By Laura Atran-Fresco | Grant Writer and Communication Consultant
At the heart of our community HIV clinic on the outskirts of Bamako, care extends beyond the pharmacy counter. Every Friday, patients come together to prepare and share wholesome, nutrient-dense meals alongside their children and health center staff.
For people living with HIV, good nutrition is essential for immune strength and medicine absorption. Beyond the physical plate, gathering around a home-cooked meal prepared together breaks down deep-rooted social stigma, turns healthcare providers into trusted allies, and builds a supportive family network for mothers navigating care on their own.
The power of your impact: 2025 highlights
In the face of ongoing regional instability, armed conflict, energy shortages, and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, families in Mali are struggling with severe economic pressures, compounded by food prices rising 5.70% in August 2026 compared to August 2025. Despite these immense challenges, your generosity kept this lifeline open.
In 2025, our Nutrition and Peer Support Program reached 5,755 individuals, including HIV+ patients, their children, family members, and clinic staff.
By integrating food security directly into primary HIV care, we ensure that vulnerable families do not have to choose between traveling for treatment and putting food on the table. For widowed mothers raising children, these Friday gatherings offer crucial relief and the peer solidarity needed to stay healthy and resilient.
How your donation puts hope on the table
Because our program is run locally in partnership with patient leaders, every dollar directly supports food purchasing and community distribution:
Looking forward
Living with HIV shouldn't mean facing isolation or hunger. Together, we are proving that healthcare is most powerful when rooted in community, dignity, and shared care. Thank you to every donor, advocate, and partner who makes this work possible in Bamako. Your ongoing support ensures that no patient has to walk this path alone.
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