In drought-stricken Wajir County, Kenya, 37-year-old Barey* and her children, Maryan* and Abdullahi*, faced life-threatening malnutrition after losing their livestock. With support from Save the Children, including emergency nutrition treatment and cash transfers, the family recovered and rebuilt their lives—showcasing the power of timely humanitarian assistance.
Barey* sits with her two children, Maryan* and Abdullahi* as they eat peanut paste. She engages in a conversation with Nutrition Officer from Save the Children, in her kitchen during a follow-up visit to monitor the children’s progress. Samfelix Randa / Save the Children
In the remote and arid lands of Wajir County, where life is dictated by the rhythms of nature, 37-year-old Barey* once thrived as a nomadic pastoralist. Migrating seasonally in search of water and grazing land, her family’s livelihood revolved around their herd of over 100 cows and 50 goats. The livestock provided milk to nourish her two young children—Maryan*, aged three, and Abdullahi* , aged four. Occasionally, Barey would sell an animal to meet essential needs, such as purchasing food and clean water delivered by boda boda riders who braved the arid terrain.
But this life of balance was shattered when a severe drought swept through the region, decimating their livestock and plunging the family into despair.
Without their animals, the family lost their source of income, food, and water. Forced to survive in the bush, they endured contaminated water, scarce food, and watched helplessly as their animals perished one by one. Barey struggled to care for her children, feeding them raw milk from the few remaining goats. This exacerbated their health issues. Diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid weight loss became constant battles. Her once-lively children grew frail, their cries of hunger and pain piercing the silence of the desolate bushland.
I watched helplessly as my younger child, Maryan, grew weaker each day,” Barey recalls, her voice trembling. “She was so fragile, I feared I might lose her.
Help came when they crossed paths with Hassan Aden Ali, a Community Health Volunteer (CHV) trained by Save the Children. Hassan’s role involves monitoring immunization rates, educating families, and reaching nomadic communities wherever they relocate to trace defaulters. During one of his rounds, Hassan encountered Barey’s family.
“I saw Maryan—her condition was dire. She was extremely weak, and her health had deteriorated significantly. I knew immediate action was needed,” says Hassan.
Hassan also discovered that Maryan and Abdullahi had missed their immunizations for two months and were heading into a third. He quickly linked the family to Save the Children’s outreach program in Bisicha village.
At the outreach camp, Save the Children’s nutrition officers screened Maryan and Abdullahi. The diagnosis confirmed severe malnutrition, missed Immunization, and the urgent need for medical attention. Both children were immediately treated, immunized, and enrolled in the Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP), where they received life-saving Plumpy’Nut—a therapeutic food critical for their recovery.
Barey* carrying her child, receives therapeutic food from a Community Health Volunteer (CHV) during an outreach activity in Bosicha, Wajir County. Save the Children provides malnutrition screenings and treatment for drought-affected children through their outreach program, which emphasizes regular health monitoring and the early detection and treatment of malnutrition. Samfelix Randa / Save the Children
Save the Children also enrolled Barey in their cash transfer program, providing her with Ksh. 13,600 ($105) monthly. These funds enabled Barey to leave the bush, where she had built a makeshift shelter, and rebuild her life in Bisicha village. With the money, she purchased nutritious food and ensured her family had access to clean water.
Save the Children’s support helped me stand again,” Barey says. “The cash transfer allowed me to move back to the village, feed my children properly, and give them a chance to recover.
The assistance extended beyond immediate relief. Save the Children’s health and nutrition education sessions taught Barey about balanced diets, proper hygiene, and breastfeeding practices.
“My children began to recover,” Barey shares, a glimmer of hope lighting her face. “Maryan and Abdullahi regained their strength. Their laughter returned, filling our home with joy.”
Save the Children’s Nutrition Officer, Hujale Adan, reflects on the family’s transformation: “When I first met Barey’s family, the children’s condition was critical. But with the proper medication, therapeutic food, education, and financial support, they’ve made a remarkable recovery. This holistic approach has not only saved their lives but empowered Barey to sustain her children’s well-being.”
One year later, the results were extraordinary. Maryan’s Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) improved from 9.9 to 14.3 cm, and his weight increased from 12.7 to 14.5 kg. Abdullahi’s MUAC rose from 12.1 to 15.1 cm, and his weight grew from 14.4 to 16.7 kg. Both children transitioned from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) to Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and are now fully recovered and discharged from the program.
Today, Barey stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. With the unwavering support of Save the Children, her family has overcome the devastating impact of drought. Her children are healthy, her household is stable, and she envisions a brighter future.
By Samfelix Randa
Hassan, a Community Health Volunteer (CHV) in Wajir (Blue Tshirt), visits a nomadic pastoralist family in the bush to monitor and trace immunization defaulters. Through Hassan’s dedication, countless children’s lives have been saved by identifying malnutrition cases early, providing referrals for immunization and medical care, and enrolling families in the Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) and cash transfer initiatives. Samfelix Randa / Save the Children
