World Vision’s Supported Nutrition Training Saves Dorica from Severe Malnutrition

In Malawi, when hunger strikes, mothers are often the first to bear the weight of worry. They are the ones children run to when there is no food in the house and they are the ones who must face the painful question: 'How will I feed my family today?'.

This was the struggle of Priscilla Rabson, a young mother from Chiradzulu district. In 2024, her household was hit hard by food shortages due to climate change shocks and financial challenges. As the result, she could no longer provide nutritious meals for her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Dorica.

“I was so worried seeing my first child face health problems. Her body weight had dropped, and she looked thin. I kept wondering what her future would be like,” says Priscilla.

Her fears were confirmed when community health promoters from the local Care Group  supported by World Vision and the Government of Malawi through Onga  Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programme visited her home. After assessing Dorica, they referred Priscilla to the hospital where her daughter was diagnosed with malnutrition

Through the  MCH programme, Priscilla received nutrition education and guidance on how to prepare affordable and balanced meals using locally available foods. She learned how to follow prescribed diets for her child’s recovery. Slowly, Dorica began to regain weight, her energy returned and her smile came back.

“Now my daughter looks healthier and stronger. She has gained weight, and I finally have hope for her future,” says Priscilla.

Priscilla’s story is not an isolated case but proof of a broader community-powered success. Tiyamike Muliya, one of the Care Group promoters, says the impact of the project continues to produce results.

“We have seen many mothers learn and change. Children’s weight and health have improved because families now understand the importance of good nutrition and how to provide it,” says Tiyamike.

World Vision’s Onga MCH Project Officer, Patricia Khruza, says the results are encouraging.

“Seeing children like Dorica recover is proof that the programme is working. Our goal is to ensure that children like Dorica have the chance to grow up healthy,” says Patricia.

The Onga MCH programme’s strength lies in its grassroots structure. In the Onga Programme Area alone, 232 trained volunteers conduct door-to-door visits to assess children, provide counselling, and escalate critical cases to health facilities. The goal of these outreach activities is to safeguard children under five, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers in the area.

The project is also complementing World Vision’s ENOUGH Campaign which is calling for an end to child hunger and malnutrition.