Salama*, 35, and Gabriel*, 1, Democratic Republic of Congo

When they told us the treatment was free, it brought us so much relief.

Salama, a mother of seven children, is trying to rebuild her life after fleeing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. What was once a stable life changed suddenly when ongoing killings forced her family to leave their home, taking only what they could carry. 

Displacement meant losing access to their land and livelihood. With no steady source of income, Salama and her children survived by working in other people’s fields in exchange for small amounts of food. But even then, this was not enough. Food insecurity quickly worsened, and several of her children became ill, including severe malnutrition. 

One of her youngest children, Gabriel, became critically ill after contracting measles. Though he initially recovered with treatment, his condition soon worsened, and he developed severe acute malnutrition, causing swelling in his legs. 

During a home visit, a community health worker trained and supported through a local program spotted the warning signs and quickly referred Gabriel for care. He was admitted to a nutrition program, where he received therapeutic food, medical treatment, and close monitoring. 

“The woman from the community saw his feet and said something was wrong,” Salama recalls. “She told me he needed to go back to the health centre.” 

With ongoing treatment, Gabriel gradually improved. After several weeks, his swelling reduced, and he began to regain weight. For Salama, the recovery brought both relief and gratitude. 

Save the Children supported Gabriel’s care through nutrition services, medical treatment, and follow-up care; all provided free of charge, along with transport assistance when the family needed to travel for referral care. 

“What helped me the most was that we did not have to pay,” Salama says. “They treated us for free and even supported us with food and transport. Without this help, [getting proper treatment] would be impossible.” 

Today, Salama continues to face daily hardship as a displaced mother with limited resources, but Gabriel’s recovery has given her hope amid ongoing uncertainty. His progress also highlights the importance of early intervention for children with severe malnutrition, as timely treatment can prevent lifelong, and often irreversible impacts on their growth.

*Name changed for protection. 

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