-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Elder Portillo
Sent: Friday, 3:21 PM
To: Robin Mahfood
Subject: The perfect storm

Robin,

Guatemala has suffered its worst drought in 30 years, and I am attending to children on the brink of starvation every day.

This drought has combined with the declining global economy to ravage poor agricultural families. These families have lost crops, and local food prices are now beyond their reach. It is the perfect storm for child starvation.

Jalapa has seen the worst cases of child malnutrition in the form of kwashiorkor and marasmus. Kwashiorkor patients suffer from severe protein deficiency, while marasmus patients lack both protein and sufficient caloric intake.

It is an understatement to call the situation here dire… we have been forced to turn some children away because we lack critical resources. Please help us. We need food and medical equipment to save the lives of malnourished children.

The children we are able to care for make miraculous recoveries, and we have a great record of healing suffering children. Robin, please ask your partners and friends to help us. We are in desperate need of more lifesaving food in order to care for more children.

We understand that the world’s attention has turned to victims of the Haiti earthquake, and deservedly so. But for every little girl and boy I hold in my arms on the brink of death,I cannot remain quiet. Please, I’m begging you to help us today. Together we can save precious lives.

May God bless you.

Dr. Elder Portillo
Jalapa, Guatemala