“My dream is for him to grow up and be able to study, but he is so sick so often. I am not sure that he will be able to do that without help. Thank you for wanting to help us,” shares Carlos’ mother.
Meet Carlos, a two-year-old infant from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us, “Carlos lives in an adobe mud house with his parents and six siblings. His mother washes, cooks, cleans, and cares for her seven children. His father looks for work as a day laborer doing construction or other odd jobs - this is inconsistent and pays poorly.”
Carlos was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. “Carlos was referred to the government health center for acute malnutrition,” WK reports, “Now, his mother says he is sick often and is losing weight. He previously had pneumonia and now his energy is weak. His height and weight are far below the average for his age. He does not have energy to play, and his mother worries that his health will continue to worsen. His father has an unstable job, and they barely have money to cover the bare necessities for Carlos and his six siblings.”
As a result of food insecurity and marginalization, indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. In addition to growth stunting, malnutrition can lead to lower IQ, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
$512 will fund the treatment Carlos needs to address his nutritional deficit and improve his low energy and subsequent limited mental potential. This involves micronutrient and food supplementation, deworming medication to rid Carlos of a parasitic infection, and nutrition education for his parents. With these combined efforts, Carlos will recoup his weight and height and strengthen his immune system, laying the foundation for a healthier future.
