Deejay was quiet when she first brought her infant daughter to the nutritional center in south-central Niger, Africa. She relied on her grandmother to answer questions about 10-month-old Mariama.

"She vomits and has diarrhea. She doesn't cry anymore. This worries me," said Deejay's grandmother, Naraba, as she described the baby's condition to nutritionist Hajera Hassan. "She's lost her strength. She used to crawl. Look at her now."

Deejay just stared quietly at the ground. Many Nigerian mothers avoid discussing their firstborn children, fearing that mentioning their names can summon bad luck.

Hajera measured Mariama and announced her weight: 4.8 kilograms (10.5 pounds)—a definite indication that the baby was severely malnourished. "Please, God, spare this child," Naraba exclaimed.

Malnutrition rates for children in Niger soar during the lean season between harvests. Twenty percent of children under age five screened in the first two weeks of August were found to be malnourished. The type of therapeutic outreach offered at the center is critical to preserving lives. Mariama's quick progress toward recovery would not have been possible in their village.

Mariama was given ATMIT, a sweet porridge made by Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ATMIT has been shown to alleviate malnutrition. The Church is a significant partner with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in humanitarian aid around the world. CRS provides support for the nutritional center, one of 16 run by the government of Niger and Helen Keller International.

In the last three years, Humanitarian Services of the Church has shipped more than 4.3 million pounds of ATMIT powder to several countries in Africa. ATMIT is mixed in facilities located at Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Just one week later, Deejay leaped up when Hajera approached with her scale. Accustomed now to discussing Mariama's health, Deejay eagerly reported that the baby had started to whine and search for ATMIT. As Mariama was weighed, Deejay hummed, confident the baby's condition had improved. "Five point four kilograms (just under 12 pounds)," Hajera announced. The news made Deejay sing out Mariama’s name.

Adapted from a story written by Adriane Seibert (Niamey, Niger). Used with permission of Catholic Relief Services.

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January 09, 2007