“Jose loves to play with plastic balls and little cars passed down to him from his older siblings,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “He is 12-months-old, and is the youngest of three children. His father is a coffee farmer, but has not had a job for several months due to drought.”
A young Guatemalan boy, Jose was diagnosed with acute malnutrition, commonly known as stunting. Stunting is the most common form of growth failure in children in Guatemala. This condition has long-term health effects, including a weakened immune system and delayed brain development.
Children who are malnourished often miss important developmental milestones and have a low IQ. If left untreated, Jose will later be at risk for developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
WK explains, “When we visited him in his home our team recorded that his height and weight was well below the average for his age, and he was suffering from a cough and chronic diarrhea. His energy level was low, and his diarrhea was preventing him from gaining weight or absorbing the nutrients he needs to develop normally.”
For $512, Jose will receive treatment for acute malnutrition. Treatment includes growth monitoring, micronutrient food supplementation, and medication to treat his respiratory infection. Treatment also includes intensive nutritional education for his parents, which will benefit both Jose and his siblings’ health.
WK tells us that following treatment, “He will recover from his cough, and his diarrhea will subside. His energy will increase, and he will have the capacity to learn and eventually succeed in school.”
Jose’s mother shares, “It is so hard sometimes to give them what I know they need. We are poor, we are trying our best, and sometimes it is not enough. Thank you for wanting to help us.”