Melany is an 11-month-old girl from Guatemala. She is underweight and small for her age. Melany has malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Melany has little energy to grow. Her immune system is weak, leaving her vulnerable to illnesses that further compromise her growth. She may also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
Melany began malnutrition treatment on October 28, 2016.
Melany lives with her family in an adobe home with a tin roof. Her father works as a day laborer, and her mother cooks, cleans, and takes care of her children. While Melany’s parents want the best for their daughter, their resources are already stretched thin. They cannot afford to pay for Melany’s $512 treatment.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients and food supplementation will help Melany recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Melany’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets, and it will give Melany a chance to grow healthily. Treatment will give her an opportunity to play and grow, supported by a healthy brain and body.