“My daughter is really small. I want her to grow well, and I want her to get bigger and have the best chance at a full life,” shares Damaris' mother. Damaris is a six-month-old baby girl from Guatemala and a patient with our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). She is acutely malnourished. “At the moment Damaris is not growing well – both her height and her weight are far below average for her age. She is frequently ill with diarrhea, and her immune system is weak. Without intervention she will surely suffer the long-term effects of malnutrition and in the short term, her immune system will continue to weaken and his weight and height growth trajectory will not improve,” explains WK. Many indigenous Guatemalans live in rural areas and suffer from high rates of food insecurity. The poorest Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. $512 will fund a multifaceted intervention for Damaris' malnutrition. “This treatment will help get Damaris back on track. This treatment will supply her with the growth monitoring, supplementation, and medication for her to make a full recovery. Her mother will receive intensive nutrition education thus building her confidence and ability to take care of Damaris,” explains WK. WK continues, “Damaris will recoup the weight and height she has lost and her energy will improve. With medication, we will treat her diarrhea and any other illness that she may present with while in this program. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Damaris the chance to live a healthy productive life.”

Two-year-old Paul lives with his three siblings and his parents in Guatemala. “He loves to play with a toy motorcycle given to him by his brother,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “When his brother wants to play with the motorcycle, Paul hits him with it and cries--he is not very good at sharing yet.” Due to acute malnutrition, “Paul has diarrhea, and his height and weight are far below the average for his age," WK says. “This level of stunting we believe is an indicator that his mental development is stunted as well. Without intervention, he will face the negative long-term effects of malnutrition. His physical and mental development and growth will be stunted and he will be at higher risk of chronic diseases later in life.” For $535, Paul will receive treatment for acute malnutrition. Over a 90-day period, he will be given nutrient-rich food supplements, gradually returning him to healthy nutrition levels. He will also receive deworming medication to protect him against infection throughout his treatment. Paul’s parents will receive intensive nutritional education to better care for their children. “Intensive nutrition education will benefit not only Paul, but his three other siblings, as his parents will have the educational tools necessary to prepare nutritious meals for all their children and be able to recognize the signs of malnutrition in the future.” In addition to rebalancing his diet, this treatment will also bolster Paul’s weakened immune system and prevent the long-term effects of malnutrition. “We are so happy that WK and Watsi want to help us, we trust that with your help our son will recuperate soon,” shares Paul’s mother.