“Once Betty gets to know you she is extremely outgoing and makes everyone laugh,” says our Guatemalan partner Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Betty is two-years-old and lives in Guatemala with her parents and three older sisters. WK tells us, “She loves to spend time with her older sisters, especially ‘playing kitchen’ and singing songs. She also likes to play with dolls in the afternoon.”
Right now, Betty is underweight and short for her age, which is causing her family to be concerned with her growth and nutrition. WK explains, “She’s suffered from a series of early childhood illnesses which put her behind and then her parents could not afford medical treatment to get her caught up.
Now, if she doesn’t get help, she is at high risk of permanent loss of her growth potential. Her dad does not have a regular job, and so food is tight. Betty usually has to skip meals or can only have porridges. Her diet is really lacking in protein and in vitamins.”
For $535, Betty will receive malnutrition treatment which includes food supplements, lab tests and medication. Betty’s parents tell WK that they hope she can “grow up to do well in school and hopefully to have a professional job.” Let’s help her get back on track so she can grow up healthy and make her parents proud!