Kevin is a 15-month-old boy from Guatemala. His parents have had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. For this reason, he is only the size of a healthy seven-month-old.
Kevin has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, he began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016.
Kevin lives with his mother and older siblings in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. His older sister takes care of him, so both of his parents can work as day laborers on a local plantation. While Kevin’s parents want the best for their son, their resources are already stretched thin. They cannot afford to pay for his $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Kevin recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Kevin a chance to grow healthy and strong.
“We are a family with few resources, so this is going to benefit my son in a big way,” says Kevin’s mother. “Now I can give my son the best foods, so I can improve the health and growth of my little boy.”