By Andrea Enriquez | Communication and Development Assistant
Aly, two years and three months old, is a source of joy and inspiration in her household. She loves playing with her dolls, toy dishes, and cars. Her creativity shines as she imitates cooking and “sells” her meals, delighting her mother, Rosa. When Lucrecia, a nutrition technician from Wuqu' Kawoq, arrives at Aly's home, the first thing she notices is how excited the little girl is to be weighed.
When Aly entered our Family-Centered Nutrition program in February, an evaluation revealed growth delays. From that point, Lucrecia began monthly home visits, providing nutritional counseling and encouragement to Rosa. During one of these visits, she observed that Rosa had difficulty getting her daughter to eat nutritional supplements with her meals. Lucrecia provided recommendations on how to incorporate the supplements and improve Aly’s diet.
Thanks to this guidance, Rosa now provides the supplements daily and offers a variety of nutritious foods. Rosa has been motivated by seeing the improvements in diet reflected in her daughter’s health; Aly has gained height and weight. Her mother looks forward to seeing her continue to grow healthy and strong, and makes an effort every day to provide her with the best nutrition possible.
Child malnutrition remains one of the most significant health issues in Guatemala, with rates approaching 70% in some rural, Maya communities. Malnutrition and stunting in the first years of life not only pose immediate health threats, but can also compromise future education, employment, and health prospects.
We partner with caregivers of 800 children a year in the first 1,000 days of life to foster children’s growth and development. Nurses and nutrition technicians work with families to watch for key developmental milestones and to find sources for healthy, diverse nutrition using locally available foods. Thank you for standing with us in the fight against malnutrition. With your help, we will keep working to ensure that every child in Guatemala has the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.
By Andrea Enriquez | Communication and Development Assistant
By Andrea Enriquez | Communication and Development Assistant
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