Nana has given birth to six daughters, but has only two left. Four of her children died as a result of poverty, malnourishment and disease.
The youngest, Firdaoussi passed away. She was four years old and severely malnourished. Nana took her daughter to a health centre near her village in Niger, Western Africa, but it was too late.
“My family had been suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. This caused the death of my daughter Firdaoussi. The loss of my child affects me greatly. I gave birth six times but I only have these two girls left.”
Nana, aged 30, does everything she can to look after her husband Ibrahim and their children. Every morning she wakes up at 6am, prays and greets her in-laws.
Nana goes to work grinding millet for wealthy people in the village. She also collects firewood in the forest. Her husband goes from village to village teaching the Quran (religious text) to children.
“We also sometimes have to beg and receive help from others in times of need. When people need extra help, I work for them. I do it for the money to buy something for my children and me. The most important people in my life are my family- especially my daughters and my husband.”
Nana and her family survive on millet mixed with another plant, sorghum. They used to have cow’s milk too, but it’s been scarce. Families in parts of Niger are struggling with a third less food and money than is necessary to survive. Due to poor crops and rising food prices, millions are going hungry.
“We live in poverty on a daily basis. The most important thing in my life is having enough to eat, because without food a person can’t do anything.”
In 2012, Save the Children’s work reached a quarter of a million people in Niger like Nana and her family. We supported 118 health posts, 37 health centres and two hospitals. In just six months, Save the Children treated 13,000 malnourished children.