A Mother and Daughter’s Triumph Over Malnutrition with #ENOUGH Nutritious Food
By: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, Lesotho
At Masuaneng, in the district of Mokhotlong, many families face the silent struggle of food insecurity reinforced by deep socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental barriers. These challenges are mirrored in persistently high mortality, malnutrition, and disease prevalence among children in the community. For one mother, ‘Mashakhane, this struggle was painfully real. Married with two children, she and her husband are unemployed, occasionally working in the fields during reaping seasons, often repaid only with a few bags of produce. This was how they brought food into their home. But in the off-peak seasons, they endured the brunt of hunger and starvation, leaving their two young daughters, aged 6 and 3, to suffer the most.
A Child’s Struggle for Survival
“I used to find it hard to sleep at night, thinking that when I awoke my daughter would be no more. "
Three-year-old Ntaoleng was born underweight at only 1.8kg in February 2022. Diagnosed with malnutrition, her early life was filled with endless struggles and frequent visits in and out of government clinics and delayed growth. Her mother recalls: “I used to find it hard to sleep at night, thinking that when I awoke my daughter would be no more. When I did sleep, I would wake up in a panic to check if she was still alive.”
Despite ‘Mashakhane’s best efforts, feeding only on breastmilk and later introducing soft foods like maize porridge and soups, Ntaoleng’s weight would not improve. She appeared much younger than her peers and her development milestones were delayed. With tears in her eyes, ‘Mashakhane reflects: “Seeing Ntaoleng like this used to break my heart. I often blamed myself that she was born this way because even during my pregnancy, there were days I went to bed without food. I think that’s why she did not grow.” Watching her daughter grow weaker each day was heartbreaking. She feared for her child’s life until hope arrived through a World Vision Lesotho supported Nutrition Club.
A Turning Point Through Nutrition Support
In 2023, when Ntaoleng was a year old, ‘Mashakhane was encouraged by other mothers of under-5 children to join the World Vision supported Nutrition Club in her village. That decision became a turning point. At the club, she learned about climate-smart agriculture, how to prepare healthy and balanced meals, and how to preserve food. With her husband’s help, they constructed a small homestead garden where they planted spinach and rape. Using her new knowledge, she began preparing porridge mixed with spinach; a simple meal but packed with nutrients her children desperately needed. Encouraged by other mothers, she expanded the garden to include carrots and beetroot, incorporating these into meals and preserving them for future use.
"When I saw my child begin to eat well and play again, I felt like I had been given back my daughter."
During a community nutrition assessment at the nutrition club, Ntaoleng was once again identified as undernourished. This time, she was enrolled into World Vision Lesotho’s Food Package support program. At first, Ntaoleng’s progress seemed slow, but with each nutritious meal, she regained her health and began to meet her developmental milestones. What was once a frail little body is now full of life, laughter, and energy. Her mother recalls with joy: “When I saw my child begin to eat well and play again, I felt like I had been given back my daughter. I no longer live in fear of losing her.”
From Desperation to Hope
"I know the secret to raising healthy children, and I am equipped with the tools to never run out of food."
Today, Ntaoleng is a bright and bubbly 3-year-old. She can walk, talk, and is full of humour, with giggles that echo as she runs around their small home. Her mother, encouraged and motivated, proudly explains how they no longer go to bed hungry. She has fallen in love with food preservation showcasing beautifully wrapped canned vegetables and dried foods. With confidence, she shares: “There is no looking back. I know the secret to raising healthy children, and I am equipped with the tools to never run out of food. I feel like a responsible mother.”
A Story of Transformation
This is not just Mashakhane and Ntaoleng’s journey; it is the shared struggle of many mothers and under-5 children across Lesotho. It is also a testimony of how nutrition education, community support, and food assistance can transform entire households. Through the partnership of World Vision, community health workers, and Nutrition Clubs, children are being resuscitated from hunger and given the chance to thrive. Every child deserves this second chance because no child should have to suffer from preventable hunger and malnutrition.