Vilma is a one-year-old girl, and the second child of a very young couple. She lives with her four-year-old sister, Clara, and their parents in Guatemala. Her father provides for the family by working on a farm, while her mother cares for the two girls and tends to the home.
Vilma was recently diagnosed with acute malnutrition. “Although Vilma’s family wants to provide her with all the tools necessary to live a healthy life, they are currently unsure how to do so,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Her weight and height are far below the average for her age, and she is at risk for the long-term negative effects from malnutrition.”
As a result of low caloric intake, Vilma has low energy and has not grown like other children. A low caloric intake will also damage Vilma’s immune system and make her susceptible to infections and illness such as pneumonia, which can be very dangerous.
“If left untreated, Vilma will start to miss developmental milestones,” continues WK. “She will have low energy, and be unable to develop to her full mental potential, thus limiting her ability to concentrate and go far in school.”
A simple treatment plan can help Vilma and her family break the cycle of malnutrition. For $535, Vilma will receive food supplements and micronutrient support. This treatment will physically bolster Vilma’s ability to recoup her height and weight, and her immune system will be strengthened which will help her combat infections and illnesses.
To ensure that Vilma and her sister are set up for long term developmental success, the treatment cost will also fund nutritional education for their parents to teach them how to foster healthy nutritional habits for the family. This will give the girls the necessary long term support to reach her physical and developmental potential, and Vilma will be able to fulfill her mother’s wish of pursuing her education. Let’s help out Vilma and her family!
