Angel joined us in Itzapa, Guatemala just over a year ago with his sisters Angelica, Ana and Reina. Around half of children suffer from chronic malnutrition in Latin America but even knowing this figure didn’t prepare us for Angel. At home, Angel has seven siblings and with their parents they share one vegetable and a few tortillas each day for food; they were starving.
Angel, at eight years old, was the same size as his five-year old sister Reina. His thigh was so thin that if I clasped one with my hand, my finger and thumb would touch. Hold your finger and thumb together and see what I mean. He barely had any hair but I will always remember the huge smile on his face, his passion to learn and his desire to feel better.
Luckily, Angel had a donor willing to pay just £30 or $50 for him to receive food and fruit daily for this past 12 months.
We have watched little Angel over the last 12 months and he is growing. He is taller, has more hair and healthier, fuller skin. If you don’t believe me take a look at his photo.
Education is a waste of time if you don’t provide nutrition too. How can you read, write, concentrate, learn if you are in pain from hunger. Angel couldn’t write his name 12 months ago, he is now in first grade. Angel was lucky to have a donor, someone who cared enough to give him what is desperately needed, a chance.
So here is our idea. Please pledge £30, $50 or whatever you can afford today. Then, on Christmas Day, when you set your table to eat Christmas dinner, how about you set an extra place, a place for your extra dinner guest, the child you have saved. But, here is the extra special part; £30/$50 feeds a child for a year so you can leave their place set until next Christmas. Thank you.
