Kefri is a 6-month-old boy from Guatemala. His mother is very worried about her son because he is not growing, has little appetite, and is getting sick often. This is because his diet lacks protein, calories and nutrients.
Kefri 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.
Kefri is a sweet baby who loves to snuggle and play with stuffed animals. He lives with his parents and five older siblings in a one-room adobe house. His father works as a day laborer on a local plantation. His mother works in the house, cooking, cleaning, and weaving traditional Mayan textiles. Although both his parents work hard, they cannot afford this $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Kefri 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 Kefri a chance to grow healthy and strong.