Male engagement contributes to reduction of child malnutrition

Phat’s granddaughter was suffering from moderate acute malnutrition. Becoming a member of a parenting group that provided training on child nutrition and vegetable seeds for planting, Phat prepares healthy, balanced meals and has ensured his granddaughter has overcome her health problem.

Phat and his granddaughter at home.
Phat is looking after his granddaughter at home. Photo credit: Plan International/Linda Kong

Phat, a 57-year-old resident of Banteay Srei District, Siem Reap Province, lives with his wife, 6 children, and a 5-year-old granddaughter who was previously suffering from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM).

Granddaughter’s past situation

Phat recounted that his elder daughter, during her pregnancy, suffered from severe morning sickness and did not eat much, leading to the birth of a low-weight baby. Despite breastfeeding her baby for 6 months and caring for her for 2 years, financial constraints forced Phat’s daughter to migrate to another province for work.
 
As a father of 6 children, including 2 with albinism and with limited income, Phat struggled to support his family entirely. His limited knowledge of nurturing care, hygiene, and nutrition contributed to his granddaughter’s MAM condition.

“My granddaughter is no longer a MAM child after 3 months; she is now healthy and active.”

Phat

“When my daughter left, my granddaughter refused to eat. Due to my lack of knowledge about nutrition and nurturing care, I didn’t know how to encourage her to eat properly,” Phat recalled. “My wife and I fed her only plain porridge with salt daily, and she continued to lose weight.”

“When my granddaughter was identified as a MAM child, I was upset,” Phat said in a low voice. “I was instructed to give her RUSF [ready to use supplementary foods] and to cook nutritious food for her, including green vegetables, meat, and fruits.”

Phat feeding his catfish.
Phat is feeding his catfish. Photo credit: Plan International/Linda Kong

Phat joined a parent’s group as a volunteer to help his granddaughter. He received training on nutrition, nurturing care, and hygiene. He never missed a parenting meeting; if he was busy, he asked his wife to attend and share the information with him later. He applied the knowledge he gained to care for his granddaughter.

Results for his granddaughter

Phat explained that he planted 8 types of green vegetables and raised catfish with technical coaching from the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery. He cooked meals using the vegetables and fish he grew and raised for his family and granddaughter. He sold the surplus produce for additional income.

“My granddaughter is no longer a MAM child after 3 months; she is now healthy and active. I am happy with the result,” Phat said joyfully. “I will continue to apply this knowledge to my family and share it with my neighbours so they can nurture their children to prevent them from being stunting and wasting and be healthy.”

Phat is working in his garden.
Phat is clearing grasses at his home garden. Photo credit: Plan International/Linda Kong

Support from Plan International Cambodia and partner

Plan International Cambodia, in partnership with Human Resource and Rural Economic Development Organization (HURREDO), implemented the “Promoting Healthy Start” project in Banteay Srei District, where Phat’s family lives. The project included health promotion on nutrition, mass screening, and the provision of ready to use supplementary food (RUSF) to treat identified MAM children.

Plan International Cambodia and HURREDO provided Phat with vegetable seeds and technical training on planting and raising catfish.

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