Education Kenya Project #21154

Feed 30 malnourished young children in Kenyan slum

by Macheo US

Project Report | Nov 13, 2023
Nourishing Kenya's Future

By Seth Mwangi | Service Delivery Manager

Abstract

Kenya is grappling with a concerning surge in malnutrition rates among children and mothers, attributed to factors such as food insecurity, inflation, the devaluation of the Kenyan shilling, and escalating food costs. Over the past 15 years, Macheo has been dedicated to combatting malnutrition in Kenya, so far this year we have been able to reach 240 malnourished children and 42 malnourished mothers through its program.

Macheo offers a range of services to its beneficiaries, encompassing nutritional screening, therapeutic and supplementary food provisions, education on nutrition and hygiene, and referrals for essential services like medical care. Recognizing the critical impact of malnutrition on children's physical and cognitive development, as well as its role in elevating the risk of preventable diseases, Macheo's work remains pivotal for the health and well-being of Kenya's children and mothers.

Overview

Despite Macheo's persistent efforts, the prevalence of severe malnutrition in children has surged in recent months, mirroring the broader increase in malnutrition across Kenya. Contributing factors include food insecurity, driven by rising prices and limited access to nutritious food, inflation making it harder for families to afford basic necessities, and the devaluation of the Kenyan shilling leading to increased costs for importing essential goods.

Macheo is confronted with various challenges in its mission to combat malnutrition, such as the escalating costs associated with running the nutrition program. The expenses related to food, supplements, and medicines have spiked significantly. Additionally, the organization faces the imperative to extend its reach to more malnourished children and mothers who are currently underserved. Addressing the root causes of malnutrition, including food insecurity and poverty, is a complex and long-term process that Macheo is actively engaged in.

In the face of these challenges, Macheo remains unwavering in its commitment to alleviating malnutrition in Kenya. The organization expresses gratitude for the steadfast support of its donors and partners.

Our Success Story

Breastfeeding and general nutrition are very important in the first half-year of a baby’s developmental cycle. Imagine a situation a baby in this very critical period cannot breastfeed due to a condition she was born with. That summarizes what Angel (alias), now a year and a half old, went through in her earliest months.

Born with an opening in the roof of her mouth, Angel struggled to properly suck in milk into her delicate digestive system that depended on milk for nutrition. This condition was realized after the baby was only a week old, as she would cry excessively and spill milk through her nose whenever she was being breastfed. Born to a young mother, only 18 at the time, this came with many challenges. Not only did Sarah*, Angel’s mother, come from a low-income background, but she was also in conflict with her own mother, which had to do with Angel’s birth – adding more layers of complexity to an already challenging situation.

Doctors advised Sarah to feed Angel her breast milk from a cup with a spoon to monitor her weight and growth before exploring corrective surgery. However, due to Sarah’s economic situation, her dietary needs as a lactating mother were barely met, affecting her milk production. At one month old, Angel had not gained any weight, and her mother was advised to purchase formula milk, which she could not afford. She thus decided to give regular cow's milk to the child, but it resulted in stomach discomfort and constipation. As Dorcas' health continued to deteriorate, Sarah moved in with her grandmother. Angel was taken to a Level 5 Hospital to assess her health deeply. Doctors revealed malnutrition due to starvation as the cause of Angel’s dwindling health.

It was through the doctors that Sarah was referred to Macheo for support, monitoring, and follow-up. During the assessment, only four months old and weighing only 5.5lbs Angel looked weak, irritable, and had loose skin and protruding eyes. She was thus put through the malnourished children’s program immediately. Regular provision of formula milk, supplements, and proper feeding enabled Angel to gain the appropriate weight to undergo her corrective surgery. Sarah was also enrolled in a mental health program to help her cope with the pressure of family conflict, relieve stress, and enable her to take good care of herself and, by extension, Angel.

Angel’s surgery was successful. The surgery was a Hail Mary that helped restore her health and put her on the path to growth and achieving developmental milestones. She can now patter on her two feet, play with other children, and possess the most radiant smile. The family is happy and grateful for the support that was given in restoring Angel’s health and Sarah’s confidence. Sarah reconciled with her mother and moved back in with her again

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Jul 15, 2023
Acting on the Call

By Seth Mwangi | Service Delivery Manager at Macheo Children's Org

Introduction

Good nutrition and feeding practices are critical to a child’s growth and development especially during the first two years of life. Malnutrition refers to a state of either under-nutrition or over-nutrition. Under-nutrition occurs when the diet a person consumes does not meet their body’s requirement for growth and development whereas over-nutrition occurs when a person consumes too many calories. Under-nutrition impairs a child’s immunity, which can lead to recurrent infections, and impaired physical and cognitive development.

