Why This Mom and Baby No Longer Go Hungry

Kanti had grown accustomed to the pain of chronic malnutrition. But the symptoms — body aches, frequent illnesses and cough — got even worse when she became pregnant with her first child.

As the expectant mother cared for their small home in Bangladesh, her husband, Babul, worked odd jobs. His income of about $1.20 a day bought them only enough food — always rice — for two small meals a day. Because Kanti wasn’t getting the nutrients she needed, neither was her baby.

Mala was born malnourished, and her health declined over the next three months because Kanti couldn’t produce milk for her. Like so many people living in poverty and facing food insecurity, the young mother was desperate.

Kanti couldn’t stand to see her daughter suffer from chronic hunger like she did. So when a neighbor told her about a nearby church that helped moms and babies, Kanti took Mala there. Thanks to donors who give to the Compassion Survival initiative, the staff had the resources to help! They registered Kanti and Mala in the Compassion Survival initiative and began giving them monthly food supplies. Kanti started attending weekly meetings, where she learned parenting and life skills.

After only a few months in the program, Kanti’s whole family is transforming. Mala, 8 months old, grows stronger every day. The Survival specialists make sure of it by monitoring her weight and height. Kanti is finally getting the nutrition she lacked for so long. And without his chronic hunger making him weak, Babul has been able to work more and increase his income to support his family.