Gesilia, an 18-month-old girl, has not been growing as she should. Since her parents can’t afford to give her a diet rich in protein, fruits, and vegetables, she has fallen into chronic malnutrition. This has not only made her unable to grow bigger and taller, but has left her mental and motor development delayed–she still cannot walk, and never learned to crawl. Her chronic lack of nutritious foods has also weakened her immune system, making her more susceptible to frequent illness and leaving her without the energy to grow and play. If she does not receive treatment, she could face permanent consequences such as low IQ, behavioral disorders, and an increased risk of chronic diseases as an adult.
Gesilia lives with her family in a one-room home with a tin roof and a dirt floor. She loves to play with her doll, named Teti, which is her only toy. Her favorite food is scrambled eggs with cheese, but since her family cannot afford to feed her that very often. In fact, her family cannot afford to give her even one fruit, vegetable, or egg per day.
Growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and deworming medication will help Gesilia recover from malnutrition. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age. Her immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake, giving her more of an appetite and energy to grow and play. Her parents will receive the support they need to feel empowered to give Gesilia the diet she needs to grow and develop healthily, even with limited resources. Intervention now will give Gesilia the chance to live a healthy and productive life.