At Macheo we believe in empowering families to improve their children's nutritional status through the utilization of local foods. This is an important step in promoting community health and well-being. This plays a crucial role in providing communities with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about nutrition and health. We achieve this by having seminars for mothers whose children are malnourished or where the mother is undernourished and she is either pregnant or breastfeeding.

Enhancing the nutritional status of young children is particularly vital as it directly impacts their growth, development, and overall health. Adequate nutrition during the early years is essential for optimal physical and cognitive development, immune system functioning, and long-term health outcomes. It lays the foundation for children to reach their full potential and become productive members of society in the future.

Our success Story

Hannah* is the second child in a family of two residing in the serene rural areas of Itetani. Her parents, a hardworking mother and a shop attendant father, strive to provide for their family. However, their lives took an unexpected turn when Hannah's health started deteriorating. the tender age of 1 year and ten months, Hannah was identified by a Macheo social worker. During the assessment, her frail appearance and lack of energy raised concerns. Weighing only 9.2 kilograms, she fell under moderate acute malnutrition according to the World Health Organization's standards. It became evident that her feeding habits were poor, as indicated by a 24-hour dietary recall method. Additionally, her mother shared that Hannah had a significantly reduced appetite, causing distress for the family.

A nutritionist from Macheo provided Hannah with nutrition supplements, which played a vital role in her weight gain and improvement in appetite. Her mother received valuable nutrition information to support her health, and further continuous monitoring and follow-ups were conducted to ensure her progress. Recognising the importance of holistic care, A Macheo counsellor offered psychosocial support to help Hannah's mother cope with the challenges they faced.

Furthermore, Macheo proved instrumental in transforming the family's circumstances. They were provided with seed capital, empowering them to establish their shop. This newfound business opportunity brought stability to their lives, enabling them to meet the basic needs of Hannah and her sibling.

Today, Hannah's progress is nothing short of remarkable. She is steadily gaining weight, and her once-pale appearance has become a radiant smile. Her joy and jovial nature brighten the lives of those around her. Thanks to the unwavering support of Macheo, the family has been uplifted, and Hannah's health and well-being have been restored. During follow-up visits, her mother proudly exclaims, "I’m grateful we were referred to Macheo."

The transformative impact of Macheo's interventions continues to inspire hope and create opportunities for vulnerable children and families. Your support can make a difference in the lives of many more children like Hannah. Together, we can nurture brighter futures and empower families to thrive.

We are Greatful to GlobalGiving for giving Macheo a platform to raise resources to reach out to children.

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Mar 20, 2023
The effect of malnourishment on a child.......

By Anne Thompson | President Macheo US

At Macheo US we are concerned with the health and well-being of malnourished children under 5 in Kenya. Many in the Thika area are suffering from malnutrition and wasting, thus leaving these children at higher risk of malnutrition related ailments. For children who survive, wasting adversely affects children’s body growth, and brain development, with the effects being lifelong. Under-nutrition makes them more susceptible to infection. At Macheo we not only provide nutritional supplimentation as long as needed, we also create opportunities for the family to become financially self-sustaining, thus avoiding the pitfalls of day labor employment.

With your help we have supported many children like Dylan and his grandmother Mwania. Together we can create a fairer future for more little ones.

Thank You!

Anne Thompson

From the field....submitted by Hassan Ibrahim, Macheo, Kenya

Improving Health and Economic Well-being for Abandoned Infant and Grandmother in Rural Kenya with Macheo

Dylan is the second child in a family of two. He lives with his grandmother in Mwania Mbogo, Kakuzi Area. His mother abandoned him when he was just 21 days old, leaving his grandmother to raise him on her own. Due to the grandmother's lack of stable income, she could only afford to feed Dylan porridge made from maize flour, which led to constipation. At 4 months old, Dylan was underweight, weak, and had difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with severe bronchitis pneumonia, low calcium levels, and low blood levels and was given medication and breast milk substitute with the support of Macheo. Despite initial improvement, Dylan's health deteriorated and he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and anemia. He was admitted to the hospital for close monitoring and discharged with follow-up care.

Currently, Dylan is improving, gaining weight, taking medication and following doctor's appointments and tuberculosis clinics. He has been introduced to complementary feeding and supplements to boost his health. Macheo also provided nutritional counseling to the grandmother to help her prepare nutritious food for her grandchildren. Additionally, Macheo provided an economic boost to the family by giving the grandmother a seed capital for goats and chickens which will be a long-term source of income for the family. This not only provides for their financial needs but also help them to sustain themselves on the long run. With the support of Macheo, Dylan's health has improved and he has a better chance at a healthy future.

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