Fight Rising Malnutrition in Rural Guatemala

When seven-year-old Mishel’s family found Wuqu’ Kawoq through word of mouth six years ago, Mishel was unable to walk. She was born with a bone disorder that results in short, thin, brittle bones and joint and leg pain and that left her bed ridden and created a variety of other health problems.

Her family had limited resources for help with her complex health conditions. Her father Don Manuel is a farmer who works fumigating onions, and her mother Dona Ana works at home washing clothes, cleaning, and weaving traditional Solola blouses.

Working with her family, the Wuqu’ Kawoq team has been able to help Mishel grow and thrive. She now has leg braces that help her get around and receives regular visits from our team to monitor her health and nutrition.

Today, she’s an elementary school student who enjoys playing with dolls and stuffed animals, riding her bike, and doing homework.

“Now Mishel is walking very well,” her mother said. “Every month, we see her improve.”

Working one-on-one with families to figure out the best way to help their children is one of the keys to our Family-Centered Nutrition Program. Families often know best what their children need and are the ones doing the work every day to help them improve.

Thank you for supporting this work so that Mishel and hundreds of children like her in rural Guatemala have brighter, stronger futures!