Yuri and Her Family Progress Toward Food Security in Nicaragua
In Matagapla, Nicaragua, 19-year-old Yuri lives with her mother, two brothers and two-year-old son. Many in the region rely on coffee farming and recycling to support their families, but income gaps often hinder their ability to address their immediate needs.
The neighborhood is located near the city’s primary septic tank, and water is only delivered to the community three times each month. Local residents often face several health issues, affecting the quality of life for families and their children. As Yuri’s mother is the sole provider of the household, and Yuri cares for her siblings and child, consistent access to food is limited.
To improve her family’s living conditions and ensure access to nutrition, Yuri joined a program at her local church where in-country impact partner ORPHANetwork distributes Rise Against Hunger meals. Since participating in the program, Yuri’s family has been happy with the nutritional value of the meals, improving their overall health and well-being. Also, her two-year-old son Christopher has gained weight— no longer facing malnourishment — due to the essential vitamins and minerals included in the meals.
Daysi, a local church leader with ORPHANetwork and a friend of Yuri, explains how proud she is of Yuri for maintaining the health and nutrition of her family and consistently working to provide them with a better life. “Christopher, Yuri’s child, had malnutrition. Now he is healthy…he doesn’t get sick, he has more food in his home, [Yuri] prepares soy in different ways and it is very delicious,” she said.
With their nutrition being properly supported, Yuri shares that she and her family members have more energy. She is now looking forward to the future and wants to focus on completing her studies to secure a job that will allow her to provide for her son and help support her mother and brothers.
When you support Rise Against Hunger, you help ensure mothers like Yuri and their children worldwide gain access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive — paving the way toward brighter futures, because hope thrives alongside nutrition. Whether you’re part of a business, school, church or organization seeking to make an impact in the lives of people facing hunger in remote, last-mile communities, join the movement by hosting a Rise Against Hunger Experience.