Erica, a seven-month-old girl from Guatemala, lives with with her parents and four older siblings in an adobe mud house. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) says, “Erica is a playful little girl who likes to be with her sister while their mother works to embroider blouses.”
Erica has acute malnutrition and is far below the average height and weight for her age. WK states, “At the moment Erica’s diet is mainly liquid – breast milk, the juice that is created when soaking beans, and atole, a corn based drink.”
WK explains that without nutrient-rich solid foods, “Erica is already showing developmental delays—at seven months she cannot yet sit on her own and is not yet babbling—developmental markers that a normal developing child should do at this age.”
For $512, Erica will undergo nutrition therapy to treat her acute malnutrition. She will receive micronutrient food supplements and will be closely monitored as she continues to grow.
WK adds, “Erica’s mother will receive intensive nutrition education, thus building her confidence and ability to care for Erica and other children throughout their childhood.”
This treatment will give Erica the opportunity to develop healthily during her childhood. WK says, “Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition and give Erica the chance to live a healthy productive life.”
Her mother shares, “Thank you for wanting to help us. I can hardly believe it.”