Vivir Health Foundation / Ecuador

Mother Blanket

In remote villages of the Ecuadorian Andes, many mothers mistakenly believe that a chubby child is a healthy child. In reality, height—not weight—is the key indicator of chronic child malnutrition. Cultural and language barriers make it even harder for families to access accurate information and proper care.

To address this, the Vivir Health Foundation created an in-language pediatric screening tool by incorporating the World Health Organization’s length-for-age chart into the Sikinche, a traditional blanket Andean mothers use to carry their children. This allows them to easily monitor their child’s growth and seek medical care if they notice signs of stunting.