From depletion to delight: How little Chol found his smile Again

In the small village of Mabior, in Gogrial East, Adut Akec spends her days farming to feed her family of five. It's hard work, and some seasons the harvest just isn't enough.

Adut, 26, started noticing something was wrong with her youngest son, six-month-old Chol. He stopped wanting to eat. He grew tired and quiet. Day by day, he was getting thinner.

For any mother, watching your child fade like that is terrifying. Adut knew she couldn't wait.

On 27 April 2026 Adut brought Chol to the Mayom-Biong Primary Health-care unit (PHCU). Chol’s Mid-Upper Arm Circumference measured only 10.8 cm, a sign of severe acute malnutrition.

He was admitted right away into an emergency nutrition program run by World Vision, supported by UNICEF and the World Food Programme.

The plan was simple but powerful, Chol began receiving Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food and Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food nutrient-packed pastes designed to give his small body everything it was missing.

Community Nutrition Worker Aluel became a steady presence for the family, checking on Chol regularly and teaching Adut how to keep him healthy using hygiene practices and the ingredients she already had at home.

By July 7, 2026, less than three months after that first frightening visit. Chol was discharged from the program. His arm measurement had climbed to a healthy 13.0 cm. The tiredness was gone. Replaced with energy, curiosity, and a wide, easy smile.

Adut, Chol's mother recollects, “I was so scared of losing my son. When we came here, he was so weak. Seeing him run around and play with his two siblings now makes me so happy. I am deeply grateful to the health workers and the organizations that brought this life-saving food to our village.”

“Chol's recovery is a testament to the power of timely intervention and a mother's dedication. When Adut first arrived, she was anxious. But she followed every feeding instruction perfectly. Seeing Chol walk out of our clinic healthy, and thriving is exactly why we do this work every day,” adds Aluel Teresa, World Vision’s Community Nutrition Worker.

Story by Bior Gabriel, Nutrition Officer and photos by Stella Leonardo, Communications Officer