Aisha Modu, a 20-month-old from Gamboru community in Jere local government area of Borno state. Aisha’s mother, Hauwa Modu, became aware of her daughter’s moderate malnutrition after community nutrition mobilizers conducted mass screenings in their area. With a MUAC score of 12.2cm, Hauwa was spurred to take action.
“I thought Aisha looked normal, despite her frequent illnesses and lean appearance. I believed these were just normal growth challenges and would eventually go away,” Hauwa recalls.
The Albarka Health Spring Foundation, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), launched the Targeted Supplementary Feeding Programme (TSFP) in February 2024 to combat malnutrition in Borno’s hardest-hit areas. Through door-to-door screenings and community outreach, caregivers like Hauwa learned the stark truth about their children’s health and the urgent steps to save them.
Hauwa rushed her child, Aisha to Gamboru’s Maternal and Child Health Clinic, where health workers confirmed her diagnosis. “They treated us like family,” Hauwa recalls. After an appetite test, Aisha was enrolled in the TSFP, receiving weekly Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and vital counseling on infant feeding and hygiene. Week by week, Aisha’s cheeks filled out. Her energy returned.
“Since joining the program, Aisha received weekly doses of Ready-to-use Supplementary Food (RUSF), and we witnessed remarkable improvements week by week. Additionally, the IYCF counseling sessions have been incredibly enlightening, teaching us the importance of proper nutrition, hygiene practices, and overall child well-being. Seeing Aisha healthy and thriving brings me immense joy,” Hauwa expressed with smile on her face.
By April 2024, the TSFP had treated 6,158 children like Aisha, halting the progression of malnutrition. Over 6,293 caregivers gained critical knowledge through counseling sessions, empowering them to protect their families. Each number represents a child spared from starvation, a mother reclaiming hope.
Thanks to WFP’s support, Albarka Health Spring Foundation remains committed to supporting vulnerable groups and ensuring the health and safety of all, striving to create a brighter, healthier future for communities in need.
