Success! Anderson from Guatemala raised $512 to treat acute malnutrition.

100%

$512 raised, $0 to go

$512

raised

to go

Anderson's story
Anderson's update

December 16, 2015

“I hope my Anderson will grow well and he will get sick hardly ever in the coming years,” says the mother of Anderson, a 21-month-old baby from Guatemala. According to our medical partner Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), “Anderson lives in a small adobe and wood house with his brother and parents. Anderson’s brother loves to play soccer with him and teach him how to kick the ball. Together they organize their toys and help their mom by cleaning up the trash around the house.”

Anderson is acutely malnourished. WK says, “He is frequently sick with diarrhea and fevers. Without intervention…he will be stunted both physically and mentally and will be at increased risk of the long-term effects of malnutrition. His mother wants to help in any way she can, but she told our staff that she currently does not feel she has the economic means or the education to do so.”

For $512, Anderson can receive treatment for his acute malnourishment. Children enrolled in WK’s recuperative nutrition program receive several months of intensive intervention, which includes an evaluation for thyroid disease, anemia, and intestinal infections and weekly monitoring visits to the home by doctors. Anderson will also receive food supplements to reintroduce essential micronutrients into his diet.

To prevent the issue from recurring, WK will enroll Anderson’s mother in an intensive nutrition course, teaching her how to provide healthy food within their family’s means. “Although Anderson’s family wants to provide him with all the tools necessary to live a healthy life, they are currently unsure how to do so and lack sufficient resources…The education will give Anderson’s mother the tools they need to continue providing nutrition to their child after treatment is complete,” says WK.

“This intervention will prevent Anderson for suffering from the long term effects of malnutrition. He will overcome his fever and will have the support needed to reach his full mental and physical potential, thus giving him the capacity to concentrate well and fulfill his mother’s wish of going far in school.”

“I hope my Anderson will grow well and he will get sick hardly ever in the coming years,” says the mother of Anderson, a 21-month-old baby f...

Photo of Anderson post-operation

April 21, 2016

Anderson received treatment for acute malnutrition.

“I am so content that my son is finally growing and eating well,” shares Anderson’s mother.

“Since beginning treatment, Anderson’s health has been improving significantly. He has gained weight and gotten taller. His mother has noticed that he has more energy now, and has been exploring more of the world around him, especially now that he can walk,” explains his doctor at Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK).

“Anderson’s mother is working hard to apply all of her knowledge from the nutrition classes she is receiving and is hopeful for the future,” continues WK. “His mother is especially thrilled that Anderson has not gotten sick in the past two months—now that his immune system is stronger, he can now use that energy to grow bigger and taller instead of fighting off frequent sicknesses.”

"I am so content that my son is finally growing and eating well," shares Anderson's mother. "Since beginning treatment, Anderson’s healt...

December 16, 2015
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Anderson was submitted by Katia Cnop, Watsi Account Volunteer at Wuqu’ Kawoq.
December 23, 2015
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Anderson received treatment at Clinic Panajachel in Guatemala. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
December 31, 2015
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Anderson's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 31, 2015
FULLY FUNDED
Anderson's treatment was fully funded.
April 21, 2016
TREATMENT UPDATE
Anderson's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 7 donors

Treatment

Acute Malnutrition

Diagnosis
Procedure

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Children generally face stunted physical growth, delayed mental and motor development, low appetite, and frequent illness. Malnourished children have weakened immune systems that put them at risk of diarrhea, fevers, and respiratory illnesses. This treatment treats growth failure in small children usually under 2 years of age. The most common form of growth failure in children in Guatemala is called stunting. This is a form of malnutrition where weight is relatively normal but height is severely reduced.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Stunting has major effects on the developing brain. Stunted children have low IQ and they don’t make major developmental milestones. These effects persist into adulthood, where they impact schooling and economic potential. Furthermore, stunting contributes to the development of serious adult illness like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Indigenous Guatemalans are one of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in the world. They live in rural areas and suffer from high rates of food insecurity. The poorest indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Children enrolled in our recuperative nutrition program receive about 1-4 months of intensive intervention, depending on the severity of the case. All of this care is delivered in the home in a personalized fashion. Most require a basic laboratory evaluation to look for thyroid disease, anemia, and intestinal infections. Acute infections are rapidly treated with antibiotics. Then a specialized case manager and nutritionist make weekly or every other week educational and health monitoring visits to the home. An assessment of food insecurity is conducted using standardized instruments and food is often provided to help bolster acute recovery. Micronutrient supplementation is provided.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment saves brains. Appetite and growth and developmental milestones recover, and height begins to rise once again. The immediate outcome is improved overall child health, including reduced vulnerability to severe infections. The long term outlook is improved cognitive potential, school completion, and economic prospects. Nearly 100% of children will experience improve appetite, energy, and development. At least 75% of children will have noticeable improvement in growth parameters. The effects of the intervention extend to other children in the home; since the approach is highly educational, parents learn how to care for other children and prevent this from occurring subsequently.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is treatable, and no risks for treatment exists.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Treatment for malnutrition is incredibly inaccessible in Guatemala. Populations are rural and don’t have access to intensive nutritional intervention and education. Public sector approaches are too low intensity to make a difference for these children.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no real alternatives to our program. Many organizations and governmental entities provide basic preventative care, but once a child is already malnourished these approaches are no longer effective. Most children fail prevention and therefore need our help.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

29-year-old Nathaniel is a hardworking father from the Philippines. Through his work as a housekeeper, he supports his wife, daughter and stepdaughter. Nathaniel has been living with an indirect inguinal hernia for many years. He has been doing hard, physical work ever since he was eight years old, and has been experiencing symptoms for quite a while. When his pain increased dramatically, he sought medical advice for the first time, and has been advised to undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Nathaniel access the treatment that he needs. He is now scheduled for surgery on January 20th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. While a portion of the cost of Nathaniel's procedure will be paid for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, World Surgical Foundation Philippines is seeking your help to cover the remaining $1,103. Nathaniel said: "Thank you very much for your help. Your help will not go in vain because when I recover, I will still continue to be a provider and a good father to my daughters. I am not the only one who will benefit from this surgery, but my family too, so I am very grateful."

Esther is a 48-year-old mother of two adult children. She is a sales lady and her husband is an accountant. During her free time, Esther listens to gospel music and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour served with fish and beans. In 2021, she experienced abdominal pain and other worrying symptoms. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids or abnormal growths in the uterus. She was given some medications that helped reduce the growth of the fibroids. Once her symptoms disappeared, she stopped taking the medications. However, the symptoms came back and the doctors at Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) recommended for her to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for $1,363 for the procedure that will take place on March 2nd. After the surgery, it is expected that Esther's symptoms will disappear. Esther looks forward to being able to perform her daily tasks and going back to work.

Aye is a 41-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, her husband, and 11-year-old son. She used to work as a tailor but has been unemployed since her symptoms started in 2021. Her mother is retired and her husband works as a motorbike taxi driver, making him the sole provider for the family. Aye was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backward. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, she experiences rapid breathing, fatigue when walking, trembling when doing something, and difficulty sleeping at night. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Aye. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 13th at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. After the surgery, Aye is expected to have a better quality of life. Aye said, "I enjoy gardening planting different types of vegetables around my house. I hope to go back and work in the same job sewing clothes again once I am recovered."

Anderson's Timeline

Share Anderson's story

Funded by 7 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.