Proud and Mirriam

In 2022, during a monthly weighing day in Kasompe, Zambia, the kafwa hosting the event noticed a young, school-age girl bringing a baby girl to be weighed. Concerned about why such a young kid was coming alone with her baby sister, the health workers went to meet her mother. The mother, Mirriam, was unable to move most of one side of her body due to an injury months earlier. Unfortunately, with no other guardian in the home, the family needed to rely heavily on the kindness of neighbors to feed the two daughters, but Mirriam was hardly eating and unable to produce enough milk to breastfeed her baby.

The Kafwa adopted the family as their clients, and started to support them with regular visits, bringing mealie meal and making a very thin porridge with ground nuts for baby Proud. The team also decided to pay for transport so Mirriam could visit a physical therapist to help regain some use on the injured side of her body. Now, Mirriam can use a crutch to move around her home, and Proud can walk and is growing well! Kafwa coordinator Ireen Matete and the team continue to visit with the family, providing as much support as they can. We hope to continue to hear good news from our friends in Kasompe as they help home-bound clients like Mirriam and weigh and monitor children like Proud!

Regan JacksonMarch 17, 2024