In a vital initiative aimed at ensuring no child dies from preventable causes, Save the Children, with financing from UNICEF, is implementing the MAMI project in Mozambique to support infants under six months at nutritional risk. By combining specialized healthcare with strategic cash transfers, this initiative addresses the root causes of malnutrition, empowering vulnerable mothers to provide life-saving care and nutrition for their babies. Through this integrated approach, we are protecting the most fragile lives and building a foundation for a future where every child can survive and thrive.
In the heart of Mozambique’s most vulnerable communities, a quiet but determined effort is unfolding to protect the lives of those most at risk: infants under six months old and their mothers. The MAMI project—focused on the Management of Small and Nutritionally At Risk Infants and their Mothers—is bridging a critical gap in neonatal care. By integrating health services with a strategic cash transfer component, Save the Children is ensuring that the first 1,000 days of life are defined by growth rather than struggle. This vital work, which addresses the physical and psychological well-being of the family unit, is made possible through the generous financing and partnership of UNICEF.
For many families in these regions, malnutrition is not merely a health issue but a result of systemic barriers. Distance to clinics, the high cost of transport, and the lack of diverse food options often force mothers to make impossible choices. The introduction of a monthly cash transfer of 2,500 MT via mobile wallets like M-Pesa/Vodacom acts as a lifeline. This support empowers mothers to overcome economic stress, allowing them to afford the transportation needed for medical check-ups and to purchase nutrient-dense local foods. By stabilising the home environment, the project directly promotes Exclusive Breastfeeding and reduces the need for emergency hospitalisations, creating a sustainable foundation for child survival.
The true impact of this intervention is best seen through the eyes of the mothers themselves. In the community of Nivenevene, we met AD, a 13-year-old mother whose journey began in a state of extreme crisis. Her baby was born weighing just 1.7kg, and AD herself was suffering from painful mastitis and severe food insecurity. The physical pain of her infection, coupled with the inability to afford the 20km journey to the nearest health unit, meant her baby’s weight began to drop dangerously. When AD was enrolled in the Cash Transfer programme, the transformation was immediate. The funds allowed her to seek medical treatment for her infection and buy healthy foods like beans and greens. Today, her baby weighs a healthy 4.4kg at just two and a half months old. "With this money, I managed to eat better and felt stronger to breastfeed my son," she shared, reflecting a newfound confidence in her ability to care for her child.
A similar story of resilience emerged from the Megaruma resettlement centre. YF, an 18-year-old single mother, gave birth to a premature baby after a pregnancy marked by social and nutritional challenges. Without the resources to access prenatal vitamins or adequate meals, she struggled to produce enough milk. Her inclusion in the MAMI project changed her reality. With the financial support, she was able to move from irregular meals to eating three times a day, incorporating maize, groundnuts, and vegetables into her diet. Her daughter, FP, who was once at high nutritional risk, is now growing "strong and fat." YF recalls a time when she lacked the strength even to hold her baby; now, she stands as a testament to the power of integrated nutrition and social protection.
These stories underscore that the MAMI project is more than just a medical intervention; it is a collaborative effort to restore dignity and autonomy to families in challenging environments. By monitoring key indicators such as weight gain, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and maternal satisfaction, Save the Children ensures that every pound spent translates into a life saved. Through the continued support of UNICEF and our dedicated teams on the ground, we are proving that when a mother is nourished and supported, her child has the best possible chance to survive, learn, and be protected.
