A Farm Boy Develops His Healthy Body and Mind

Paolo is a sturdy 3-year-old who demonstrates his strength to visitors by picking up a goat and walking around the family compound with it in his arms. He lives with his grandmother, Maria, on her farm in Kitete, Tanzania, along with his uncle Michael and cousin, also named Maria. The family raises maize, groundnuts, and livestock.

From looking at Paolo, one would never guess that there was a time when this bright-eyed and playful boy struggled to survive. As an infant, he was rendered listless by severe malnutrition and infections.

Babies need proper nutrition and stimulation for health brain development from pregnancy until their third birthday. According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child a baby’s brain forms connections at rapid rate during this window that will never be repeated later in life. Babies require nutrition, play, and responsive attention from caregivers—which UNICEF categorizes as eat, play, and love.

Paolo is actually the grandson of Maria’s brother. Maria took a special interest in Paolo when he was still infant, and she saw that he was being neglected. One day her niece visited the farm with baby Paolo, and when Maria saw his condition, she was alarmed.

“When she arrived, I saw the infant was in a very bad condition, says Maria. “His cheeks were swollen, and his mouth was full of sores. His legs arms, and stomach were swollen.”

Maria kept an eye on the situation, visiting the couple to check on Paolo’s health and counseling her niece to make sure that Paolo followed his drug regimen. She eventually sent her son to bring Paolo to the Kitate Regional Hospital, where he was diagnosed as malnourished. “I told them that this child should eat milk, millet, maize, rice, and ground nuts. I prepared fruits and vegetables.”

As time went on, Maria saw no improvement, so she asked if she could care for Paolo.

“I said, ‘Let him stay with me.’ I continued with providing good nutrition, and every month I would take him to the hospital for tests. The nutritionist at the hospital gave me tips about the foods for Paolo. I continued like that—until here we are today, and he has recovered.”

As Paolo recovered his strength and physical health, Maria was linked to the Malezi project, which provided her with early childhood development training so that Paolo’s mind could also grow. Just like his body requires nutrition, his brain requires stimulation.

“I was taught how to play with him—how to make toy cars and balls. We played with him wherever we had the chance. He was weak at first, and he would not talk or play. He was a lonely boy. But over time as we continued to talk and play with him, he got more excited and cheered up. I can see that a boy who plays and is active like Paolo will have a different life than the one who is idle.”

Paolo’s uncle Michael says that he also enjoys playing and talking with his nephew, helping him develop. He says that he looks forward to Paolo starting school and eventually going on to university.

“Look at me: I haven’t gone to school; my job is farming,” adds Uncle Michael. “If Paolo continues with studies, it will lead him to whatever job he wants to get. If he says he can’t go on with school, then he will be a farmer like me. But if he studies well, then he can choose any job; he can even be a teacher.”

“Or a minister,” says Maria. “Paolo is a gift that I have been given by God,” says Maria. “When I see my children and grandchildren laughing and talking, I feel good, and I join them.”