Rescue a Malnourished Child in Guatemala

On July 4, 2025, Kimberly, a little girl just two years and five months old, arrived at Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Children after months of medical follow-up for malnutrition. She came from the Health Center in Sumpango, where doctors had done all they could - yet Kimberly needed more than outpatient care. She needed time, safety, and specialized support her family could not access on their own.

From the moment she arrived, it was clear that Kimberly’s challenges went far beyond nutrition. Born at home with the help of a traditional midwife, she had not experienced complications at birth - yet by the time she reached Casa Jackson, her development had been profoundly delayed.

She could not sit or hold her head on her own, could not crawl or walk, spoke only a few words, and struggled to swallow even puréed food. She did not recognize the people around her and was fully dependent on others for every aspect of daily care.

Kimberly also had a history of seizures before arriving at Casa Jackson. During her stay, those episodes became more frequent, raising urgent concern. Because of donor support, Casa Jackson was able to step in and cover the cost of specialized testing her family could never afford - including a CT scan and an electroencephalogram (EEG).

The results revealed epileptogenic activity, and Kimberly was immediately started on appropriate medication. A pediatric neurologist confirmed the treatment plan and outlined the specialized follow-up she would need going forward.

For 104 days, Kimberly received round-the-clock, multidisciplinary care. Our nurses, pediatrician, nutritionist, and volunteers worked patiently with her every day, using gentle physiotherapy, music, play, and consistent stimulation to help her body and brain begin to connect and strengthen. Progress came slowly - but it came steadily, built on expertise, love, and unwavering commitment.

By the time Kimberly was discharged on October 15, 2025, the changes were unmistakable. She had gained weight and had grown taller. Even more meaningful were the developmental milestones she reached: she could now sit independently, recognize her parents’ voices, grasp objects, and swallow food safely without choking.

Her malnutrition had resolved, and she left Casa Jackson with a clear medical plan for continued neurological, nutritional, and pediatric care.

Casa Jackson also looked beyond Kimberly’s hospital stay to the reality she would return home to. Her family lives in extremely fragile conditions, in a small home made of sheet metal, where Kimberly had been sleeping between her parents in unsafe circumstances. To support her continued recovery and safety, Casa Jackson donated one of its cribs to the family - ensuring Kimberly would have a secure place to rest and grow.

Kimberly’s parents are deeply devoted to their daughter and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the care she received - care that simply would not have been possible without you.

Kimberly’s story is not about an instant miracle. It is about what happens when time, medical expertise, and compassion are made available at exactly the right moment. Because of donor generosity, Kimberly received 104 days of life-saving, specialized care at a critical stage of her development.

Thank you for making small steps possible - and for turning them into big victories for children like Kimberly.

On June 6th, 2025, nine-year-old *Mateo arrived at Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Children after a long and painful journey. He had been referred by the Procuraduría General de la Nación (PGN) following a month in the National Hospital of Escuintla.

He weighed just 12.2 kg (26.9 lbs) - the average weight of a two-year-old -  and his fragile body was covered with sores caused by neglect and abuse.

Diagnosed with infantile cerebral palsy and a history of seizures, *Mateo arrived without even a wheelchair. The team that brought him carried him gently in their arms from the car to admissions - a small but powerful act of dignity and compassion that marked the beginning of his healing.

He looked tired, confused, and a little lost. Yet behind his frail body, there was a quiet spark of life waiting to be rekindled.

At Casa Jackson, *Mateo received not only urgent medical care but something just as vital  -  love, attention, and hope. Our dedicated nurses, pediatrician, nutritionist, and volunteers surrounded him with tenderness and encouragement. Through nutritional therapy, medication, and gentle physiotherapy, his body slowly began to strengthen.

Over the following weeks, he gained more than 45% of his body weight, reaching 17.9 kg (39.46 lbs) and a much healthier MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) of 18 cm (7.09 in).

There were many unforgettable milestones along the way. One of the most beautiful came the day he received his adapted wheelchair, donated by our compassionate volunteers. His face lit up with pure joy - he smiled, laughed, and proudly examined his new chair as if he knew it would change his life.

From that moment on, he eagerly awaited each morning for someone to take him downstairs to play, surrounded by laughter and love. For a child who had spent most of his life confined to a bed, those moments of movement and connection were nothing short of miraculous.

Though he could not walk or speak, *Mateo had his own language of joy. His eyes danced with gratitude. His laughter filled the halls. His smile reminded everyone who met him why Casa Jackson exists - to give children like him a second chance at life.

When it came time to plan for his future, our team once again stood by his side. After multiple court hearings and coordination with the PGN and Ministry of Health, *Mateo was lovingly transferred to Centro Virgen del Socorro del Hermano Pedro, where he continues to receive the care and support he deserves.

Today, *Mateo is healthy, happy, and safe - living proof that compassion changes lives.

Because of donors like you, Casa Jackson was able to care for *Mateo for 112 days, providing 24-hour medical care, nutrition, and love to a child who was completely dependent on others.

But for every *Mateo, there is another child still waiting - another life hanging in the balance.

Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Children is one of the few places in Guatemala that welcomes children over 5 years old suffering from malnutrition. Your generosity allows us to keep our doors open to the most vulnerable -  to say yes when others must say no.

Thank you for making stories like *Mateo’s possible.