This is Edy, the 20-month-old baby from Guatemala, born into a loving family of eight children. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, shares that although Edy is quite weak due to his malnutrition, he is a spirited boy who “puts a lot of effort into playing with his toy car, which he loves to share with his siblings.”
Edy’s father works in the fields harvesting coffee, but that is not enough to cover the family’s costs. Unfortunately, Edy is often ill, having been hospitalized twice; once for malnutrition and once for being anemic. At the time, Wuqu’ Kawoq summarizes, “his parents did not understand that this was affecting his growth, and now Edy is acutely malnourished. His parents do not have the money to give him the iron-rich, caloric, and healthy foods he needs, so they have not been able to help him grow, and he has continued to get sick due to his weakened immune system.”
With $512 in funds, Edy can receive the medication, vitamins, and respite that he needs. Wuqu’ Kawoq will provide “food supplements, growth monitoring, deworming medication, and his parents will receive motivational nutrition education.”
This regimen of treatment ensures that Edy will develop as a healthy child without fear of “stunted neurodevelopment, increased risk of chronic disease, and behavioral problems.” His mother shares her appreciation: “We feel sad that our son keeps getting sick and he does not eat when he gets sick. Sometimes we do not know what to do because his situation makes us scared, but that’s why we are so glad that we can get your support.”
