In Gutu district ward 30 Muruvi village, Emerina Kavela aged 65 is doing all she could to save her granddaughter Chipo who is battling with malnutrition.
When Emerina’s daughter fell pregnant for the second time, she stopped breastfeeding Chipo. Overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility and the cultural myths surrounding breastfeeding during pregnancy, she surrendered the now 18 months old Chipo to grandmother Emerina.
Being weaned off at a tender age of 11 months and not getting enough supplementary feeding due to drought saw Chipo’s health affected. She suffered from diarrhoea and was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition, evidenced by a troubling Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement of 12.2cm.
Emerina, a grandmother with limited financial resources, found herself struggling to provide the nutrition Chipo desperately needed. However, all hope was not lost as the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funded project saved the day.
The El-Nino emergency response project focused on alleviating child malnutrition and educating caregivers on proper nutrition. When Emerina learned about the program, her hope was restored and became one of the beneficiaries of the project. She began to receive food supplies like mealie meal, cooking oil, beans, milk and other items like soap and water guard.
“Receiving the food from the project was a blessing,” Emerina said, her eyes radiant with gratitude. “I didn’t know how to feed my granddaughter Chipo, but now I can cook proper meals for her, thanks to the food we are receiving. This program has restored my hope as a grandmother.”
Emerina also received critical nutrition education and counselling sessions that expanded her knowledge on preparing balanced diet meals and address Chipo’s malnutrition effectively, with the health of her village health worker.
“My heart was heavy with worry, but now, I learned how to prepare food that helps my Chipo grow strong,” she said with a smile. “We learned that food is not just about filling the tummy; it is about providing a balanced diet thus building strength and health.”
As Chipo began to eat nutritious meals consistently, Emelina witnessed an astounding transformation. The little girl’s energy slowly returned, her laughter filled their home once again, and her overall health is improving significantly.
“I used to pray for Chipo to get better,” Emerina reflected. “Now, I see her playing and giggling, and I feel like my prayers have been answered. This project gave us both food and hope.”