Celéstin had started to show signs of malaria, a flu-like disease that can become fatal if left untreated.
When her mother brought her to the Bugiri health centre, Maria was told that her baby girl was also suffering from malnutrition.
“I was really surprised and worried when I was told that my daughter was malnourished. I couldn’t imagine it,” explains Marie.
They were, however, in the right place for Celéstin to get better.
The Bugiri health centre is supported by Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) through the EAST programme, and this means that people can receive free care at the clinic.
Celéstin has been receiving free treatment and nutritional supplements from the health centre. Meanwhile, Marie has been regularly attending cooking workshops organised by the programme, where she is improving her skills in nutrition and child care.
“I realised that it was the lack of vitamins and proper hygiene that made my daughter ill. It is difficult for us to find nutritious food for the children. Sometimes, we rely on small day-to-day jobs to earn enough to eat,” she explains.
Marie was, understandably, extremely anxious about the health of her youngest child. Celéstin, however, is on the road to recovery.
“I was very worried at first, but now my daughter is healthy,” concludes Marie.