Ariel is a six-month-old baby from the rural highlands of Guatemala. He loves to play with his toy rattle and rock on his favorite wooden chair. Ariel lives with his mother, while his father works as a sugarcane cutter on Guatemala’s coast.
Ariel is already malnourished. His mother cannot produce breastmilk, so Ariel is underweight and small for his age. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration for a young child. It can also provoke electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this time is critical, and the baby could be at risk of long-term damage.
To stabilize his condition, Ariel was given a preliminary supply of formula, which will last until a nutritionist can create a nutrition plan and formally begin treatment. Wuqu’ Kawoq is requesting $1,162 to fund a nutritional treatment program. Ariel is scheduled to begin treatment on April 27.
With the appropriate education and diet plan, Ariel’s immune system will strengthen, and he will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby.