Fletcher Mchere from Katnchere village Group Village Headman Katnchere T/A kalumo in Ntchisi district, reveals a fascinating tale. A father of 7 children, two girls and 5 boys. Fletcher am aware of the existence of care groups because my family is one of the household visited of by cluster leader but our family used to shun cluster nutrition education and counselling. Our family felt the messages were of no importance. He lamented. Things were not as usual at my household because my family has had shortage of food which led to malnourished of my two children but this did not give an alarm until when the cluster kept on pressing us to go to the health facility for survival our two twins. Fletcher said both my twins Kefat and Clifness were born with very good weight very but unfortunately before one year elapses their weight started deterioting due lack of food in our family. Since the condition was worsening the children were referred to Ntchisi hospital where it was discovered that my children were malnourished and right away they were put on food supplements of likuni phala and nutri butter. Otherwise the lives of my two twins Kefat and clifness were unpredictable.
As the head of the family I was so touched and I started taking my role. I always make sure that food supplements are indeed given to the malnourished children. Not only that I also make sure that I source food items such as fruits ,meat flour to make sure all the six groups are consumed by family. I really appreciate the coming of Namwiri care group through household visit which has acted as an eye opener to us and most of the people around GVH Katnchere .Fletcher said it is important to have community volunteers at a door step because they assist in dissemination of key nutrition messages that sometimes affect the households.
Seriously speaking I have seen lot of benefits because my family is always under the care of trained community volunteer. I have shared my story to almost five or six fellow men and will continue sharing so that they should not face the same situation I was in .This is a clear evidence that our family now understand whatever the cluster, Mercy Chiyembekezo brings to our home as far as nutrition education using different modules is concerned
To crown it all, Mercy says I was very concerned because it was like am not doing my work efficiently however after frequent visit to this family, they responded to my advice to go the hospital for further screening and treatment .I will tirelessly work with the family so that their children health is maintained .