, you are not provided with transportation, the inability to pay for items means that treatment will not be administered. It is Martin and Nation, who through their own dedication and hard work insure that their mother will receive treatment. Nothing in their lives in taken for granted.