Cristina is a 22-month-old baby girl from Guatemala. Her mother takes care of her, while her father works as a shop attendant. Cristina and her mother love to play with her stuffed animals.
Cristina has been battling malnutrition from birth. She has very little energy, and she is often sick because her immune system is weak. If left untreated, her malnutrition can have long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
Cristina was admitted to a recuperation center for severely malnourished children last year. Since then, she has gained a little weight, but she is once again having difficulty growing.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), will provide growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation to help Cristina recover. WK will begin Cristina’s nutritional plan on April 10 and is asking for $837 to fund the plan.
Cristina is expected to gain weight and grow taller. In addition, her immune system will become stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources.
Cristina’s mother shares, “I want my daughter to gain weight and be a healthy and happy girl.”