Kenya/People and Projects

Feeding babies back to health in Kenya

(22 March 2013)

IR staff measure the circumference of Malyun's arm

The residents of Karo village in Mandera, Kenya used to make their livelihood from livestock, but with the onset of drought and severe climactic changes, most of their cattle have died out, and with it their livelihoods.

Fatuma is a 25-year-old mother-of-six. Her youngest child, Malyun Ali is currently being treated in the Islamic Relief’s therapeutic feeding programme in Kenya, which is funded by ECHO and UKAID.

The residents of Karo village in Mandera, Kenya used to make their livelihood from livestock, but with the onset of drought and severe climactic changes, most of their cattle have died out, and with it their livelihoods.

Fatuma explained, “I enrolled in this programme when I had my first pregnancy; there was a severe drought in this region and my husband lost his cattle. We had to entirely depend on Islamic Relief to provide uji (porridge) and oil. I was very grateful as I remained healthy and was able to give birth to my first child and since then I have been benefitting from the programme. My youngest child is now in the programme too.”

When Malyun was admitted into the programme, she had a mid-upper-arm-circumference of 11.2cm, which is how malnutrition is measured in babies. Infants with an arm circumference of less than 11.5 have a much higher risk of dying. After one month in Islamic Relief’s programme, Malyun now has an arm circumference of 11.4cm and will keep improving until she is discharged in good health, in around one month’s time.

Fatuma explained, “I cannot explain in words how life would be for me for my children and I [without this help]. Sometimes we have no food and sleep on empty stomachs- life is difficult. But Islamic Relief comes here every Tuesday. Their assistance has helped sustain my children, who are now growing healthily.
She added, “I wouldn’t even have given birth to my children [without them]- I was enrolled in the programme during all my pregnancies and after giving birth. I am very grateful.”

Fatuma is also a member of the mother-to-mother support group, which provides nutritional training to parents and allows women in similar situations to share with and learn from each other.