Rescue a Malnourished Child in Guatemala

 Dear Friends of Casa Jackson,

Thank you so much for your past support! We really could not do the important work of helping these beautiful babies recover from malnutrition, without the help of friends and donors like you.  Please allow me to introduce you to a little boy who is fighting to beat malnutrition, here with us at Casa Jackson.

Estiven, is from Sumpango, Sacatepequez, where he parents currently live in a one room house made from corrugated tin and a simple dirt floor. Due to the historical economic culture in Guatemala, and the belief that children do not need an education - rather they need to get a job and help support their families; neither of his parents received a formal education. 

Without an education it is almost impossible for his parents to find work in anything other than agriculture, where they work long hours for close to no pay.  In Guatemala, roughly 30% of the population works in agriculture because of generational poverty and lack of education. To compound the problems of poverty an agricultural worker earns a monthly salary of about 1,255.38Q to 1,802.99Q which translates to about $161.56 to $232.04 a month. This means that agricultural workers, like Estiven’s parents, make about 23 percent less than the national minimum wage of 1,802.99Q ($232.04) per month, literally making it impossible for them to get themselves out of poverty without the help of an organization like ours, The GOD’S CHILD Project.

Estiven was admitted to Casa Jackson on November 5^th, 2015 after being referred to our clinic by a community health center. He was diagnosed with severe malnutrition and respiratory problems. Due to his families living conditions and lack of resources his parents believed that his respiratory conditions would just get better over time.  They were not aware of the severity of his asthma, until it became bad enough for them to clearly recognize the signs that help was needed.  Due to the time that has passed, Estiven’s health was substantially deteriorated when he arrived to Casa Jackson, and will require extra care and time for him to fully recuperate. While he is receiving his treatment at Casa Jackson, his parents are also receiving educational classes about caring for a child who suffers from asthma and malnutrition.  

Estiven is currently being given the appropriate treatment based on his conditions, and is expected to progressively gain weight over the next three to four months, when he will hopefully be able to return home with his parents.His parents are very thankful for the help that the project is giving to their son. Thanks to the Casa Jackson Center for Malnourished Infants Estiven is starting the recovery process and is recieving the help that he needs to grow big and strong.

Please help us treat Estiven, and more babies like him. Your generosity today will help save many children tomorrow. Every child that recovers from malnutrition helps us move towards breaking the bitter chains of poverty, giving their families hope for the future.

 

Many Blessings,

 

Melissa Schroden

Special Opportunities Coordinator

The GOD’S CHILD Project | ITEMP (Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons)

“Breaking the chains of poverty through education and formation”

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Links:

• The GOD'S CHILD Project website
• The GOD'S CHILD Project on Facebook
• Casa Jackson on Facebook