According to UNICEF, the status of Guatemala’s country-wide nutrition is one of the worst in the entire Central American region. 23% of children between the ages of three and five months suffer from general malnutrition across the country. A 2008 census in the school system of Guatemala revealed that 49% of the students are chronically malnourished. Among the indigenous population, the rate reaches a staggering 80% in some areas.
As of 2002, the infant mortality rate was at 44 per 1,000 births while the under-five mortality was 59 per 1,000 births. In
conjunction with proper nutrition, many children are affected by
illnesses that could have otherwise been prevented with an adequate
daily diet. Over 50% of the deaths of young children are
caused by infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and
the measles, all diseases that can be easily fought with good nutrition
and medical resources.
I
spent a day with Liz at Casa Jackson to help report on her volunteering
role there. It is quite demanding with feedings every two hours and
consequently many diapers to change. The shift lasts from 10 – 5 with
a short packed lunch inbetween. The kids are fun to play with and love
any one on one attention they can receive.
spent a day with Liz at Casa Jackson to help report on her volunteering
role there. It is quite demanding with feedings every two hours and
consequently many diapers to change. The shift lasts from 10 – 5 with
a short packed lunch inbetween. The kids are fun to play with and love
any one on one attention they can receive.
Casa Jackson is located on the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala in the village of San Felipe de Jesús, Guatemala. Behind the protective walls of the building, is the heart of operations for the center and
place of in-house care. The
welcoming atmosphere includes a fully-equipped medical clinic, kitchen,
dining room, living room, office, store room, laundry facility, and
garden.
welcoming atmosphere includes a fully-equipped medical clinic, kitchen,
dining room, living room, office, store room, laundry facility, and
garden.
On the second floor are four carefully designed bedrooms for the severe cases of malnourishment and a commons area. The
third story opens to a roof terrace where volunteers spend time
interacting with the in-house patients as well as tending to a rooftop garden that is used as both an educational example to the children and
a ready supply of fresh vegetables to the center. Children
who are old enough, help water the gardens and are taught that just as
plants need proper nutrition to grow, their bodies also need the same
care.
third story opens to a roof terrace where volunteers spend time
interacting with the in-house patients as well as tending to a rooftop garden that is used as both an educational example to the children and
a ready supply of fresh vegetables to the center. Children
who are old enough, help water the gardens and are taught that just as
plants need proper nutrition to grow, their bodies also need the same
care.
