Bazaar Story: Love Link

An El Salvadoran mother entered Love Link’s baby house cradling a limp infant in pain. The infant resembled a skeleton more than a baby. The tiny ribs jutting out of her malnourished body could be counted. Not an ounce of fat existed to cover her emaciated body.

“Not even in photos had I seen a child so malnourished,” explained Junior Biology major Wilson. “I was surprised she had the strength to cry, but she was indeed able to sob weakly.”

Wilson didn’t expect the baby to survive, but she did. Love Link provided the necessary medical and nutritional support to save this little girl’s life.

Weeks later, the infant’s grandmother returned to Love Link. “Without Love Link’s intervention,” the grandmother said, her eyes brimming with tears. “My granddaughter would have died.”

Love Link serves 800 families from the slums of San Salvador, El Salvador. Malnourished babies ages 1 to 18 months are delivered to the center from local hospitals. Additionally, Love Link’s community feeding program gives free daily lunches to 650 children, holds nutrition clinics, and provides medical assessments in eight locations across El Salvador.