“The future of our children’s health – and ours – lies in our hands,” said Teofila, a mum and volunteer from a rural community in Lautem, Timor-Leste.

Earlier this year, Lautem Health Centre became more than just a place of care; it was alive with energy and anticipation as mums, volunteers and health workers gathered to celebrate World Health Day. For the women of Lautem, the day wasn’t just about speeches or slogans. The theme this year, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ provided a fruitful opportunity to reflect on their progress, share achievements and look ahead to the healthier future they’re building for their children and community, together.

As the event unfolded, it became clear: today was a day of action. At the heart of the health centre, a cooking competition was underway, with six teams of mums and volunteers preparing locally sourced meals. Each dish reflected the knowledge they’ve gained about nutrition and health. The competition wasn’t just about cooking; it symbolised the community’s united effort to address persistent challenges like malnutrition and poor infant health. It was a celebration of their achievements and a powerful reminder of the work still ahead.

Tackling health challenges together

While maternal mortality rates in Timor-Leste have improved, the country still faces challenges, with the maternal mortality ratio at 204 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the  World Health Organization (WHO).

In Lautem, however, real progress is being made. Health volunteer groups, once disbanded due to the end of projects and changes in government priorities, have been reinstated with ChildFund’s support. These groups, mostly made up of women, have been trained in maternal and child health, nutrition and hygiene, and are now helping to spread this knowledge across their communities.

The result? More mums are choosing to give birth in health centres, and families are becoming more aware of the importance of basic health practices like nutrition and hygiene. With regular training for volunteers, these efforts are continuing to grow and making a lasting difference in the region.

Community wellbeing, driven by women

Women in Lautem are taking charge; learning, advocating and leading the way to a healthier future. Below, three local mums share their stories.

A volunteer with a mission

Teofila, 40, is more than just a volunteer – she’s a lifeline for her village. As a member of the Mothers Support Group, a collective of local women focused on improving maternal and child health, Teofila plays a pivotal role in driving positive change in Lautem.

“I’ve always believed that we need to support each other as women,” she said. “That’s why I’ve committed to helping other mums in my village.” With guidance and training provided by ChildFund, Teofila leads health education sessions covering nutrition, breastfeeding, hygiene and maternal health. Through ChildFund’s training, Teofila has developed the skills and confidence to lead these vital health sessions, creating a ripple effect of awareness throughout her community.

“When we spot malnutrition, we act immediately,” Teofila explained. “We get them into the NERS program for support.” (The Nutrition Education and Rehabilitation Support program focuses on identifying and managing malnutrition early.)

Teofila is committed to educating mums on the importance of nutrition but also acknowledges the challenge of affordability. “Many mums know what nutritious food to feed their children, but they can’t always afford it,” she said.

To address this, Teofila encourages families to grow their own vegetables at home. “Many families can’t afford to buy fresh produce, so we promote growing their own vegetables in their backyards or small vegetable patches,” she explained. “This way, they have direct access to fresh, nutritious food without the cost.”

“When we spot malnutrition, we act immediately.”

Teofila also advocates for families to consume the animals they raise – such as chickens or goats – rather than selling them to buy processed foods. “By eating what they raise, families can improve their diet without spending money on processed foods that are often less nutritious,” she added.

Despite the challenges, Teofila is determined to bring change. She travels long distances to visit mums, helping them access vital information and resources. She also encourages women to give birth at health centres for the safety of both mum and child, in line with WHO recommendations that skilled birth attendance drastically reduces maternal and newborn mortality.

“Some women live in remote areas and do not have access to essential health information,” said Teofila. “I travel to them and explain that giving birth at a health centre is the safest option, as health professionals can provide the necessary support, especially in emergencies.”

A proud moment for Iria

The cooking competition was an important opportunity for Iria, a 31-year-old mum. For her, it wasn’t just about winning – it was a chance to showcase what she had learnt and to continue supporting her family with healthy meals. Her team prepared two dishes: porridge with local chicken, spinach and pumpkin, and another with fish, spinach and tomatoes.

“When the judges asked us about the purpose of each ingredient on our menu, I explained that chicken is a source of protein which helps with a child’s growth and development. Rice provides energy to strengthen a child’s body. We also served ripe bananas as dessert” said Ira.

