Maikon is an 18-month-old boy from Guatemala. When he was an infant, his mother was unable to produce breastmilk, and Watsi donors funded lactational failure treatment. Now that Maikon is eating solid foods, his parents have had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. Fortunately, Maikon began malnutrition treatment on October 28, 2016.
Maikon is the youngest child in his family, and he is always making his family members laugh. He loves to play with his toy car and ball, a gift from his older sister. Even though Maikon loves to eat carrots and papaya, his parents often can’t afford to give him these foods. His father is a farmer, and his mother weaves traditional Mayan textiles. Together they only make a couple dollars per day. They need help to fund this $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Maikon recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Maikon a chance to grow healthy and strong.
