18-month-old Sindy is malnourished. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak, leaving her vulnerable to illness. If her malnutrition continues, Sindy will also face long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
Sindy lives with her parents and older sister in rural Guatemala. She likes to play with her toy pots and pans. Her father is a day laborer. Her mother works in the fields and takes care of the household. While Sindy’s parents want the best for their daughter, their limited resources are already stretched thin.
“First,” says Sindy’s mother, “I want to see her better and to keep growing, and after to go to school to study and decide what she wants to be in life.”
With growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation, Sindy can recover. As her caloric and nutritional intake increases, she will gain weight and grow taller, and her immune system will strengthen. Her treatment will begin on January 12.
Full treatment costs $437. Through our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, your donation will help pay for micronutrient supplements, dietary staples, and community health workers to consult with Sindy’s mother.
“I thank you,” says Sindy’s mother, “because you all are going to give my daughter the support she needs.”
