Feeding Children and Saving Lives

Celebrating Educational Excellence

Living in remote, rural areas characterized by a harsh Sahelian climate where rainfall is limited, temperatures soar above 120 degrees farenheit and food is scarce making malnutrition an everyday fact of life for many women and children in northern Senegal. This was no different for 2 year old Hawa Ndiaye. Hawa was admitted to the Center for Nutritional Recuperation (UROCREN) in Ndioum for low weight, lack of energy and refusing to eat. Here she spent 15 days recovering from a severe bout of malnutrition and eating nutrient rich porridges and a combination of US commodities received through the USAID Food for Peace title II P.L.480 program. Hawa's mother, Hawa Ali Diop, tells us her daughter's story.

"I was desperate when I brought Hawa to the hospital. The time she spent at the UROCREN not only made her better but helped me to understand how I can cook similar foods for her to keep her well. Now my child is gaining weight, looks healthy and I can assist my friends and family with the information I learned". The USAID funded Title II program implemented by Counterpart International works in 61 MCHN sites throughout the Department of Podor providing training for local health service personal, support for health services and a robust direct distribution program that provides nutritional support to pregnant and lactating women and malnourished children. Support to the UROCREN of Ndioum included the rehabilitation of the structure, provision of medical supplies, deworming medicines, staff training and food for malnourished children. The most severely malnourished children are referred to this Center. Prior to Counterpart's implementation of the USAID funded MCHN program the average stay at the CREN was around 3 weeks as well deaths due to malnutrition were common. Saidou Sall, the head nurse charged with running the CREN, has not seen a death result from malnutrition in several years and notes that the average UROCREN stay has been reduced from 3 weeks to 12 days.

In 2007 over 100,000 people benefited directly from the Counterpart implemented USAID funded Title II MCHN program elements with approximately 15,800 benefiting from food distribution aspects.