Meet Melany, a 10-month-old baby girl from Guatemala. Melany is an only child. Her mother stays home to manage the home while her father is a coffee worker and sells wood.
Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), tells us that Melany was born from a complicated pregnancy and with low birth weight. Melany has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. WK informs us, "Melany spent her first month of life in an incubator and fed formula and then was returned to her mother at 4 weeks of age to go home."
Melany's condition can be fixed with access to appropriate treatment. Treatment includes, "growth monitoring, supplementation, and medication for her to make a full recovery," shares WK. "Without intervention she will face the long-term effects of malnutrition and be at risk for other acute illnesses." Treatment will cost a total of $512, which includes nutritional education for Melany's mother.
Melany's mother shares, "I will do whatever it takes for my daughter."