Antony is an 11-month-old boy from Guatemala. He was born prematurely, and since birth he has experienced frequent illness. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Antony began malnutrition treatment on November 14, 2016.
Antony lives with his parents and grandparents in rural Guatemala. He is an active baby who likes to crawl and play with his neighbor. His father works odd jobs to support the family. While his parents want the best for their son, their resources are already stretched thin. They cannot afford to pay for Antony’s $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Antony recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Antony a chance to grow healthy and strong.
“Sometimes I despair because I don’t what to do with him,” says Antony’s mother. “That is why I turn to you all, to ask for your help so that my son can get better. I’m grateful for what you will do for my son, because when he is big I want him to be a doctor and attend to patients.”