“Keyner is a happy baby. He loves to play with his neighbors and cousins. The other kids enjoy having him around, and often times call him hermanito (‘little brother’) even if they are unrelated to him," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK).
This baby brother to all is Keyner, a six-month-old boy from Guatemala. Shortly after his birth, Keyner’s father left his family. Keyner lives with his mother, who has been unable to breastfeed due to lactation failure.
Keyner has been subsiding on “atol, typically consisting of boiled water and pulverized corn," says WK. "However, without the immune resistance from him mother’s breast milk, Keyner’s immune system has become extremely weak. He was admitted to the hospital for 15 days due to a high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. He is rapidly losing weight and in constant need of medical attention.”
Thankfully, lactation failure is easily solved. With $1,220, WK will provide “nutrition education, formula supplementation, and deworming medication" for Keyner and his mother.
"His diarrhea due to a parasitic infection will stop, he will recoup previously lost weight, and his immune system will strengthen," WK adds.
“I want my child to be able to study and become a professional… not like me. I have never studied, and now I cannot get a job to support us," shares Keyner's mother. "I want to see my baby grown, to see him smiling and walking. Above all I want to be the one to bring up my son.”