WARNING: Some images in this post are graphic and heartbreaking. View with caution.
Diego’s dark brown eyes blink at me from under the think plastic. Unfortunately, the adult sized breathing mask covers most of his face. His tiny hand is clinched in a fist and he tries to pull away from the flow of oxygen. Diego is almost three months old, but weighs just over 5lbs. He has severe acid reflex that prevents him from keeping food down, and his veins have proved elusive to iv needles.
Truth be told, breathing treatments are not going to save this baby. God is the only one who can help baby Diego.
But how did Diego end up here in the first place, along with so many other malnourished infants. What about Luis, our 12-year-old who arrived at the clinic a few months ago weighing less than 25lbs. What about Christina, she is over a year old, but physically and mentally she is barley 6 months old due to malnutrition.
Many assume that the root of the problem is poverty. Why else would these kids show such obvious signs of neglect. It’s simple, families are poor and can’t afford to feed their children. Yet, the problem is much more complex and vast than those families living under the poverty line. The reality is that more than 80% of Guatemalans live above the international poverty line of $2 a day. While this doesn’t seem like much… I have successfully eaten well on less than $3 a day for almost a year. You won’t get a fancy steak dinner, but it is possible to eat healthy.
Unicef estimates that current rates of child malnutrition are as high as 75% in rural areas of Guatemala (the 6th worst performance in the world). In addition, children in Guatemala are twice as likely to show signs of malnourishment than children in Haiti, yet, the average household income in Haiti is only 1/4 that of Guatemala.
According to the organization God’s Child (located just outside Antigua Guatemala), the root of the problem is education. Almost 10% of girls in Guatemala will have their first child before they are 15. By age 18 the percentage rises to 32%. These young moms were often raised by a young mom, who also had no education on how to feed or care for a child. Many children are forced to live on a diet of tortillas and rice, while babies are being given coffee and beer in their bottles.
In October 2008, God’s Child opened Casa Jackson (a clinic for malnourished babies). The center, which is equipped to care for up to 20 children, also conducts field clinics to monitor acute malnutrition and educate the public on proper nutrition. Children with more severe needs are referred to the clinic.
Throughout my month at Casa Jackson, I was able to work with kids at all levels of treatment. The most severe are heartbreaking: their black hair has turned blond, their bellys are bloated from fluid build-up as their organs fail, every bone is visible, their skin is peeling, and their face muscles are too weak to smile.
However, there is also hope. I was able to watch as three kids went home, having completed their treatment. Luis has doubled his entry weight and Jimena is learning to walk. Alberto just celebrated his 3rd birthday (his twin sister died of malnutrition last year). Kids are growing and parents are being educated.
Since the majority of patients are brought to the clinic by parents, it is always the desire of Casa Jackson to reunited kids with their parents after treatment. Some moms even choose to live at the clinic to help care for their child daily. All the parents are required to take nutrition classes and kids are sent home with a large supply of nutritional food. It is also a requirement for kids to return to the clinic on a regular basis for check-ups. Casa Jackson is making a difference, but so much more help is needed. I pray for the day that no clinics are needed, when educating moms is a top priority.
I am thankful that I was born in America. I am thankful that my parents were able to learn how to care for me from their parents. I am thankful that all of my daily needs were met. But most of all, I am thankful that my mom never put beer in my baby bottle.
To learn more about God's Child/Casa Jackson or to follow the progress of the children visit: www.godschild.org!
