Supporting a Malnourished Child and Strengthening a Family in Borno
Volunteer: Susan
Location: Borno State
At the Empowered Servants Global Initiative (ESGI), we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, nourished, and full of hope. Yet, in many communities, families are forced to make difficult decisions because of financial limitations, often affecting access to healthcare and proper nutrition.
This week’s outreach from Borno highlights how compassion, practical support, and basic health education combined to bring relief to a family struggling to care for a seriously ill child.
Encountering a Family in Distress
During one of the week’s community outreaches, the volunteer team encountered a family whose young son, Axxxxx, was visibly unwell.
The child appeared severely malnourished and weak, raising immediate concern for his wellbeing.
As the team spoke with his parents, they learned that the family had previously taken him to a hospital for treatment. However, due to mounting medical expenses and fear of accumulating additional hospital bills, they made the difficult decision to request discharge and continue caring for him at home.
Like many vulnerable families facing economic hardship, they found themselves caught between the need for medical care and the financial realities of sustaining it.
A Child in Need of Urgent Care
The condition of the young boy highlighted the challenges many families face when access to healthcare and adequate nutrition becomes difficult.
Although the parents were doing their best with the resources available to them, it was evident that the child needed additional support to improve his health and regain strength.
Rather than simply observing the situation, the outreach team responded with both compassion and practical assistance.
Ministering Through Prayer
Because the family came from a different faith background, the team respectfully sought permission before praying for the child.
The parents willingly agreed.
Gathering around the young boy, the team prayed for him, asking God to bring healing, strength, and restoration to his body.
At ESGI, we believe that showing Christ’s love involves respecting people, meeting them where they are, and serving them with humility and compassion.
Moments like these create opportunities to build trust and demonstrate God’s love in practical ways.
Applying Medical Knowledge to Meet Immediate Needs
In addition to prayer, the outreach team drew upon their medical knowledge and experience to assess the situation.
Based on the child’s symptoms and condition, they recommended an appropriate anthelmintic treatment and immediately purchased a single dose for him at a cost of ₦1,000.
Recognizing that medication alone would not address the broader issue of malnutrition, they also focused on improving the child’s nutritional intake.
Supporting Better Nutrition
To help the family provide healthier meals for their son, ESGI transferred ₦9,000 to the child’s mother.
The purpose of the support was to enable the family purchase food items rich in protein and other nutrients necessary for the boy’s recovery and growth.
Beyond providing financial assistance, the team took time to educate the mother on:
Appropriate high-protein foods to purchase.
Nutrient-rich meal options suitable for the child.
Practical ways to prepare balanced meals with available resources.
Nutritional habits that could contribute to the boy’s overall health improvement.
This combination of financial support and health education ensured that the intervention addressed both immediate and ongoing needs.
Joy and Gratitude
The response from the family was deeply moving.
As the assistance was provided and practical guidance shared, the parents’ faces brightened with relief and gratitude.
What had begun as a situation marked by worry and helplessness became an encounter filled with hope and encouragement.
The parents repeatedly expressed their appreciation for the care, concern, and support shown to their family.
More importantly, they felt reassured that they were not facing their challenges alone.
Empowering Families Through Compassion
This outreach reflects ESGI’s holistic approach to serving communities.
True empowerment often involves more than financial assistance. It includes:
Listening to people’s concerns.
Offering emotional support.
Providing practical solutions.
Sharing knowledge that promotes long-term wellbeing.
Demonstrating the love of Christ through compassionate service.
By addressing both health and nutritional needs, the intervention helped strengthen the family’s ability to care for their child moving forward.
Conclusion
This week’s outreach from Borno serves as a powerful reminder that small acts of compassion can have life-changing impact.
Through prayer, medical guidance, nutritional education, and financial support, ESGI was able to stand alongside a family during a difficult season and provide practical help for a child in need.
We remain grateful to every ESGI financier, volunteer, and partner whose generosity makes these interventions possible.
Together, we continue to bring healing, hope, and dignity to vulnerable families while demonstrating the love of Christ through action.
To God alone be all the glory.