Together with the Heres Foundation, we promote maternal and child health in Guinea-Bissau

Rehabilitation of the Bafatá Nutritional Center to transform lives.

With crucial support from the Heres Foundation, the project “Adaptation and Equipping of the Bafatá Nutritional Recovery Center” in Guinea-Bissau has been successfully completed . This vital initiative has focused on improving healthcare and nutrition for the region’s most vulnerable groups: malnourished children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers in vulnerable situations, marking a turning point for the community.

We worked closely with the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sisters and the Diocese of Bafatá to rehabilitate and equip this Nutritional Recovery Center (NRC) , a vital resource in the fight against child and maternal malnutrition in Brazil. Thanks to the financial support of the Heres Foundation, we carried out significant renovations and infrastructure improvements. These included the rehabilitation of restrooms, the kitchen, the pharmacy, the roof, and the children’s rest area, as well as paving the exterior access and constructing a perimeter sidewalk to prevent flooding. These improvements now provide a more hygienic, safe, and functional environment for patients and healthcare staff.

In addition, we equipped the center with basic necessities such as beds, cribs, mosquito nets, bedding, and furniture, ensuring more dignified conditions for the recovery of hospitalized children . We also created a suitable space for training and support for mothers. In terms of healthcare, the project has directly benefited 1,470 malnourished children and 129 pregnant women , to whom we offer medical and nutritional follow-up. Simultaneously, we conducted training sessions with 177 mothers on nutrition, hygiene, and essential care, strengthening families’ capacity to prevent future cases of malnutrition.

“This project leaves a lasting mark on the health and dignity of the community , ” says Father Maio , head of Caritas Bafatá, highlighting the human impact of this work. Coordination with local health facilities, community workers, and local leaders has been key to ensuring the project’s effectiveness and its integration within a “One Health” strategy.

We look to the future with hope, knowing that the Bafatá Nutritional Recovery Center is establishing itself as a regional leader in maternal and child health care. We will continue working to ensure that every child and every mother in Guinea-Bissau has access to a full and healthy life, building a brighter tomorrow for all.

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