Keyli is the youngest of three kids, and she lives with her siblings and parents in a one-room house made of tar and tin in Guatemala. Her mother works at home, cooking and cleaning, and her father works as a day laborer, only receiving a about three dollars for every day he works. This means that expensive formula is out of reach for their family—even though they realize that this is a life-saving treatment.
Keyli is two weeks old and is in danger of acute malnutrition if she does not receive treatment. Her mother has been evaluated by our medical team, and cannot produce breastmilk, leaving her without any option but to give her daughter sugar water to make her stop crying. Lactation failure can lead to the child becoming starving, dehydrated, and provoke electrolyte imbalances that can cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time is compromised and the baby is at risk of long term damage.
Lactation failure, while dangerous, is easy to treat. By supplying the baby with formula and the mother with health education, Keyli will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Keyli’s mother will prepare her for when she needs to start eating solid food, as well as help her watch for further signs of malnutrition and other illness. Keyli’s immune system will strengthen and she will grow up to be a healthy energetic baby.
“I feel really sad that my daughter is going to get sick and lose weight. I want to see my daughter grow well so she can go to school and graduate as a nurse so she can help other people,” Keyli’s mother shared. “I appreciate the help that my daughter is going to receive from you all.”