Rescue a Malnourished Child in Guatemala

Josué is an 8-year-old boy who was born in an extreme poverty conditions in a small village of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla; he was born as a normal child but because of the lack of economic resources he grows up malnourished and the mother never did something regarding his nutrition.

In December of 2017, Josué got sick and the mother decided to take him to the closest health center to ask the doctor what was the problem, as the mother mentioned, she started to give him the prescribed medicine, but apparently it did not work. After three days of medical treatment, suddenly Josue convulsed but mother and aunt did not know what to do; so, they decided to wait and see if he needed to be transferred to the hospital.

After the third time convulsing, they called the ambulance and took him to the hospital. In the Regional Hospital of Escuintla, the doctors immediately assisted Josué. The initial Medical Diagnosis indicated that he was admitted with a “Septic Shock” therefore he was assisted in the shock room at the hospital. When the doctors stabilized him, they decided to send him right into Intensive Pediatric Care. He was in intensive care using ventilation tubes, laying in the bed for one month.

Once he came out of intensive care, the social workers from the Hospital started the investigating process on finding out why Josue was living in that conditions. After referring the case to the Child Support Office (PGN) the officers made a home visit to learn more about his family and life.

Josué has a 4-year-old brother, the father of both children never showed any legal responsibility on them, he denied to support them, leaving the mother alone with her children. The mom works selling tortillas from 7am to 8pm making Q50.00 per day, and most of the times the kids have to stay home alone. In the house where they are living, also lives the grandfather, an aunt with her three children and all of them are living in extreme poverty as well as Josue’s family.

After the social studies and home visits, this case was sent to Family Court and knowing that Josué was severe malnourished, the Judge ordered to refer him to Casa Jackson for his nutritional recovery. The social workers brought him immediately, so he can start with his treatment.

Josué came into Casa Jackson the 4th of February and he was weighting 13.2kg. He was not able to talk, walk or clearly see. He was shaking all the time, looking like if he was cold and also was afraid of having people around him. The mother brought him with dirt clothes, barefoot and his head was full of scars. He had two ulcers in the back of his head and he was bleeding out. The doctor took care of him by healing the ulcers right away.

Since his admittance in Casa Jackson, he has been showing a lot of big changes, he walks almost by himself, now he can open his eyes and follow the shadows and noices and he is eating well. He has gained 2.5 pounds and looks happy and is pronouncing more words.

The next hearing is scheduled for May 3rd, and after that, the Judge has to decide what is the best place for him to live. Meanwhile, at Casa Jackson, we will be taking care of him, giving everything, he needs to go back to being a happy boy!

Sandrita lives with her mother and father in Santa María de Jesus, Guatemala. She has three older siblings. They are six memebers in her family. The house where they live is being rented and is made of tin laminate walls. It has a dirt floor and a tin laminate roof. They have access to clean water, but not electricity. Her mother is a housewife, she takes care of the house and the children. Sandrita's father works as a farmer in the fields. Sandrita was referred to Casa Jackson by the National Hospital in Antigua. She came with her mother and the Social Worker from the hosipital. It was noted that when she left the hospital that she had Anemia, a Hernia that is located below her belly button and she als has problems with her right lung, it was noted in their records that she was also having problems breathing. Examinations were performed and it is noted that she has a tiny cough. After being at Casa Jackson for a few days, it was noted that she cannot roll over. She also cannot sit up by herself, crawl or even walk. She has been in Casa Jackson since November 7th and after all the physical therapies, food and care, she is now starting to smile and recognize people. She still cannot walk but is able to grab at things with her hands. It's amazing to see how she is no able to maintain eye contact. Sandrita is 10 months old and she is very tiny and weights only 9 pounds, but since she has been in Casa Jackson, she has improve a lot. She is always smiling and very active. She is gaining weight and eating better. She loves to take her bottle and she is not having problems to eat all of her meals. After this time in Casa Jackson, she has demonstrated a big change and her movements are improving. She is receiving physical therapy, has a personalized diet and the necessary medications, as well as Medical Care and Nutritional Atention. If it wasn't for Casa Jackson, Sandrita would have been probably still at the hospital, or worst dead. The mother was not aware of how Severe Malnurished she was and that she was in danger for not receiving the inmediate medical attention. Now, that she is receiving all necessary care, she is recovering very fast and with a great opportunity for continue living.