For Maria Mose, the promise of a second marriage offered a glimmer of hope after the heart-wrenching end of her first. A devoted mother of three, she believed that marrying Mr. Kachulu would bring stability and happiness. Initially, their family basked in a warm glow of unity, sharing laughter and dreams. Maria was convinced that a new baby would further solidify their bond, unaware that her decision would soon plunge her into a nightmare.

Just two months after their wedding, Maria discovered she was pregnant. Mr. Kachulu was overjoyed, his excitement igniting a flicker of hope in Maria’s heart that perhaps this time would be different. But as the months slipped by, shadows began to creep into their once-happy home. When Maria gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Alinafe, the joy was palpable—but it was short-lived.

Barely eight months after Alinafe’s arrival, Maria found herself pregnant again. This news shattered the fragile peace of their household. Mr. Kachulu, once a supportive partner, turned cold and distant. Tensions rose as he pressed Maria to seek family planning, but in her heart, she knew the truth—she was already pregnant. Terrified of his reaction, she made excuses, hoping to avoid confrontation.

The air in their home grew heavy with unspoken words. When Maria finally confessed, the reaction was explosive. Mr. Kachulu, furious and overwhelmed, stopped providing for the family and soon left her for another woman from a neighboring village. Just like that, Maria found herself alone, burdened with the care of five children, including a newborn. The weight of the world felt like it was crushing her.

Alinafe, the youngest, bore the brunt of their misfortune. While her siblings could seek refuge with relatives, Alinafe was too little to venture out on her own. As hunger gnawed at their bellies, Maria’s health deteriorated, leaving her unable to care for her children. With no food and no strength, she felt like she was sinking deeper into despair.

Days turned into weeks, and Maria's despair grew. Alinafe’s laughter, once a soothing balm, faded into silence as her health began to crumble. Maria, overwhelmed by her struggles, neglected to seek help, even as she watched her baby suffer from severe malnutrition.

But fate had a different plan. Through a door-to-door screening initiative from Story Workshop, a dedicated promoter knocked on Maria's door. With a sense of urgency, they conducted a screening using a MUAC tape. The measurement—11.5 cm—was a chilling indicator of Alinafe’s dire condition.

Recognizing the urgency, the promoter swiftly referred Alinafe to a health center, where she was confirmed to be malnourished and quickly admitted into a life-saving program. “She was getting four sachets of RUTF per day, and her appetite surged; she even cried for more,” the promoter recalled, tears of relief in their eyes.

Maria watched as her baby began to flourish, gradually reclaiming her strength and spirit. But the journey wasn’t over. Despite her commitment to getting Alinafe the help she needed, Maria still resisted going to antenatal clinics for her own health, citing the distance as a barrier.

In a heartwarming twist, the promoter encouraged her to attend a nearby outreach clinic just five kilometers away. At seven months pregnant, Maria finally took the brave step to start attending antenatal care, pledging to deliver at a hospital—a decision that filled her with newfound hope.

Today, Alinafe is thriving, having been discharged from the RUTF program. Maria, from Mukhwera Village, GVH Taulo, TA Ngwelero, has emerged from the shadows of despair, supported by the Risk Communication and Community Engagement project implemented by Story Workshop with funding from USAID through UNICEF. In this journey of heartache and hope, Maria has found her strength, proving that even in the darkest times, love and resilience can light the way forward.

Alinafe's booklet where screened results were recorded