Mildred is a 13-month-old girl from Guatemala, but she is only the size of a healthy seven-month-old. She experiences frequent coughs, fevers, and gastrointestinal infections. She has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Mildred began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016.
Mildred loves to play with her mother and her older brother, Estuardo. She lives with her family in a one-room tin house. Her father works as a day laborer, harvesting crops on a local plantation. Her mother weaves traditional Mayan textiles, takes care of Mildred, and cooks for the family. 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 Mildred recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Mildred a chance to grow healthy and strong.