Santos is a ten-month-old boy from Guatemala. His parents have trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Santos began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016.
Santos lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. His mother says that he is always playing with his toy car. He also loves to eat oranges. His father works as a day laborer on a bean plantation, but he cannot afford to pay for this $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Santos recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Santos a chance to grow healthy and strong.
“I am so appreciative that my son can receive this help,” says his mother. “It is going to be a big benefit for him, so he can grow a little more.”