“For us, the challenge is often finding the right ingredients. Garlic’s rare, and spinach can be hard to find. But when we can, we always try to make nutritious food for our children.”

Despite feeling a bit nervous, Iria’s team took first place in the competition. “We won because we worked well together. Everyone knew their role, and we supported each other,” she said. “It felt like a great achievement.”

As winners, Iria’s team was awarded maternal kits filled with essential items like blankets, clothes, thermos flasks and toothbrushes. These kits are vital for new mums, especially when last-minute preparation is difficult due to urgent labour or distance from health facilities. 

A first-time participant, a lifelong learner

Santina, a mum of six, made a strong impression at her first World Health Day event. Despite attending only one health promotion session, she was the first to answer during the nutrition-focused quiz. She said that she’s put her newfound knowledge, and is continually looking for ways to improve her family’s wellbeing.

“I always try to cook nutritious meals for my kids using whatever we have at home. When I was pregnant, I made sure to visit the health centre regularly because I knew it was important.”

Santina’s commitment to her family’s health became even more personal after her niece tragically passed away during a home birth. “I don’t want that to happen to anyone in my family,” she shared. “Accessing health services is critical.”

“I always try to cook nutritious meals for my kids using whatever we have at home. When I was pregnant, I made sure to visit the health centre regularly because I knew it was important.”

More work lies ahead

As the event came to a close, attendees were in a reflective mood, speaking about their shared responsibility to improve community wellbeing.

“We all have a role in making sure our children are healthy,” said Iria. “This is just the beginning. I want to share what I’ve learnt with others in my village.”

“We all have a role in making sure our children are healthy.”

Teofila remains hopeful about the future. “More mums are visiting health centres, they’re feeding their children better, and they’re improving hygiene at home. We’ve made progress, but there’s always more to do.”

The journey is far from over, but with continued support and action, a healthier future for Lautem families is within reach.

Learn more about our work in Timor-Leste.

When Siti* welcomed her seventh child, Amara*, her only daughter, she was filled with a mix of joy and deep fear. After suffering the heartbreaking loss of her stillborn baby before Amara, she feared history might repeat itself. Would Amara survive?

Siti and her husband, Agus*, live in a remote village on the island of Sumba, in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. They grow a variety of crops – rice, mangoes, bananas, corn, cassava and taro root –to sustain their family. On good days, when the harvest is plentiful, there is a little extra to sell. Siti also weaves traditional cotton cloth to contribute to the family’s income.

From the start, Amara was a fragile baby, but her health began to deteriorate when Siti weaned her at six months and introduced solid foods, like rice and bananas. By the time Amara turned 10 months old, she was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition during a routine health check-up.

“Amara was so sick. She was having diarrhea. She had no energy. She was very thin. She was malnourished because I could not afford to buy good food for her,” Siti recalls. “I felt hopeless. At that time, I was hoping Amara would survive. Another child in the village had just died from malnutrition.”

After Amara’s diagnosis, a facilitator from ChildFund’s local partner organisation, Sumba Integrated Development, reached out to Siti. Through this partnership, Siti attended ChildFund’s responsive parenting classes. Here, she learned how to improve sanitation and hygiene at home, the vital importance of play and communication, and how to prepare nourishing meals from the foods grown in her own garden. Moringa leaves, which grow plentifully in the village, have become a key ingredient in her cooking.

Through the program, local facilitators also helped Siti navigate government services, allowing her to access a small stipend for nutritious food. Many families miss out on this support due to lack of awareness or difficulty with the paperwork. With this extra income, Siti prioritises buying fish and eggs for Amara when she can. Amara’s progress is closely monitored at the monthly ChildFund-supported parenting sessions. Although her weight has improved, she is still not fully recovered from the devastating effects of malnutrition.

“I want to continue to go to these parenting classes until Amara grows up,” says Siti. “Amara looks so much happier than my older children. I wish I had that knowledge earlier in life.”

Understanding Malnutrition and Undernutrition

The terms “malnutrition” and “undernutrition” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is an umbrella term that refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. In fact, it encompasses both undernutrition and overnutrition. Here’s what each one means:

What is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition refers to a situation where a person’s diet is either lacking in essential nutrients, contains too much of certain foods, or is imbalanced in some way. It can result in both undernutrition (not getting enough nutrients) and overnutrition (getting too many nutrients, often in the form of excess calories).

