Sixteen-month-old Brandon lives with his family in Guatemala’s rural highlands. He is a very serious child and loves to eat all types of food, especially bananas. His father works as a bus driver, and his mother takes care of the household and weaves traditional Mayan textiles.
Brandon has acute malnutrition, a dangerous condition caused by consuming too few calories and nutrients, including protein. As a result, Brandon is underweight and small for his age. He has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak, leaving him vulnerable to illnesses that may further compromise his growth. Long term, he may face undesirable consequences, such as an increased risk of chronic diseases, a low IQ, and a higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Fortunately, while malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable.
Brandon’s mother says that her son has had health problems since he was born. His parents are very worried about him, but they do not have the resources to pay for treatment for their baby boy.
With $837 in funding, Brandon will receive growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation beginning March 13. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will become stronger with the increased caloric intake. Community health workers will teach his mother to create a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources and provide tools to help his family maintain his nutritious diet.
Brandon’s mother is grateful for the aid from the program. “I am happy that my son will receive this support so that he can get better and develop,” she shares.