12-month-old Leydi lives in rural Guatemala with her parents and older brothers. She likes to play with her brothers and eat beans. Her father works in agriculture, and her mother takes care of the household and weaves.
Leydi has been diagnosed with malnutrion. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak, leaving her vulnerable to illness. If she does not receive treatment, Leydi will also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
Malnutrition is very treatable. On January 19, our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, will begin Leydi’s treatment of growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources.
Leydi’s mother says, “For my part, I’m going to do all I can for my daughter to recuperate her growth.”
Wuqu’ Kawoq is asking for $437 to fund Leydi’s treatment.