Edwin is ten months old and has malnutrition. He lives with his parents in rural Guatemala. He loves his teddy bear and toy car, and his favorite foods are mandarin oranges. Edwin is the only child of his doting parents. His father works in agriculture, and his mother takes care of Edwin and their home.
In the short term, malnutrition means Edwin has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak. If Edwin does not receive treatment, he will also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Edwin recover. On February 16, he will begin treatment with our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq. During the program, community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Wuqu’ Kawoq is requesting $437 to fund his treatment.
During treatment, Edwin will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake.
“We are thankful to God for the great blessing we have been given,” says his father.