Henoc is a two-year-old boy from Guatemala, but he is only the size of a healthy 11-month-old. His mother is worried about her son because he is not growing, has little appetite, and gets sick often.
Henoc 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.
Henoc is an affectionate child who loves to play with his toy car and dance with his older sister, Raquel. He lives with his family in a one-room house made of adobe. His father works as a day laborer on a local plantation, and his mother works in the house. 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 Henoc 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 Henoc a chance to grow healthy and strong.