Zaren is an eight-month old baby boy living with his parents in the Philippines. He is a curious boy, who loves to pick up and play with things. He loves being in his mother’s company. Zaren’s family lives in a small house made of wood and metal sheets, and they share electricity and water with the district. His father supports his family by working as a fisherman.
Zaren was diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition by our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases.
Fortunately, Zaren began ICM’s malnutrition treatment program on October 17, 2016.
ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and organic vegetable gardening. The total cost of the resources and support is $184, and Zaren’s family needs financial assistance.
Zaren’s family hopes that he will grow up strong and healthy with the nutritional guidance and treatment.