In the desert climate of Mauritania, life is harsh. In the north, vegetation is nearly nonexistent, jobs are scarce, and many families still live in tents. Without stable income or government support, communities face extreme poverty, lack of education, and widespread childhood malnutrition.
For more than 40 years in the capital and 27 years in Atar, the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul have been present as a sign of hope. Their mission focuses especially on children, meeting urgent needs through education and healthcare.
Daily Care for Children in Need
In the poorest neighborhoods of Atar and Château d’Eau, the sisters run two daycare centers that welcome 150 children aged 2–6 each day. Here, little ones not only receive early education but also nourishment: a daily porridge, a snack, and once a week, a hot meal—often the most substantial food the children eat.
At the same time, the malnutrition center provides intensive care for 20–30 malnourished children each day. Both the children and their mothers are given healthy food, and through daily monitoring, most children improve after just two or three weeks, making space for others in urgent need.
Even during the scorching summer months, when temperatures climb to 42–45°C (107–113°F), the center stays open. This is a time of heightened risk: dehydration and exhaustion often require even closer monitoring, hospitalization, or full-time family support. To combat shortages—such as when UNICEF supplies arrive only in part, with the rest diverted to the black market—the sisters stretch resources by increasing both the quantity and diversity of food they provide, ensuring children get milk, protein, vegetables, and fruit.
Education for Mothers
The sisters also work with mothers, teaching them principles of balanced nutrition so that healthy practices can continue at home. In this way, the care provided in the center multiplies across households, extending benefits to entire families and neighborhoods.
A Life Saved: Mohamad’s Story
One of the children helped is Mohamad Ould Jido, born June 20, 2023. At just nine months old, Mohamad arrived at the center on March 13, 2024, weighing only 4 kg. He was suffering from severe malnutrition, diarrhea, repeated vomiting, and dehydration.
Through intensive care, Mohamad’s condition improved dramatically:
- April 2024: 5.9 kg
- May 2024: 6.7 kg
Today, Mohamad is out of danger and continues to gain weight. He and his family still come regularly for follow-up, grateful for the chance at a healthy future.
The Impact of Your Support
In a land where hunger and poverty are daily realities, the Daughters of Charity bring nourishment, dignity, and hope. With continued support, more children can overcome the risk of malnutrition and grow strong, healthy, and full of life.
Thanks to the generosity of St. Anthony’s followers and devotees, a $15,000 grant in 2024 allowed the sisters to strengthen their fight against malnutrition. This support has already helped save lives like Mohamad’s, ensured daily meals for hundreds of children, and empowered mothers with knowledge to sustain their families’ health.