In a remote village, northern Afghanistan, Habiba*, a 34-year-old mother, faces the daily struggle of raising her eight children. Life has never been easy for Habiba*, who balances the demanding role of caring for her family with scarce resources, limited support, and the ever-present worry of making ends meet. 

Habiba* has five daughters and three sons. Her eldest daughter is just 12, while her youngest baby is only 8 months old. Her husband, Ahmed*, is a farmer who works tirelessly on their 6-acre plot, primarily cultivating cotton. Despite their hard work, the family’s situation took a devastating turn last winter when a poor harvest left them without a stable income. 

As the crops withered in the field due to a harsh drought, Ahmed* could no longer sustain the family. The inadequate returns forced him to take up temporary labour jobs, which provided only a little of what they needed to survive. With a family this size, his income wasn’t nearly enough. Soon, Habiba’s* own health began to deteriorate. She lost her appetite, felt constant fatigue, and struggled to produce enough breast milk to feed her child. Without adequate nutrition, she turned to cow’s milk and whatever scarce food she could find, but it wasn’t sufficient. 

Habiba’s* health decline was alarming. She often prioritised her children’s needs over her own, sacrificing her meals so that her children could eat “There were times when I fed my children and went to bed hungry myself. Although it happened rarely, there 
are moments when we must put our children's needs first”. She would put on a brave face, feeding her family and then quietly going to bed hungry. When her condition worsened, she finally sought help at a nearby Save the Children clinic, where the medical staff diagnosed her with severe malnutrition. Using a MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference), they put her on a treatment plan. 

The clinic’s support was a lifeline for Habiba*. They provided her with (super cereal) — a nutrient-rich blend fortified with essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, protein, and energy — which was critical for her recovery “I received flour (super cereal) four times along with other medications, and it was highly effective. After a 
while, I was able to start feeding my child properly. Now, I am healthy and can continue to nourish my child”. Alongside nutritional support, the clinic addressed her other health issues, including persistent stomach problems and backaches. The comprehensive health assessment enabled doctors to tailor the treatment to her specific needs. 

The assistance didn’t stop there. Save the Children ensured that her children, too, were cared for. With appropriate medication and regular check-ups, the family’s overall health gradually improved. As a mother, seeing her children receive adequate treatment brought Habiba* a much-needed sense of relief.