Jenelyn is a playful 13-month-old girl from the Philippines. She lives with her parents and four siblings in a remote area on Palawan Island. Her father farms cashew nuts, but his income does not meet the family’s basic needs. They do not have access to electricity at home, and they obtain their water from a deep well.
Jenelyn has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens her growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, she will begin $184 malnutrition treatment on February 22.
Jenelyn will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases.
ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening.
Jenelyn’s mother says, “I am very thankful and excited because Jenelyn was selected to be part of this feeding program. I am looking forward with the positive results it will bring to my daughter. I hope she will be healthier and smart.”
