Stories

Start strong, stay strong programme

18 February 2026

Kiribati is one of the poorest and most remote countries in the Pacific. Child malnutrition is a serious concern, and the islands have some of the highest rates of stunting, anaemia and under-five mortality. This malnutrition is causing irreversible damage to physical growth, brain development and future wellbeing.

To help tackle this alarming problem, ChildFund in partnership with University of Otago nutrition professors have introduced the “Start strong, stay strong” programme, designed to improve infant and child feeding practices through education and support.

In the first 1,000 days local mums receive home visits, are given recipe books and attend cooking demonstrations and mothers’ support groups. They also receive micronutrient powder which is rich in essential vitamins and minerals to improve child immunity, strength, appetite and development. And it’s working. Mums say they can see real improvements in their children’s appetites, health and development.

Lisa Houghton (Otago University – Start Strong Stay Strong Programme) said that “All the nutrition in the world won’t help a child with chronic diarrhea from drinking contaminated water or food prepared with contaminated water”, highlighting the combined impact of our water and nutrition projects.

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Clean Water for Rosie's Family

Rosie, age 37, is a mother of five living with her family in a crowded area of Betio, Kiribati. She shares her parents’ home with her siblings and their families, while caring for her children as her husband works.

Each morning, Rosie wakes early to boil water for her children before preparing breakfast, bathing them, and cleaning the house. But the family’s PUB water is often contaminated by leaks in the pipes, and boiling water with an electric kettle or gas stove is expensive. Sometimes, when there is no time, her children have to drink unboiled water, leaving them with stomach aches and diarrhea.

“I only boil my 1-year-old's water because I cannot afford to boil water in a big amount,” Rosie says. “My top priority is my youngest son.”

Earlier this year, Rosie attended a ChildFund Solvatten training after a visit to the clinic with her 6-month-old son. There, she received a Solvatten unit - a solar-powered device that purifies water using the sun.

“I was so thrilled to attend the training as I wasn’t expecting to receive this Solvatten unit... a unit that is going to help my children access to clean and safe water for drinking.” she says.

Rosie can now boil her water 4 times a day, which makes enough clean water for her children each day.

“I have been helped a lot ever since I use this unit as it saves my time, money, and health and mostly my children,” she says.

Thanks to your support, Rosie’s children now have access to clean, safe drinking water - helping them stay healthy, attend school, and work towards a brighter future.

Stopping fights before they start. Papua New Guinea.