Jon is a four-year-old boy from the Philippines. He loves to play with toy cars and superhero action figures. His favorite superhero is Captain America. Jon was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Beginning on June 28, Jon will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Jon with nutrient enriched food packs to help him gain weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. The program will also teach his family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their son. ICM is requesting $173 to cover the cost of Jon's ongoing care. "I hope that my child Jon can recover from malnutrition and grow strong and healthy," says his mother.

Benjie is a one-year-old boy living in a wood and cement house with his parents. He has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens his growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, he will begin $268 malnutrition treatment on February 22. Benjie will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. His mother says, "My dream for Benjie is for him to become a pastor and to finish his studies."