Jay-ar is a 17-month-old boy living in the Philippines. His parents are separated, and he currently lives with his mother and grandmother in a house made of scrap materials. His father works as a construction worker, and he still supports Jay-ar financially. Unfortunately, there are times when he is unable to send money to Jay-ar.
Jay-ar has been diagnosed with severe 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.
Jay-ar began malnutrition treatment on October 19. 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. Jay-ar’s mother needs help to fund this $268 program.
Following his treatment, Jay-ar’s nutrition will improve and his risk of complications and fatality will significantly decrease. His mother hopes “to see Jay-ar growing up healthy and finishing school.”
