DR Congo: From Severe Malnutrition to Recovery: Marie’s Journey to Protect Her Granddaughter

In Gemena, South-Ubangi Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, five-and-a-half-year-old Jeannine is now healthy, active and full of life. She lives with her grandmother, Marie, 53, who took her in after her mother abandoned her at a very young age.

When Jeannine arrived, she was already seriously ill. Early weaning and inadequate nutrition had worsened her condition, leaving her weak and visibly malnourished. Moved by her granddaughter’s situation, Marie decided to take responsibility for her care despite the difficult circumstances.

“When I took in my granddaughter, she was very unwell. She had swelling in her feet, hands, and even her face, and her hair had turned yellow. She was often weak and did not play with other children,” Marie recalls.

Jeannine was suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with visible oedema and signs of significant physical deterioration.

Early detection through community volunteers

A turning point came when Stéphanie, a community volunteer working in the Salongo 1 neighbourhood at Camp Yola with support from World Vision, visited Marie’s household. She screened Jeannine using a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tape, and the result was alarming.

“The tape turned red. She pressed my granddaughter’s feet and told me her condition was serious. She asked me to take her immediately to the health centre,” Marie explains.

Following Stéphanie’s advice, Marie immediately took Jeannine to the Salongo 1 health centre, supported by World Vision.

Life-saving treatment and recovery

At the health centre, Jeannine received medical care from trained health workers. Her treatment included therapeutic food made from maize, soy, sugar and oil, as well as regular nutrition monitoring.

Marie remained committed to her granddaughter’s recovery, attending every appointment and returning every two weeks for follow-up.

“It was not easy, but I wanted to do everything to save my granddaughter,” she says.

After several visits and weeks of treatment, Jeannine’s condition began to improve.

“The swelling gradually disappeared. Her face returned to normal. She gained weight and strength,” Marie recalls.

As her health improved, Jeannine started playing again and gradually returned to the activities of a child her age.

Learning better nutrition through the PD Hearth programme

Once Jeannine was stabilised, she and her grandmother participated in the Positive Deviance Hearth (PD Hearth) programme implemented by World Vision. Over 12 days, Marie joined other caregivers in practical sessions focused on preventing malnutrition and improving child care.

She learned how to prepare balanced meals using locally available foods, practise better hygiene, ensure vaccination and deworming, and adopt healthier daily care practices.

“At the PD Hearth, I learned how to care for children properly using what we have here. We cooked together and fed the children directly,” she explains.

The practical lessons helped Marie change the way she cared for Jeannine at home, contributing to her continued recovery.

“After the sessions, my granddaughter had already gained weight. She was stronger and more active,” she adds.

Community volunteers continued to visit the family at home, providing guidance and helping Marie maintain the practices she had learned.

From worry to confidence

Today, Jeannine is healthy, active and growing well. She plays with other children and enjoys a life that once seemed uncertain.

For Marie, the experience has been more than her granddaughter’s recovery. It has given her the knowledge and confidence to protect Jeannine’s health and prevent malnutrition within her family.

“Thanks to World Vision, I learned how to feed and protect my child. Before, I didn’t know. Today, I know what to do to keep her healthy,” Marie says.

With gratitude, she adds:

“I sincerely thank World Vision, the community volunteers, and the health workers. Their support helped me understand, learn, and act. Today, my granddaughter is healthy, and I am able to care for her and prevent malnutrition in my family.”

An impact that reaches beyond one family

Jeannine’s story reflects the broader impact of community-based nutrition interventions. Through the Positive Deviance Hearth approach implemented by World Vision, more than 1,600 children in the community have recovered from malnutrition.

For families like Marie’s, early detection, timely treatment and practical nutrition education are helping turn vulnerability into resilience—and giving children a healthier start in life.