“I hope that my son will finish his studies, have a good job, and own a house and car someday,” says Jan’s mother. Jan is a three-year-old boy from the Philippines who loves playing with toys. He lives with his family in a house made of plywood and half-hollow blocks. Jan’s father works as a laborer, and he struggles to provide the family’s basic needs.
In communities served by Watsi’s medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), one out of five children under the age of five is either moderately or severely acutely malnourished. As a result of his family’s lack of income, Jan is moderately acutely malnourished. This means that his diet lacks adequate calories and nutrients.
Without proper treatment, Jan risked delayed physical and mental development. Fortunately, he began malnutrition treatment on October 17, 2016. ICM’s home-based feeding program will provide Jan with nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure that he gains weight and achieves optimum physical and mental development. His family needs help to pay for this $184 treatment.
Staff members and volunteers at ICM will make weekly visits to Jan to monitor his progress in the program. In addition, they will educate his parents about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. This education will help Jan’s parents provide for a healthy childhood.