By Seth Mwangi | Programs Manager
Integrated Care and Impact Update
In our continued efforts to combat childhood malnutrition, we are pleased to share meaningful progress achieved through a refined and more cost-effective approach. The shift in our intervention strategy has not only increased our impact but also enhanced sustainability enabling us to reach more children with the resources available.
Strategic Shift in Intervention: Historically, our malnutrition response relied heavily on medicinal supplements, which, while effective, were costly and difficult to sustain at scale. The high unit cost per child limited the number of vulnerable children we could support within existing budgets.
Recognizing this challenge, we adopted a more holistic and cost-efficient model centered on supplementary and fortified foods. This approach addresses both acute nutritional deficiencies and supports long-term recovery when combined with caregiver education on proper feeding practices. As a result, we have observed a significant reduction in intervention costs without compromising quality or outcomes.
Therapy as a Cornerstone: In addition to nutritional support, our program integrates psychosocial and nutritional counseling to address the root causes of malnutrition. Many children come from homes affected by poverty, trauma, neglect, or lack of knowledge on infant feeding. Through therapy, we empower both children and caregivers with knowledge, emotional resilience, and practical skills to break the cycle of malnutrition sustainably.
A Model That Works
This integrated approach—combining fortified food support with therapy—has proven to be:
We remain deeply grateful for your continued support, which makes these life-changing interventions possible.
Success Story: Baby *Moses
Baby Moses is the third-born in a family of three children. He was delivered via cesarean section at Githumu Hospital and initially appeared to be healthy. However, just four days after being discharged, his mother developed severe complications.
She was rushed to Thika Level 5 Hospital, where doctors discovered that her intestines had been partially damaged during surgery. Despite undergoing a colostomy, her condition worsened, and she sadly passed away.
Moses and his siblings were left in the care of their elderly grandmother in Kiandutu slums. With limited income and no access to formula milk, the family resorted to feeding Moses cow's milk. This caused Moses to develop severe digestive complications, including vomiting and constipation.
He was taken to Kiandutu Health Centre, which referred the family to Macheo for support. A social worker visited the home, assessed the situation, and immediately referred Moses to the Malnourished Children Program (MCP). His aunt, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, stepped in to care for Moses and his siblings as the grandmother was unwell.
Moses was enrolled in the program at just two weeks old. He was started on formula milk, and our team conducted regular follow-ups to monitor his growth. Support continued until he turned six months old. His older brother also received psychosocial counseling through Macheo’s mental health intervention to help him process the trauma.
Meanwhile, Moses’ caregiver received detailed counseling on weaning and complementary feeding, equipping her with the knowledge to sustain his progress beyond the program.
Today, at 7 months old, Baby Moses is thriving healthy, gaining weight steadily, and achieving all his developmental milestones.
Conclusion
Baby Moses' journey is just one among many stories of transformation made possible by your support. Through compassion, innovation, and partnership, we are not only saving lives—we are restoring hope.
Thank you for being part of this mission.
By Seth Mwangi | Programs Manager
By Seth Mwangi | Programs Manager
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