Jose, a nine-month-old baby boy from Guatemala, lives with his older brother and his parents in a one-room renal house made of wood and tin. He loves to dance when he listens to music. His mother works at home cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her children, while his father is a day laborer who harvests corn, beans, and squash. Jose’s father makes only a couple of dollars per day when there’s work. Although Jose’s parents work hard, they do not have the resources to feed him the minimum that he needs to reach a healthy height and weight.
Jose’s mother has been worried since she has noticed that her son has not been growing well, has little appetite, and is getting sick often. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition as a result of a diet lacking in protein, calories, and nutrients. Malnutrition has weakened Jose’s immune system, making him unable to fight off common illnesses. In the past two weeks he developed a gastrointestinal condition that is dangerous for a child suffering from malnutrition.
If he does not receive treatment, Jose risks stunted development that could leave him with a lower IQ and difficulty focusing in school. He will also be at risk for developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, as an adult. All of these factors make it less likely that he will secure a well-paying job as an adult, meaning the cycle of poverty and malnutrition may continue if he decides to have children.
In order to combat his malnutrition, Jose requires a $512 regimen of growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and deworming medication. This will save his life now and put him on track to live a better life in the future. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age. His immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake, which will further increase his appetite and help him use the extra calories to develop mentally rather than to fend off frequent illness.
Jose’s mother will receive support, empowering her to give Jose the diet he needs to grow and develop healthily, even with limited resources. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition and give Jose the chance to live a healthy and productive life. He will be able to finish school, get a good job, and escape the cycle of malnutrition and poverty that made him sick in the first place.
“We dream that our son goes to university one day,” says Jose’s mother.