In Gidan Madi, a small village in Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Zainab Abdullahi, a 32-year-old mother of four, wakes up each day with a single worry: how to feed her children. Life has not been easy, with food prices rising and her husband’s small farming income barely enough to meet their needs.
“There were days when my children went to bed hungry,” Zainab recalls, her voice filled with emotion. “Sometimes, my husband had to beg neighbors for some farm harvest, or cook only once a day to make what we had last longer.”
Like many families in her community, Zainab struggled to provide nutritious meals. Wheat, a staple food recommended for its high nutritional value, was often too expensive for her to buy. The weight of these struggles left her feeling helpless, unsure of how to give her children the nourishment they needed to grow healthy and strong.
When she first heard about the World Food Programme (WFP) General Food Distribution (GFD) initiative, implemented by Albarka Health Spring Foundation (AHSF), she felt a glimmer of hope. The program provided families with fortified wheat free of charge. For Zainab, this was life-changing.
“The first time I received the food package, I felt like a heavy load had been lifted from my shoulders,” she says, smiling. “For once, I could cook for my children without worrying about the next meal.”
With access to regular food supplies, Zainab’s children are now healthier and more energetic. She no longer has to skip meals or rely on the kindness of neighbors. Instead, she has confidence that her family will not go hungry.
Beyond just food, the program has given Zainab a sense of security and hope. With less stress about daily survival, she is now thinking about starting a small business to support her family.
“This support has changed my life,” she says. “Now, I can focus on earning a living, knowing my children are well-fed.”
For Zainab and many others in Gidan Madi, the WFP GFD program is more than just food; it is a path to a better future. It has restored dignity, given strength, and brought hope to families that once lived in fear of hunger.
