Meet Moises, an 18-month old baby boy from Guatemala. Moises lives with his parents and five siblings. Both of Moises’ parents are laborers at a local coffee farm. While they are away at work, Moises’ is cared for by his older siblings. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us, “Together, the children play with sticks of wood and climb the jocote trees – Moises just watches. He is a super relaxed child and doesn’t cry often.”
Due to acute malnutrition, “Moises’ immune system is weak and he is more than three standard deviations below both the average weight for his age and height for his age,” WK states.
Without enough calories and nutrients, Moises faces the risk of further health complications. WK explains, “Without intervention, Moises’ health will continue to worsen – his mental and physical growth will be stunted and he will be at risk of the long-term effects of malnutrition.”
For $535, Moises will receive intensive nutritional therapy. Nutritional supplements will be added into his diet to return essential nutrients to his body. He will also receive deworming medication protect him against infection.
Moises’ parents will be enrolled in a course on nutrition, teaching them how to provide a healthy diet for their children. “Intensive nutrition education will benefit not only Moises, but his other siblings, as his parents will have the educational tools necessary to prepare nutritious meals for all their children and be able to recognize the signs of malnutrition in the future,” says WK.
With an improved diet, Moises will grow at a faster rate and “his immune system will strengthen and he will avoid the devastating long-term effects of malnutrition,” WK says.
“We are so thankful for this program, and hope that with your help he will get better soon,” shares Moises’ mother.
