“Melany is happy child. She loves to play with a little doll given to her by a neighbor and she also likes to dance and imitate her mom singing, even if she cannot say the words,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK).
14-month-old Melany is from Guatemala, and currently lives with acute malnutrition. "Melany has diarrhea and fever," says WK. "Her appetite is low and she is far below the average height and weight for her age. Frequent diarrhea prevents Melany from absorbing critical nutrients, and extreme poverty has prevented her mother from being able to buy protein and nutrient-dense foods for Melany. She is showing signs of developmental delays, and at 14 months she cannot sit or walk on her own."
"Without intervention, Melany will continue to fall away from the growth curve, her immune system will continue to weaken and her physical and mental growth will be further limited," continues WK. "She is at risk of the long-term and detrimental effects of malnutrition.”
Melany and many other WK patients are indigenous Guatemalans – one of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in the world. They live in rural areas and suffer from high rates of food insecurity.
For $512, we can fund a multifaceted treatment for Melany’s malnutrition. “This treatment will give Melany the growth monitoring, medication, micronutrient and food supplementation she needs to succeed. Her mother will receive nutrition education that will improve Melany’s health now and for years to come,” explains WK.
Melany's mother shares, “I am so happy to be a part of this program and hope my little girl will be able to recover from malnutrition soon.”