Yaneli is an eight-year-old girl from Guatemala. She often feels too tired to play or go to school. She also experiences frequent headaches. Yaneli has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, she began malnutrition treatment on December 23, 2016.
Yaneli lives with her mother and two brothers in rural Guatemala. She is a sweet girl who loves to play with her little brother. She just finished second grade at her local elementary school. Yaneli’s mother is a single parent who works hard to provide for her children. Unfortunately, she cannot afford healthcare. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $512 to fund Yaneli’s treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Yaneli recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Yaneli a chance to grow healthy and strong.
“I looked for your help because I don’t have the resources that my daughter needs in order to be treated,” says Yaneli’s mother. “My wish is that she can get better and grow so that she can become a professional.”