11-month-old Eliezer lives with his parents, four-year-old sister, and grandparents in rural Guatemala. Since his birth, he has had bouts of coughing and fever. When he is sick, he eats and plays little. His mother has tried to help Eliezer with medication, but he is losing weight and continues to get sick. Eliezer is not receiving enough calories, protein, and nutrients to sustain his growth and immune system. He has been diagnosed with malnutrition.
Eliezer will begin malnutrition treatment on January 12. His treatment will be simple, involving nutritional supplements and dietary staples, such as eggs and beans. His mother will receive in-home nutrition education, so she will learn low-cost ways to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $437 for Eliezer’s treatment.
Eliezer’s mother says, “I would really like to see my son get better and for him to be able to grow well, so that one day he can be a teacher in our community.”
For now, Eliezer enjoys playing with his toy car, crawling, and walking with the help of his family. Treatment will give Eliezer a chance to grow into a healthy, energetic baby.