Meet Gustavo, a baby boy who lives with his mother near Lake Atitlan in rural Guatemala. Gustavo’s mother says that “he loves to play with his toys.”
Even though Gustavo is 20 months old, he is only the size of a healthy six-month-old baby. His mother is very worried about her son because he is not growing.
Gustavo has malnutrition, a condition that has developed due to a lack of protein and nutrients in his diet. Gustavo’s mother works hard to look after the household but lacks the resources to provide her baby boy with a nutritious diet.
While malnutrition can lead to serious developmental problems, it is very treatable. Gustavo is scheduled to begin treatment on February 17. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $437 to pay for Gustavo’s treatment.
Gustavo will be given micronutrient and food supplements to support his recovery. Community health workers will teach Gustavo’s mother how to create nutritious meals for Gustavo. This treatment will give him the chance to grow up healthy and strong.
“I am so sad to see that my son is not growing,” says his mother. “He loves to play with his toys, especially when he can watch them fly. I hope that my son can grow up to study well and one day become a professional.”