Since becoming a Mum I have really been aware of the world around us. I guess knowing that I have a a responsibility to bring up my child with awareness of what's going on around her and compassion to help support others has spurred on my interest. So when I was contacted by Ofam with the story of Salama and her baby in Niger, I knew I just had to write a post.
Niger experiences recurrent food crises and is prone to chronically high levels of food insecurity and crises levels if malnutrition are the norm. Malnutrition is such a huge and widespread problem that 14.5% of the population suffer from it 2.5% of the population have severe malnutrition. There are a wide range of complex factors which contribute to malnutrition but it is aggrivated by the lack of reliable sources of potable water and water borne diseases such as dysentery, cholera and Malaria.
Oxfam sent over the story of Salama and her son, Hama who was born without difficulty but Salama soon lacked enough nutrition to give him. Below is her story in her own words.
“Hama suffered from a fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. He would have brief periods of health and
then get sick again, so I brought him into the clinic.
He was given paracetamol and rehydration, but 6 months later he was diagnosed with
malnutrition. He received treatment and responded well. He’s ok at the moment, is still sick
occasionally.
The availability of the clinic is a great thing for us. Before, we had to get to Agadez town. It was
impossibly expensive to travel, then accommodation and food. But now this service is here, it’s
much more doable.
We are completely delighted to get the water system in our health centre – before it was here we
had to go to the neighbouring village to fetch water for going to the treatment centre. It was difficult
for the nurse to really look after us. Now, they can wash our babies when they have diarrhoea.
There’s a laundry system and everything is sanitary.
We are really proud of Oxfam because Oxfam helped us women a lot to support our children.
We’re really grateful to Oxfam because we’re now really well informed about health issues.
My great hope is that my baby recovers, grows, studies, and gets a decent job.”
This is such a sad story but typical for the life of new babies born into poverty in Niger. Having a young child of my own I feel so much compassion for Salama and how horrible it must have been for her to go through this with her child and not being able to provide all the nutrition he needed as she herself was undernourished.
Oxfam is fighting malnutrition by installing water and sanitation facilities in clinics and communities and by promoting nutrition and hygiene. A regular donation can help make a difference in Oxfams fight against malnutrition.
£1 a day can provide clean water to new mums and babies.
£5 can provide soap to help mums protect their babies from life-threatening diseases like diarrhoea.
£16 can provide new baby care for mums and babies so more young families can call on fully trained doctors, midwives or birth attendants - no matter where they live.
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