How this four-year-old overcame malnutrition and reclaimed her childhood
A remarkable health transformation in just four months.
Written by Katrina de Schiffert
on January 23, 2025
Surviving malnutrition in a conflict zone
Hortense is one of many children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who’ve had life threatening encounters from malnutrition.
Abandoned by her mother at the age of two, Hortense was left in the care of her grandmother, Nizeyimana, while she was still breastfeeding. Unfortunately, this would not be the only upheaval in Hortense’s early years.
Hortense has a smile that lights up a room.
When violence and unrest in their home community reached dangerous levels because of the M23 conflict in the Masisi territory, Nizeyimana made the difficult decision to take Hortense and flee to Binza.
According to OCHA, over 7.1 million people have been displaced in DRC since the start of the conflict.
In Binza, Nizeyimana had to beg for food.
On April 11, 2024, in Binza, DRC, four-year-old Hortense is held by Benedicte, a World Vision nutritionist, while undergoing malnutrition treatment at Nyamilima General Hospital.
How nutritional care is saving lives
A World Vision nutritionist found Hortense during a home visit for the Childhood Rescue program, which is supported by Raw Hope. Upon seeing how much her health had deteriorated and how urgently she required care, Hortense was immediately brought to the general referral hospital in Nyamilima.
Her swollen feet was one sign of acute malnutrition Hortense was experiencing prior to receiving care.
At the hospital, she received appropriate emergency care in the intensive nutritional treatment unit. Once stable, she was transferred to the outpatient nutrition treatment unit at a World Vision-supported health centre in Buramba where she continued her recovery. With ongoing support, Hortense's health and strength improved drastically.
When World Vision staff member Rodrigue Harakandi checked in on Hortense four months later, he found a glowing, healthy girl. Hortense’s transformation is remarkable. Witness her change and see the incredible health progress.
Hortense with her grandmother, Nyamilima
Since its launch in 2020, the Childhood Rescue program has treated and cured 4,700 children of malnutrition.
Malnutrition is a crushing and life-threatening challenge for girls and boys, and we are determined to help as many as possible. Through nutrition centres in DRC, we’re witnessing renewed life—Hortense’s recovery is one example of what can be achieved through compassionate action and intentional intervention.
On July 9, 2024, World Vision communications officer Rodrigue Harakandi visits Hortense at her house
With access to emergency and outpatient nutritional care, Hortense’s health has been restored, and Nyamilima’s determination to pursue a better future for herself and her granddaughter has been met with tangible support.
Thank you to our donors, who ensure children like Hortense can reclaim their childhoods and build a future.