“My wish is for my son to grow equally to the other kids, to become big and to go to school,” shares Fredy’s mother.
One-year-old Fredy is from Guatemala, and is the youngest of seven brothers. “When work is available, Fredy’s dad heads to the mountains to tend to cornfields, or collect firewood to sell,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Fredy’s mom did not realize she was pregnant again, and because of their poverty, she was not taking suffient care of her health. When Fredy was born a couple weeks early, he was so small his mom was very scared that he might die. Now, she is not producing enough milk to feed Fredy and she cannot afford formula as it is too expensive, and she has many mouths to feed in her family.”
“For a new born baby, access to maternal milk is critical,” continues WK. “If milk supply is poor, the baby will begin to lose weight. This almost immediately begins to have impact on potential brain development and, if it is not caught quickly and reversed, it can lead to death.”
For $1,220, we can treate Fredy for malnutrition and dehydration, and ensure that he develops normally.
“This treatment will save Fredy’s brain and his life,” WK adds. “It will promote normal growth of the brain, and guarantee he has a chance to lead normal and highly functional life at his full potential.”