A Mother’s Hope:
Overcoming Malnutrition with UNICEF’s Support in Liberia
Turkey and her daughter Giftee © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
At just 19, Tukey Williams faces a journey no mother wishes to endure — watching her child struggle with malnutrition. Her 7-month-old daughter, Giftee, was diagnosed with moderate malnutrition, a condition that affects countless children across Liberia, where access to nutritious food can be scarce and economic challenges make daily survival a struggle. But for Tukey and Giftee, hope arrived at the Gardnersville Clinic, where UNICEF is working tirelessly to address the urgent issue of child malnutrition.
“I didn’t know what was happening,” Tukey recalls. “She was not eating well, and she kept getting sick. I was afraid.”
Nurses measure the arms of Tukey's daughter, as part of a malnutrition screening. in Gardnersville, Greater District of Monrovia, Liberia © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
Holding Giftee in her arms, Tukey shares her story with a quiet resilience. She remembers the fear she felt when Giftee began to lose weight, her small body growing weaker. “I didn’t know what was happening,” Tukey recalls. “She was not eating well, and she kept getting sick. I was afraid.” Like many young mothers, Tukey had limited knowledge about nutrition and the specific needs of an infant. But with the help of Gardnersville Clinic, that changes.
The nurse shows her how to use PlumpyNut to prevent malnutrition. in Gardnersville Clinic, Liberia © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
“They show me how to feed Giftee the right way and make sure she gets stronger every day.”
At the clinic, health workers immediately began treating Giftee, providing therapeutic foods and monitoring her growth closely. Tukey was introduced to a supportive community of healthcare providers who not only offered medical care but also education on nutrition and feeding practices. “The nurses here are always helping,” Tukey says, a note of gratitude in her voice. “They show me how to feed Giftee the right way and make sure she gets stronger every day.”
Nurses keep track on every child's improvement in Gardnersville Clinic © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
UNICEF’s support has been instrumental in making this possible. Through funding and resources, UNICEF Liberia has helped ensure that clinics like Gardnersville have the therapeutic foods, vitamins, and training needed to treat malnutrition effectively. For Giftee, this means she’s on the path to a healthy childhood. For Tukey, it means empowerment — the confidence and knowledge to keep her daughter healthy, even once they leave the clinic.
Every week, Tukey meets with clinic staff to review Giftee’s progress. She is looking forward to seeing her daughter’s weight slowly increase, her energy returning. “I am learning how to take care of her better,” Tukey says.
Tukey’s journey reflects a broader challenge faced by countless mothers across Liberia, and it highlights the critical role of UNICEF in supporting not only medical care but also community education. Tukey now dreams of a future where Giftee will grow strong and healthy. She sees the progress her daughter has made as a testament to the care and resources provided by Gardnersville Clinic, supported by UNICEF.
Tukey knows they are not alone in this journey. Through the support of UNICEF, Liberia’s fight against malnutrition continues, one child at a time.
