“Leidy is a generally happy child,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). They add that the one-year-old girl from Guatemala, “loves to play in her backyard with a tiny stuffed teddy bear her aunt gave her a couple months ago.”
Leidy’s parents work hard to support her. Her mother weaves blouses and her father, “spends most of his days out on the fields trying to make enough money to support the small family.”
WK explains, “when we met Leidy it was obvious she [has] malnutrition. Her height and weight are extremely low for her age.” Leidy also has common side-effects caused by malnutrition, such as diarrhea.
If untreated, Leidy is at risk of long-term health complications. “Leidy’s immune system will continue to weaken and she will be at risk for other illnesses and infections,” WK says.
With $535, Leidy will enter a 90-day micronutrient program to gradually improve her diet over time. She will also receive medication to protect her against infection and her parents will also receive an intensive education on healthy eating.
By responding to her condition early in life, Leidy will not face the “future devastating effects of malnutrition, and will [be given] the chance to live a healthy productive life,” WK comments.
Leidy’s mother adds, “thank you for the support you want to provide. Leidy is going to grow, and grow healthily. This is all I want.”