Good nutrition is essential for a healthy childhood. But in South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their fifth birthday, mostly from preventable illnesses. For many of these deaths, malnutrition is a contributing factor.

CMMB is working to bring better nutrition to South Sudan, sparing more families from tragedy and supporting healthier lives. We screen for malnutrition, provide critical supplements like Vitamin A, and connect severely malnourished children to medical care. We also help families, especially mothers, learn how to prepare nutritious meals from food they can grow in their own gardens. With CMMB’s support, mothers like Mborinie get the help they need to protect their children from malnutrition.

Victor’s Story: A Second Chance for a Healthy Life

The people of Dingapai, a small village in Nzara County in Southwest South Sudan, felt they’d been forgotten. The Dingapai Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU), a much-needed center of care for this remote community, sat closed for six years. Instead, residents who needed care suffered at home or walked for hours to reach the closest hospital. Many died from preventable or treatable causes.

Earlier this year, the Dingapai PHCU, which had been closed since 2017, reopened with CMMB support. Once again, access to lifesaving health services was within reach.

For Mborinie, a mother from Dingapai Boma, the facility’s re-opening came just in time. Her son Victor, just 20 months old, was sick, his skin alarmingly pale. Grateful to have a health facility nearby, Mborinie brought Victor to Dingapai PHCU. CMMB-supported health workers examined him and found he was dehydrated and malnourished. Since malnourished children are more susceptible to life-threatening illnesses, they also ran a malaria rapid diagnostic test. It was positive.

Victor received prompt treatment. Once he was stable, health workers gave Mborinie guidance, sharing tips on how to prepare nutritious meals for Victor. Gradually, thanks to the team’s treatment and Mborinie’s dedication to her son, Victor recovered. At last, his strength and appetite returned.

Mborinie knew that Victor was lucky. Many children died while the Dingapai facility was closed. But this time, help was nearby. Victor is healthy now, and Mborinie is confident that she can provide him with nutrition that supports his growth.

“May God continue to provide the resources for the support to continue,” she said, expressing thanks to CMMB. “Our people are suffering a lot because of lack of services.”

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