A Grandmother’s Love Nourishes a Child Back To Health

In many rural communities, families face significant obstacles in ensuring children receive proper nutrition and healthcare. Jenifer Nyoto Nyambe, a 69-year-old grandmother, experienced this firsthand when she suddenly found herself in a maternal role once again. Her daughter passed away in 2023, just three months after giving birth to her baby, Maybin. Left in Jenifer’s care with limited resources, the young child faced a difficult start, malnourished and struggling to thrive.

Although the Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) had been monitoring Maybin’s mother during her pregnancy, mental health challenges led her to deliver at home. Tragically, she never recovered, leaving Maybin without her mother’s care. Jenifer was left to raise her granddaughter alone, but the family’s limited income meant they couldn’t afford enough nutritious food for Maybin. As a result, Maybin’s condition worsened, and she became severely malnourished.

Maybin's fate changed when a SMAG, also a Community Nutrition Agent, visited the family. She encouraged Jennifer to participate in World Vision’s PD Hearth program, which teaches families how to utilise locally available foods to improve children's health. At that time, Maybin’s health was critical, with a MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) of just 9, indicating acute malnutrition.

The Nutrition Agent, Macklyn Mukebai Nyambe, trained Jennifer in the PD Hearth model. She showed her how to enrich Maybin’s porridge with vegetables, milk, and dried fish, and established a strict feeding schedule with regular weight checks. Gradually, Maybin’s condition improved; her weight increased from 112g to 200g, and her MUAC reading rose to a healthier 12.5/13.

Through the PD Hearth program, Jennifer also learned improved farming techniques and began keeping chickens. Now, Maybin eats eggs regularly, understanding their nutritional value.

“Now, we can feed her well,” Jennifer says proudly. “And she is growing stronger every day.”

Since joining the PD Hearth program in 2020, Macklyn has helped over 30 women in her community. For Jennifer, her guidance was life-changing. Within two months, Maybin was no longer in danger. Today, at two years old, she enjoys meals of maize, vegetables, beans, and eggs—foods that keep her strong and healthy.