Juan is a ten-month-old boy from Guatemala. His mother has had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Juan began malnutrition treatment on November 28, 2016.
Juan loves to play with his toy cars and eat squash. He lives with his three older siblings and his mother in an adobe house with a tin roof. His mother is raising her children alone, and she is currently unemployed. She cannot afford this $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Juan recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Juan a chance to grow healthy and strong.