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Cross Catholic Blog
- March 3, 2020
Addressing Chronic Childhood Malnourishment in Guatemala
Guatemala is Central America’s most populous country. It suffers from some of the worst rates of chronic childhood malnutrition in the region. Even though it has one of the region’s most robust economies, more than half of all Guatemalans are living below the poverty line. The statistics for children are even worse — nearly two-thirds of Guatemala’s children live in poverty. Impoverished families, especially those in rural areas, lack the means to provide healthy, nutritious meals for their children, and as a result, nearly 50% of children born in Guatemala will suffer from malnutrition.
Chronic Childhood Malnutrition and Infant Mortality in Guatemala
With the support of our donors, Cross Catholic Outreach works through in-country Catholic ministries to provide solutions to hunger problems in the developing world. Our shared goal is to provide as much aid as possible to the poorest children and families.
One of our dedicated partners in Guatemala is Dr. Jorge Raul Gramajo. Having experienced the plight of Guatemala’s poor firsthand, he is committed to providing lifesaving humanitarian aid through his Catholic ministry, Amigos por la Salud y la Vida (Friends for Health and Life). Jorge works closely with the Catholic Church and local leadership in Guatemala to more cost-effectively serve needy families, including victims of chronic malnutrition and infant mortality.
Chronic malnutrition, as Jorge explains in the video above, is a condition with lasting, sometimes irreversible, effects. Children who do not receive proper nutrition will suffer arrested cognitive, physical and social development. After the age of 5, the effects of chronic malnutrition cannot be reversed.
Help Now: Join the fight against chronic childhood malnutrition
Donate to Provide Food for the Poor
Nourishing Abandoned Children and Orphans
The Sisters of the Little Apostles of the Redemption at Our Lady of Comfort Children’s Home are dedicated to caring for abandoned and orphaned children. They are also feeding hundreds of Guatemala’s hungriest families and children.
Two-year-old Esmeralda is one of the children the sisters feed. Shortly after her birth, Esmeralda was abandoned by her parents at the hospital. Esmeralda, like many of the poorest children in rural Guatemala, would most likely be begging daily for the food and drink she needs to survive if not for the loving care of the Sisters of the Little Apostles.
Because of the support of faithful Catholics, there’s hope for Esmeralda and other children like her. The sisters’ ministry — their ability to be angels to Esmeralda and other children — is made possible because of help from people like you.
How You Can Help Nourish Innocent Children in Need
Your support is instrumental in helping Friends for Health and Life, the Sisters of the Little Apostles of the Redemption, and our other mission partners succeed in their work. Right now we have an opportunity to help these partners with a special gift of powdered milk. For Catholic ministries that serve the poor, powdered whole milk presents an inexpensive and effective option to provide nourishment to children in desperate need. Powdered milk is easily shipped and has a long shelf life. When mixed with water, it creates nutrient-rich whole milk.
For a child in Guatemala suffering from malnutrition, even a simple glass of milk is a precious gift. The nutritious liquid — a rich source of calcium, protein, potassium, vitamins A and D, and more — will help children grow strong and healthy.
Your kindness will bring relief to suffering children. Your gift will answer the prayers of our ministry partners who are serving on the front lines. They depend on your prayers and support to carry out their service to the Lord by ministering to children in dire need!
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