By: Elizabeth Marx, Team Photographer

Malnourishment takes on a whole new meaning when you find yourself holding a tiny little bundle of flesh and bones in your arms who meets every requirement for the definition.

Sweet little baby Jonathan stares up at me with his gorgeous, big dark eyes as I hold him in my arms, barely feeling any weight from his tiny little body. His ribs show through his chest, looking like the tiniest little bones I’ve ever seen and his wrinkled skin falls loosely around his tiny wrists and arms from lack of nutrition. He’s tiny enough that you’d think he was born premature within the last few days, but in fact he’s two months old.  He’s in danger of so many health issues that malnutrition can cause … not excluding death.

As I watch him kick and squirm while caretakers try to find his tiny, already over-used veins to pump them full of antibiotics and fluids, my eyes begin to fill with tears. I know it’s for his benefit, but the quiet, nearly lifeless little one is now arching his back and flailing his arms with all his strength in an effort to stop the pain. It’s difficult for my heart to watch even though my brain knows it’s a life-giving necessity.

1-2 million children die every year from malnutrition in countries like Uganda. While Jonathan’s mother died during childbirth, I’m happy to know that the kicking and screaming is also a part of the process of his little body being brought back to the life he was meant to live … in the care of relatives and NGO workers who have given up their time, money, and comfort to care for little ones like Jonathan. I can’t help but wonder who Jonathan will become, and I’m relieved to know that he will have a chance at becoming that person, thanks to NGO’s like this one.

To support this organization as they continue to treat malnourished kids, please visit their website: www.servinghischildren.org.