Muscle milkshakes fight malnutrition

Posted: June 4, 2010   By: Holly Drake

CONEVISA, Guatemala – Wilmer is 10 years old, but his weight is that of a much younger child. At 55 lbs, he weighs 30 percent less than the average for his age.

Wilmer’s condition is a result of the extreme poverty in which he lives.

Abandoned by his parents, Wilmer, along with his younger brother, were left in the care of their grandmother. But because of her age, Wilmer’s grandmother can’t find a job.

She receives $50 a week from one of her sons and stretches it in an attempt to meet the nutritional needs of the two boys. But it simply isn’t enough to buy enough basic food supplies.

So the family works hard to find other means of income. They sift through a nearby landfill in search of cans to sell to recyclers for $0.50 per pound.

While there, they also scavenge for bread, tortillas and vegetables that have not yet begun to decompose to feed to their chickens so they can have eggs to eat, and sometimes they sell the chickens for money.

As a result of their difficult life, both Wilmer and his little brother suffer from chronic malnutrition. But thanks to Operation Blessing Guatemala’s nutritional recovery program, there is hope for a healthier future.

The program is providing 600 malnourished children with protein supplements called “muscle milkshakes” 3 times a week. Children are also given additional food supplements, such as boxes of cereal.

After just 2 months, Wilmer has already gained 7 lbs. Not only does he look healthier and happier, he’s even doing better in school.

“Wilmer has improved in his studies and has learned to read and write,” his grandmother said.