Rose, a mother of three, lives in Malawi. Both her and her husband work tirelessly to provide enough food for their children. However, despite their efforts they can only grow maize during the rainy season, which only lasts for a few months of the year. During the other months, they both have to search for alternative work to be able to feed their children.  

With no other means of food, Rose’s 18-month-old daughter became life-threateningly malnourished. Rose took her to a specialised clinic where her daughter was nurtured back to health within one month.

To ensure a full recovery, mother and daughter had to stay in the clinic for the full four weeks under the care of medical professionals, who administered the special milk formula used to treat malnourished children. The milk can be safely prepared and used only under close supervision in centres with access to clean water, a constraint which seriously limits the coverage of treatment. For Rose, this meant she was unable to work and support the two children she had to leave behind, leaving the whole family vulnerable to food shortages.

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