Lakow, who lost mobility in his legs after a bomb explosion years ago, earns a modest living by collecting and selling firewood. With his donkey cart, he travels for days to deliver firewood to the city. Each trip earns him around ten dollars, barely enough to meet the basic needs of his two families. Still, he faces every day with courage and determination.

Four hours under the sun to reach help

When his four-year-old son, Malele, fell seriously ill, Lakow’s resilience was tested. For 30 days, the little boy fought fever, swelling, and loss of appetite. As his condition worsened, Lakow tried local remedies, but none were effective. Realising that his son’s life was in danger, he made the difficult decision to seek help in Baidoa City.

That morning, his donkey cart broke down, and he had no money for transport. Carrying his son on his back, Lakow walked for four hours under the scorching sun. His wife, heavily pregnant, could not join him.

“Every step felt endless,” he recalls, “but my only thought was to save my child.”

Upon reaching Baidoa, Lakow asked for directions and was guided to Baidoa District Hospital, supported by SOS Children’s Villages. There, Malele received immediate medical attention. “I didn’t even know where the hospital was. I was lost, scared, and desperate for help,” he admits.

Lakow arrives at Baidoa District Hospital, carrying his son on his back

 A critical care turned fear into hope

The emergency section of the hospital came alive with urgency as medical professionals worked swiftly upon Malele’s arrival. “When they wheeled him away, I felt like my whole world was crumbling,” Lakow recalls, fear seeping into his voice. For 17 long days, he remained by Malele’s side in the Stabilisation Centre (SC), where the dedicated nursing staff provided critical care for children with severe malnutrition and health complications.

“The nurses were very kind. They treated my son with such compassion. They gave us hope,” he says, tears welling in his eyes.

As days passed, Malele began to show signs of recovery. “I will never forget the moment he opened his eyes and smiled at me,” Lakow shares, a sense of relief washing over him. Malele was transferred to the Outpatient Programme, where he received Plumpy'Nut sachets, an enriched, ready-to-eat food vital for his recovery. In 2025, our Stabilisation Centre in Baidoa helped nearly 700 children regain their health and strength.

A homecoming filled with strength and joy

The day finally arrived when Lakow and Malele were ready to return home. “We walked through the village, and I couldn't believe my eyes. My son was back, stronger and full of energy,” he says. As they approached their home, Malele's mother rushed out, her arms wide open, tears streaming down her cheeks. “It was a moment of pure joy,” Lakow recalls.

In a voice filled with gratitude, Malele’s mother expressed, “Thank you for bringing our son back to us. I had lost hope, but now we have our boy again.”

After weeks of treatment, Malele walks alongside his father, returning home stronger and full of hope

Today, Lakow remains deeply grateful for the support he received. The assistance went beyond medical treatment—it restored his faith and his son’s future.

“Without the support from SOS Children’s Villages and the donor, my son wouldn’t be here. I saw many other children who were in a similar condition, but they walked out on their feet again.”

This experience reaffirmed his belief that no parent should face the fear of losing a child simply because help is out of reach. “I want my children to go to school, to grow up strong,” he says. “I want them to have what I never had—a chance to dream.”

With an estimated 1.85 million children under the age of five projected to face malnutrition in 2025, SOS Children’s Villages in Somalia continues to deliver life-saving health and nutrition services to children experiencing severe malnutrition and other critical health challenges. As families recover from years of consecutive crises, this support helps ensure that children receive timely treatment, protection, and the opportunity to grow strong in dignity and safety.