The second largest country of Africa, full of paradoxes. On one hand, it is rich in natural resources (including cobalt, copper, coltan, crude oil, diamonds, gold); on the other hand, its inhabitants are among the poorest in the world. For decades, the DRC has been suffering from prolonged conflicts that have led to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world.
The nutrition center at our Saint Raphael Hospital in Ntamugenga is the only institution of this kind so well equipped in the entire province of Northern Kivu. The center helps at least 80 children every week. We help the youngest with diagnosed malnutrition, which can lead to hunger disease that poses a threat to their lives. We treat clinical malnutrition at one of our hospital wards. At the nutrition center, the children get four meals a day and food for those days, which they spend in their villages before the next visit.
The nutrition center in Congo (DRC) is usually a very calm place, because the children who have lost their appetite also lose their joy and energy. Luckily, thanks to YOU, this joy and energy are coming back!!!
When the children are eating, we teach their parents to cultivate plants in our hospital garden. They also get familiar with the basic principles of nutrition. In this way, we hope to prevent further cases of malnutrition among children. The center is supervised by two qualified employees, a cook and a nutrition specialist. Thanks to closeness of our hospital, the mothers staying at the center with their children undergo medical checks.
The nurses regularly visit their patients at home. The visits are unexpected and their aim is to check whether the guardians have been following the recommendations of the nutrition center. We check whether the parents trained at the hospital garden have established small home gardens of their own to enrich the diet of their family. The nurses also check whether the food rations received from the nutrition center are really given to children that have just recovered. They weigh and examine the children, telling their parents and guardians that they would be back with another unexpected visit.
The cost of one meal is 4 EUR. To us, it’s just as much as a cup of coffee or a glass of juice. For them, it is the only chance to regain health.
06.04.2024
– What do you do in times of war? – We help Grace brush her teeth. I would show you photos, but taking photos during the war isn’t allowed. It could get you shot. It has happened to a few already. You have to be very careful. – Our supplies are dwindling. Everyone is eagerly […]
26.01.2024
“I think he knew, even though he was so little. He didn’t even complain that it hurt anymore.” Three days ago, Filip stopped eating. Sister Agnieszka managed to make a deal – the boy promised he would try to eat something, but he really wanted to return home to his dad for the weekend. Just […]
23.11.2023
On World Children’s Day, we look back on the last 10 years during which the Good Factory has supported young patients at a hospital and nutrition centre in Ntamugenga in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has been a remarkable 10 years dedicated to caring for children who face enormous health challenges. We care for […]
