Cristofer is a 15-month-old boy from Guatemala. His parents have had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Cristofer began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016.
Cristofer loves to play with his older brother while his mother cooks for the family or weaves Mayan textiles. His favorite foods are bananas, rice, and noodles. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. Cristofer’s father works as a day laborer on a local plantation. He cannot afford his son’s $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Cristofer 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 Cristofer a chance to grow healthy and strong.