Fight Rising Malnutrition in Rural Guatemala

Greetings, wonderful supporters of Wuqu’ Kawoq. We could not be more grateful for you at this time.

More and more, we are seeing children in rural Guatemala on the brink of falling from chronic malnutrition into acute malnutrition. In other words, they’re in danger of starving to death. 

This situation is likely to get worse in the coming months as we move through hambre estacional, or seasonal hunger. Every year from April through September, between harvests, families’ corn and bean reserves run out. At the same time, the rainy season arrives, bringing the threat of flooding, contaminated water, and diarrhea, and putting children at even greater risk. 

A recent government analysis from the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security (SESAN) indicated that more than a quarter of all families in Guatemala are likely to experience food shortages in the coming season due to rising prices for food, fertilizer, and fuel.

To learn more, watch this video from Lily Ajú, manager of our Family-Centered Nutrition Program. Her update comes from the hills of Chuatuznuj in the Department of Quiché, where the Wuqu’ Kawoq team gathered to plant trees to help combat climate change in Guatemala. We know that to nurture our people, we also need to nurture our planet!

Our heartfelt thanks for helping us stay strong in these difficult times!

Links:

• Video update from Lily Aju
• Learn more about Wuqu' Kawoq.

With your support, we have been able to scale up our fight against child malnutrition in rural Guatemala throughout the Covid pandemic. Our nutrition technologists have provided nutritional supplements and personalized care to hundreds of children and their families, with very promising results.

Just one example is Diego, pictured above, who suffered from chronic malnutrition when he entered our program. After taking time to build trust with his mother in her language of Kaqchikel, our techs were able to help her find food and recipes to nourish her young son. By the time he graduated from our program, he had reached normal height and weight, crucial aspects for his future health and success.  

In addition to providing nutrition care, we now are offering a phone app that helps caregivers track and nurture developmental milestones such as talking and walking so their children don’t fall behind.

We also are launching a Master Class to share our successful Family-Centered Nutrition approach with other organizations fighting the growing problem of malnutrition across the country. Many families in rural, indigenous communities are still struggling as a result of the pandemic, climate change, and poor governance. Guatemala has the highest rate of malnutrition and stunting in Latin America – as high as 80% in the communities where we work -  and the fourth highest malnutrition rate in the world. 

You have played an essential role in helping to respond to this crisis! We hope you will consider continuing your support with a gift in honor of Mother's Day! 

Links:

• Learn more about Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance