Fight Rising Malnutrition in Rural Guatemala

In 2021, Hilda López became concerned when her second child did not seem to be growing as expected. She connected with Wuqu' Kawoq, which was just starting the Family-Centered Nutrition Program in her community of Nueva Concepción, and the López family became one of the first participants. Working together with the Wuqu' Kawoq team, Hilda was able to support her son in reaching a healthy weight and height. 

When her third son Samuel was born in 2024, Hilda noted signs of delayed growth and again reached out to the Wuqu' Kawoq team for guidance and support. Samuel, who is 14 months old, joined the program in February 2024 and was diagnosed with moderate growth delay. 

Samuel not only receives nutritious foods like beans, eggs, and nutritional supplements, but his mother Hilda also has the opportunity to refresh her understanding of vital aspects of care for her son, like nutrition, hygiene, and breastfeeding. Through monthly visits, Samuel receives follow-up to ensure his healthy development.

Cooking with products from her small garden, Hilda is able to provide her family with varied and healthy meals in spite of the economic challenges of buying vegetables in the community. In May, Samuel reached his ideal height and weight. There is still much work to be done in the coming months to ensure that this progress continues on a promising and sustainable path.

Hilda did not have the opportunity to receive formal education and wishes for a different story for her children. She strives for Samuel and his siblings to have health and opportunities for a promising future. She hopes that with the care and support they receive, her children can achieve their dreams, whether becoming nurses, teachers, or another profession of their choice.

Odilma, a 20-year-old first-time mother, was uncertain which foods were suitable for her daughter Esteisy, and she feared that her daughter was not growing as she should be. It was then, while walking through the hills of San Juan Ostuncalco, that she met Karen, a technician with Wuqu’ Kawoq's Family-Centered Nutrition Program. 

Karen examined Esteisy and determined she had moderate growth delay. Since December 2023, the little girl, who is now 22 months old, has been part of the program, receiving monthly home visits to measure her progress and provide her with basic foods, as well as nutritional supplements. In March 2024, Esteisy reached adequate levels of height and weight for her age, and she continued with the program for another two months with the aim of reaching 80 centimeters in height by age two.

Odilma has diligently collaborated with the Family-Centered Nutrition Program, following recommendations to ensure her daughter's well-being. She is convinced that proper nutrition will not only allow Esteisy to grow healthy and strong and also give her the energy and ability to go to school in the future and build a life with more opportunities. Before, Esteisy ate very little, but now she wakes up very early, and her first activity of the day is to eat her breakfast.