Marleni Aldana and her three brothers live
with their mother and father
in a one-room shack in the southeast region of Guatemala.
Their daily meals consist mostly of just tortillas and beans
with very little protein, fruit or vegetables.
Although they look much younger, they are 10, 9, 8 and 5 years old.
This is because the lack of nutrients in their diet has caused
their growth to be slowed.
Our children are not growing as they should.
The whole development of our country is at risk because our children
are not healthy.
Marleni s mom, Aramilda Flores, brought her daughter to the UNICEF-supported
Nutrition Recovery Center of San Yuyo where the child received
the care she needed to get better.
I had been so sad because I was so worried about my daughter.
Thank God for the health center because they helped her recover.
They gave me food for my kids.
Now Aramilda brings her children to the center for
regular checkups
to make sure that they are healthy and getting the proper nutrition,
vitamins and minerals they need.
Now Marleni is healthy and happy.
She plays and runs around.
Children have the right to have good nutrition because
they deserve to have good health,
and UNICEF is determined to help these
children and these mothers.
We can give these children a future.