From fading to flourishing: Donsi's journey back to joy

In Ituri, the lush green hills hide a harsh reality: conflict, poverty, and hunger... communities struggle to survive. In the distance, Saba walks slowly. In her arms, she carries Donsi, her four-year-old son, weakened by malnutrition. His belly is swollen, his arms are too thin, and his eyes are tired.

Saba tells us: “Donsi has always been such a joyful child, but for several days now, he’s hardly eaten. He has no strength left. Seeing him like this breaks my heart.”

Thanks to a neighbour, Saba learned that the Buba Health Centre, supported by Medair in Ituri province, offers free medical care. “So, I walked more than two hours to get there, hoping to find help.”

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The medical response

Upon arrival, Nzila, a nurse, welcomes the mother and child, and carries out the first anthropometric measurements. She checks Donsi’s upper arm circumference, weight, and height. The diagnosis is severe: acute malnutrition with medical complications – a serious case that cannot be treated at the OTP (Outpatient Therapeutic Programme); it requires specialised medical supervision at the SC (Stabilisation Centre).

“We’ll carry out a hunger test, then the child will be transferred to the Libi reference health centre for closer monitoring.”

Medair is seeing many cases of acute malnutrition. Living conditions have sharply declined as poverty deepens, and children are the first to suffer. Today, some villages are almost empty, as families flee from one place to another to escape fighting.  

While the medical team cares for her child, Saba explains how Donsi’s condition deteriorated: “I’m so worried about my son. He’s always been a joyful child, with a smile that lit up our home. But over the past few days, he’s become so weak. He barely eats anymore, and has lost so much weight. He keeps telling me he’s in pain. He no longer plays with his friends like he used to. When they come to see him, he refuses. Seeing him like this breaks my heart.”

She continues: “We live in a region where conflict is frequent. Every day is a struggle to survive. We’ve had to flee our village many times, leaving behind everything we own. Each time we think we’ve found a safe place, the fighting breaks out again and we have to leave. It’s becoming harder to find food. I’m afraid to go to the fields in case I meet people who could hurt me. The living conditions are terrible. I do my best to feed my children, but often there’s just not enough to eat. Watching my children suffer from hunger is the worst pain a mother can feel.”

After carrying out a hunger test with Plumpy’Nut, a ready-to-use therapeutic food rich in calories, minerals and vitamins designed for children suffering from severe malnutrition, it becomes clear that Donsi can’t eat.

The Medair team immediately arranges his transfer to the Libi Referral Centre. All costs are covered by Medair. There, under the supervision of a doctor, he will receive intensive treatment for his critical condition, characterised by severe acute malnutrition, compounded by medical complications. The centre is located just a few kilometres away.

Even in his weakened state, the little boy finds the strength to offer a smile to the health workers. In his eyes, a spark of hope remains.

"As I watch Donsi and his mother walk away, I whisper a prayer for them. I never know if I’ll see the people we help again, but something tells me that Donsi will grow into a fine young man. What comforts me is seeing the tangible impact of our work: Donsi is not just a number in a report, but a life full of promise, a future unfolding. Of course, other challenges lie ahead, but today, let’s celebrate this small miracle – he’s going to receive the care he needs," shares Daniel, Medair’s Communications Officer.

We met Donsi again in Libi. Already, his face has changed. He’s being closely monitored by the nurses, under the supervision of Jean-Jacques, Medair’s nutrition specialist.

Donsi’s mother, Saba, shares: “Since our arrival, we’ve been welcomed with such kindness. Thanks to the care he’s received, my son has regained his appetite and is feeling better. Medair has not only saved his life –you have given him hope for the future, and all free of charge. These acts of kindness will remain in my heart forever. Seeing my son feel safe and comfortable with your colleague, who often helps him take his milk and encourages him during his treatment, is an indescribable joy. These moments will stay etched in my memory.”

She adds: "I received valuable advice on how to improve his health, especially his nutrition, and I will do my best to follow it."

Donsi will soon be able to return home, stronger thanks to your donations and the care he received. For his mother, it feels like a rebirth: “Medair is like an angel sent by God! Your support for my son is an act of immense generosity that will remain in my heart forever. I’m filled with joy and gratitude seeing my son regain his strength. May God bless you”

Together, we can change lives

Donsi’s story is the story of thousands of children in the DRC. In 2025, over 4.45 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 1.39 million severe cases.

Thanks to your support, Medair treated 25,279 children for severe acute malnutrition in the DRC in 2024. Yet so many others are still waiting for a chance to recover – and rediscover joy.  

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Your donation can give children like Donsi a future.

With your help, we can turn suffering into hope, hunger into strength, and fear into joy.

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