Caption: Marion the mother and Kennedy
Alliance Forum for Development (AFOD) has been implementing Targeted Supplementary Feeding and Maternal Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) programme under the World Food Programme so as to improve the nutritional well-being of the vulnerable groups among communities in Koboko District, Kennedy, a 1 year and 4 months old child belonging to Moses and Marion who are refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was identified to be moderately malnourished. Kennedy was initiated on Targeted Supplementary Feeding Programme on 18th of September 2017 at Pijoke HC II; Ajipala parish, Waju II village in Koboko district. He had been suffering from diarrhoea and was malnourished. This was caused by poor feeding since their main source of livelihood was cultivation which depends on seasons, yet it is also for domestic consumption and the surplus sold to buy a few basic items. It was thus difficult to have enough food varieties for the family as they had 6 children.
The Village Health team member (VHT) who identified Kennedy advised the parents to take the child to the health facility for investigations. While at the facility, the health workers gave medication for diarrhoea and after 3 days, he was taken back for monitoring. They were then referred to AFOD and enrolled on TSFP CSB++ of 3kgs. Kennedy was found with a body mass weight of 8.3 kgs and a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 12.2cm a sign of moderate acute malnutrition. In addition, they were given health education on how to feed him with basic training on good hygiene practices as well as food preparation. During a monitoring visit, Kennedy was found to be enjoying the porridge and liked it very much and when his MUAC was taken, the boy had increased to 13cm with a weight of 8.7kgs.
However, he suffered from a boil on the neck which made it difficult for him to either drink or breast feed. The family thought that the likely cause of this was the porridge, this assumption was dispelled by the VHT who advised them to take the child back to the health facility where he was given medication and Kennedy got better.
The family together with the VHT appreciated the organization and said they wished the programme would go on for the good of all people in the community. When AFOD members moved around, it was found out that they had done backyard gardening that had greens which was good for the family.
It was discovered that there was no latrine for the family to use. This was due to the heavy rains in the area and they promised to sink one at the end of the season as they were sharing with a neighbour. They were advised to use soap and water for washing hands after visiting the latrine. In addition, they were encouraged to pass on the same information to the rest of the members.
