Manos Abiertas(Est. 2008) is a non-profit birthcenter serving women and children who have limited access to quality health care. Our Goal amount guarantees free access to pediatric care 2x a week for 1 whole year! Dr. Acajabon focuses on growth/weight monitoring in an area where malnutrition is rampant, aswell as on treating acute illnesses . Previous funding for this project has ended, and we need your support to provide Guatemalan children with the health care and medications they deserve!
With close to 60% of Guatemalans living in poverty, roughly half of children under the age of 5 experiences stunting due to chronic malnutrition. Many families cannot afford pediatric growth and weight monitoring by a trained pediatrician. Without access to pediatric health care for children and babies, the cycles of malnutrition and stunting continue to contribute to cyclical patterns of poverty in Guatemala.
Access to free pediatric health care gives families the tools and knowledge needed to raise healthy and nourished children. Dr. Acajabon provides compassionate pediatric care to families with limited resources. Without this pediatric clinic, Guatemalan families in the Ciudad Vieja area may not have access to any pediatric health care during crucial points in their child's development.
According to the World Health Organization, stunting in early life has adverse long term consequences on children, including poor cognition and educational performance, low adult wages, and lost productivity. By funding the Manos Abiertas pediatric clinic, underserved Guatemalan families can be engaged in healthy development of their babies and children. Access to compassionate pediatric health care can help families break cycles of poverty by raising healthy children and babies.
