Diela's story of survival and recovery from malnutrition
*Warning – this story contains sensitive material. Names have been changed to protect identity.
In an instant, the lives of two-month-old Diela and her family were changed forever.
It was evening in the Binza region of East DRC. Diela’s mum was nursing her when a knock at the door found armed bandits looking for money and the location of Diela’s father, Theophile.
With only beans to offer, they refused, instead mercilessly taking the life of the mother in the doorway of the family home.
The tragedy shook the whole community, and fear grew for Diela’s survival. Theophile desperately searched for a woman in the community willing to continue breastfeeding his two-month-old baby. He found a wet nurse, but she was only willing to nurse Diela if Theophile agreed to cultivate her land. Despite having just lost his wife and a newly single father to three daughters, he had no choice but to accept.
The arrangement was working well. Diela, whilst small, was still growing. Theophile continued his commitment, but at some point Diela’s nursing mother backed away from hers and Diela’s health deteriorated. Unfortunately, her busy father missed the signs.
On returning from the field one day, Theophile arrived to find Diela had fainted. He quickly took her to the local health centre where she was assessed and referred to the hospital for urgent nutritional care.
After two weeks of monitoring and medical care, Diela’s condition improved. Medical staff discharged her and arranged for her to receive on-going supplementary food and to be regularly monitored.
Nursing Director, Elois Bukupi, outside the health centre in Binza, Eastern DRC, where Diela’s father was able to have her reviewed. Having access to a local health clinic with dedicated medical staff has been instrumental in seeing the number of children who survive acute malnutrition strongly increase in the area.
A doctor reviews a child’s progress and supplies the mother with therapeutic food supplies. Therapeutic food and/or milk is specifically designed to tackle acute malnutrition. Typically made from peanut-based paste, oil, sugar and powdered milk they also contain added vitamins and minerals to ensure a great source of protein and energy.
Despite the dangers in the region, with your support , we’re committed to delivering locally run programmes that help save the lives of children by addressing acute malnutrition, through health clinics, therapeutic food distribution , educational workshops and social worker visits.
I can testify to the great impact recorded in the area, including the recovery of Diela and many other children
Vianney Ndererimana Sebirayi
Project Manager
Eighteen months on, Diela and her two older sisters are in very good physical health and their father has joined the local Food Security Programme.
Food Security Programmes empower local families to grow and harvest crops, ensuring consistent and nutritious food for children. Over 2,100 farmers in the Binza region have been provided with seeds, training and adopted improved agricultural techniques to improve production.
Thanks to your support, you’ve helped Diela to survive and recover, as well as enabling Theophile to grow and provide nutritious food for his daughters, and begin to generate income. And we can see the impact… Diela is now beginning to stand on her own and one day, she’ll be strong enough to build her own future.
Childhood Rescue is designed to deliver impact in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Thanks to your ongoing support, you’re helping and giving hope to the most vulnerable children. Together we’ll ensure they can survive, recover from trauma and one day build a future.
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