Even though Maria is 13 months old, she is the size of a healthy 6 month old. This is because her parents have not been able to afford to feed her a diet rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. This has not only prevented her from growing, but has weakened her immune system and caused her developmental delays. This means she is frequently sick and does not have the energy to play, or learn to crawl or walk. If she does not receive treatment, she could face permanent consequences–such as a low IQ, and a risk of having diabetes or hypertension as an adult.
Maria lives with her family in a humble one-room house made of wood and tin. Her father works as a day laborer on a rubber plantation–often earning only a dollar or two per day, when there is work for him. Her mother works taking care of her, cooking, and cleaning. Despite their hard work, they cannot afford to give Maria the minimum she needs to recover–one fruit, vegetable, and egg per day.
Growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and deworming medication will help Maria recover from malnutrition. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age. Her immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake, giving her more of an appetite and energy to grow and play. Her parents will receive the support they need to feel empowered to give Maria the diet she needs to grow and develop healthily, even with limited resources. Intervention now will give Maria the chance to live a healthy and productive life.
Her mother said, “I’m worried about my daughter’s growth. I can see that she isn’t growing. My dream is to see her recover her height and weight so it doesn’t affect her in the future.”
