“We have such limited resources, and we could definitely not do this without your help,” shares Nilton’s mother.
“Nilton is an only child of two very devoted, young parents. Both his mother and father work in the field as farm workers, and his mother also weaves blouses at night to bolster the family income. Nilton likes to play, and is generally a very happy, active baby. He is extremely social and enjoys being held by anyone around regardless if he knows them well or not,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK).
“Nilton is below the average height and weight for his age due to malnutrition,” WK explains. “Nilton is 6-months-old, the age when children should be start to integrate solid food into their diet. This switch from breast milk to solid food adds a financial stress on the family, and oftentimes the parents do not know what and how to make this integration.”
“Generally, children tend to fall away from their growth curve, as parents continue to rely on breast milk as the primary or only source of nutrients,” WK continues. “The food supplied is low in nutrients and quantity. Without intervention we believe Nilton will fall away from his curve, and therefore experience developmental delays, physical growth limitations and a weak immune system.”
For $535, we can provide Nilton with food and supplementation, and provide his mother with several nutrition education classes that emphasize the importance of a diet balanced in protein, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins.
With treatment, “Nilton will begin to recoup the height and weight he has lost,” WK explains. “Over time his energy and ability to concentrate will improve. His immune system will strengthen and we anticipate he will have the ability to go far.”