What is Undernutrition?

Undernutrition is a type of malnutrition, specifically referring to a deficiency in calories, protein, and/or essential vitamins and minerals. People who are undernourished don’t get enough of the nutrients they need to stay healthy and grow properly.

There are a few key signs of undernutrition:

• Stunting: When children don’t grow tall enough for their age due to a lack of nutrients.
• Wasting: When someone’s weight is too low for their height, often due to severe lack of food or illness.
• Underweight: When a person’s weight is too low for their age or height.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A or iron, which can lead to serious health issues.

Undernutrition can result from various factors like poverty, limited access to healthy food or illness. It’s a global issue that affects millions, particularly in low-income countries.

Why It Matters

Undernutrition weakens the immune system, stunts growth and can lead to developmental delays in children. It also increases the risk of diseases and even death in severe cases. By understanding the difference between malnutrition and undernutrition, we can better address the causes and work toward a healthier future for everyone, including kids like Amara.

The Broader Impact of Malnutrition on Children

Malnutrition doesn’t just stem from food shortages – it’s tied to deeper issues like poverty, conflict, climate change and inequality.  

• Climate change is reducing crop yields, making food less accessible.
• Conflict displaces families, disrupting food supplies and worsening malnutrition.  
• Mass migration forces families into unstable living conditions with limited access to nutrition.  
• Economic hardship puts vulnerable children, like Amara, at greater risk of malnutrition.  
• Chronic undernutrition leads to stunting, impairing cognitive development and overall health.  
• Malnourished children often suffer from conditions like anaemia and weakened immunity. You may notice they have bloated bellies – this is often a sign of protein deficiency, causing fluid retention.  

Preventing and Identifying Malnutrition

Early intervention is key to preventing long-term damage. Here’s how we can stop malnutrition before it starts:  

• Growth monitoring to track weight, height and development.  
• Vitamin supplements to prevent deficiencies.  
• Deworming to improve nutrient absorption.
• Vaccinations to protect children from infections that weaken their health.  
• Prenatal check-ups to ensure mothers get proper nutrition, preventing low birthweight and undernutrition in newborns.
• Infant and child feeding programs to educate parents on proper nutrition for young children.

These efforts don’t just help individual children – they contribute to reducing global malnutrition rates.  

How Fundraising and International Development Programs Help

Ending malnutrition requires a collective, global effort. Through fundraising and international development programs, we can expand access to nutrition programs, improve maternal health and support community-based interventions.

Global initiatives focus on:  

• Severe malnutrition treatment: Expanding access to therapeutic feeding programs.
• Food security projects: Supporting sustainable agriculture to prevent crop failures.
• Education on malnutrition and development: Raising awareness of the long-term effects of poor nutrition.  

By addressing the root causes of malnutrition – poverty, food insecurity and inadequate healthcare – we can improve the lives of millions of malnourished children worldwide.  

How Many Children Are Malnourished in the World?

According to the latest malnutrition estimates, millions of children still suffer from undernutrition, requiring urgent action:  

• Stunting (low height-for-age): In 2022, approximately 148.1 million children under five were stunted, representing 22.3% of this age group.  
• Wasting (low weight-for-height): In the same year, about 45 million children under five were wasted, accounting for 6.8% of children in this age bracket.  
• Overweight: Additionally, 37 million children under five were overweight in 2022, which is 5.6% of the global under-five population.  

These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive nutrition programs, increased awareness, and advocacy to combat child malnutrition worldwide.  

By supporting nutrition programs, spreading awareness and advocating for policies that address malnutrition and development, we can create a world where no child suffers from the devastating effects of hunger.  

How You Can Help Malnourished Children

If you want to help prevent malnutrition and improve the lives of malnourished children, consider:  

• Donating to child nutrition programs
• Supporting fundraising efforts for food security projects
• Raising awareness about the causes of malnutrition by sharing this article

Together, we can create change. By addressing malnutrition and undernutrition, we’re helping children like Amara build a strong foundation for their future. Every action we take, from supporting nutrition programs to raising awareness, plays a part in breaking the cycle of poverty and poor health.

With your support, more children will have access to the nourishment they need to grow healthier and more resilient.

Learn more about our food and nutrition programs.

*Name changed to protect individuals’ identity.