Meet Glenda, a 20-month-old baby who lives in Guatemala with her parents and six older siblings. Her favorite toy is a doll that was given to her by her siblings and her favorite fruit is an orange.
Glenda has acute malnutrition. “Her mother and father knew she was malnourished because the community health center told them when they weighed her,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, explains. “Glenda is far below the average height and weight for her age. Without intervention, Glenda’s weight and height will continue to fall away from the curve and she will be at risk for the long-term effects of malnutrition.”
“Her physical and mental development and growth will be stunted, preventing her from reaching her full potential,” Wuqu’ Kawoq continues. “Her immune system will continue to weaken and her parents will likely have to spend money (that they do not have) on medication and medical consultation.”
$535 covers the full treatment cost to get Glenda back on a normal growth curve. “This treatment will supply Glenda with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication needed to increase her overall caloric intake,” Wuqu’ Kawoq says. “Her mother will receive intensive nutrition education, thus building her confidence and ability to care for Glenda throughout her childhood. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Glenda the chance to live a healthy and productive life.”
“This work is good,” shares Glenda’s mother. “With this support, we can improve the quality of food for our child. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to enter in this program.”