When four-year-old Shanita from Uganda feels well, she "likes to play children’s games like jumping rope, although the village children use vines to make ropes," our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation, shares. "She also likes to help her mother with the chores like gardening and sweeping. On Sundays the family goes to church."
Shanita lives with her younger brother and parents on a small plot of land. Her parents work as farm laborers, and are unable to grow their own food or generate enough income to provide a diverse and nutritious diet. Because of this "Shanita has severe malnutrition," shares the Kellermann Foundation.
Along with being under the recommended weight for her height, she also has "oedema and a respiratory infection brought on by reduced immunity." Severe malnutrition like Shanita's poses significant long term effects if not treated, including stunted mental and physical development, and a permanently suppressed immune system.
Along with working on local farms, Shanita's "father also picks tea to earn a little money." Despite this, the family is unable to pay for her care, but have contributed $1 towards the cost of treatment. $375 covers the rest of the cost of medicines to fight her infections, blood tests, and a 10-day hospital stay.
"It has been difficult to make enough to support our whole family," Shanita's mother shares. "Thank you so much for the help. We will be very glad when Shanita is healthy again "