Mother of two, Nodumo, struggled to provide enough breastmilk for her 7-month-old baby Isabel when severe drought impacted her farming business and forced her to live on one meal a day. She received a special nutritious porridge that increased her milk supply and when Isabel was old enough she also started eating it. Nodumo also joined a mother's group where they exchange parenting tips and learn about their children's health.
In the arid plains of Bulilima, Zimbabwe, the El Niño-induced drought left families struggling for survival. Among the hardest hit was Nodumo, a mother of two, including a breastfeeding infant.
Surviving on One Meal a Day
Nodumo, like many in her community, relies on farming to feed her family. But in 2023, the rains never came. The drought destroyed their crops, leaving them with nothing to harvest.
“My husband and I depend on farming for our family's food, but 2023 was not a good year. The drought destroyed all our crops, leaving us with nothing to harvest,” she said.
The family turned to small, irregular jobs in exchange for food — but this was not enough. Most days, Nodumo had only one meal — a big challenge, especially while breastfeeding her daughter, Isabel.
“I was worried about my milk supply. I wasn’t eating well, so I could not produce enough milk. I was scared my child would get sick,” she recalled.
A Lifeline During the Lean Season
Relief came through a nutrition program run by Save the Children and the Organisation of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The initiative provided Corn Soya Blend (CSB) porridge — a nutrient-dense food aimed at supporting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and young children during Zimbabwe’s lean season.
“I have been receiving the monthly supply of porridge since October last year,” Nodumo said. “Since I started eating it, my milk has increased, and my baby is getting enough breastmilk.”
Each month, Nodumo received 8kg of porridge — enough to meet her and her children’s dietary needs. The porridge is easy to prepare, rich in vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates — and, most importantly, it’s helping her children thrive.
Feeding Bodies, Building Knowledge
When Isabel reached six months, Nodumo introduced her to solid foods using the same porridge.
“I can see that my child is healthy,” she said. “Even when I take her to the clinic for check-ups, the nurses tell me she is doing well.”
The program went beyond just food. Community Health Workers were trained enhancing their capacity to support Mother-to-Mother Care Groups. Through these groups, mothers in Bulilima are coming together to learn, share, and support one another.
“We meet once a month and learn about hygiene, child nutrition, and how to prepare healthy meals. We also talk about our worries and share our successes,” Nodumo explained. “It’s not just about the food — it’s about the support.”
Looking Ahead with Hope
Thanks to better rains this year, Nodumo is hopeful about the future.
“This year, we received good rain, and we managed to produce food that will last us for some time. The porridge helped us while we waited for our harvest,” she shared.
Through this six-month initiative, Save the Children and ORAP supported 4,272 children and 2,396 pregnant and lactating mothers, providing not only emergency nutrition but also building long-term knowledge and community support to fight malnutrition in Zimbabwe.
