Grandmothers Leading the Way to Better Child Nutrition

Improving child nutrition starts at home—and in Rolear Bier, it starts with grandmothers.

In Thmey Village, each morning begins quietly. A grandmother sits by the cooking fire, preparing a small bowl of porridge for the children in the household. For years, this has been part of daily life—caring, feeding, giving what she can.

But not long ago, one of those children—a 16-month-old named San Peanich—was fading.

The child’s tiny arm told the story. Through Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Measuring only 11.2 cm, met the criteria for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The child was weak, fragile, and at risk, and was enrolled in appropriate management for acute malnutrition and received follow-up through community-based nutrition services, while the grandmother improved feeding practices at home.

“I was very worried,” the grandmother recalled softly.

“I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to make the child better.”

Every day, the grandmother tried. But without the right knowledge, love alone was not enough.

Then something changed.

The grandmother joined a small group in the village where caregivers came together to learn and talk. Sitting side by side, they shared stories, listened, and discovered simple but life-changing practices—how to prepare nutritious meals and improved feeding practices at home, including how often to feed a child, how to help them recover and grow.

One lesson stayed with the grandmother: how to cook nourishing porridge and food using ingredients she already had at home.

“I started to understand,” the grandmother said.

“I changed the way I cooked. I fed the child more carefully, every day.”

Days turned into weeks.

Slowly, the child began to respond.
A little more energy.
A little more str ength.
A little more life.

And then, after six months of regular follow-up and improved care practices—the moment the grandmother had been hoping for.

San Peanich’s arm measurement rose to 13.4 cm. The child was no longer in danger.

“I saw the child become strong again,” the grandmother said.
“I feel so happy. I never thought it could change like this.”

This story is not only hers.

Across Rolear Bier, grandmothers are quietly transforming the future of their families. They are learning, supporting one another, and gaining confidence in ways they never imagined.

“At first, many of them doubted themselves,” a local facilitator shared.

“Now they believe in what they can do. They see the results with their own eyes.”

Behind these changes is the Grandmother Inclusive Approach (GMIA), supported by World Vision International Cambodia engages influential family caregivers, especially recognizing the powerful role grandmothers already play, the program brings them together to learn, share, and grow in promoting improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF), care practices, and nutrition behaviors —turning everyday care into life-saving action.

Because sometimes, the difference between a child surviving and thriving
begins with a grandmother…
and a nutritious bowl of porridge made with knowledge, care, and hope.