Antony is a 14-month-old little boy from rural Guatemala. He is an active toddler who likes to play with toy cars and eat eggs. His mother is a single parent who uses dying thread to make traditional textiles.
When Antony was an infant, he received Watsi funding to supply him with formula. The formula helped him grow, but he is still small for his age. Antony’s malnutrition means he has little energy to grow and his immune system is weak. If Antony does not receive treatment, he will also face the long-term consequences of malnutrition, including an increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and a higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $437 to fund growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation. This treatment will allow Antony to gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age. Community health workers will teach his mother how to create a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Treatment begins on January 23.
“I would like to see my son grow well, and in the future, manage to better himself as a person and as a professional,” says Antony’s mother.