One mother’s movement: Turning a struggle into nutrition for all

It all began in a modest kitchen in Bukavu, a vibrant city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). There, Babunga Véronique Bienfaite started quietly experimenting with flour blends driven by a mother’s love. Her young son’s health was struggling, and after months of worry and seeking help, she discovered the heartbreaking truth: he was allergic to some ingredients in traditional porridge, a dietary staple she had grown up with and trusted.  

That moment did not just shatter her assumptions – it ignited a fierce resolve to reimagine the porridge flour she had always known. Véronique returned to her kitchen with renewed purpose, experimenting tirelessly with alternative grains and local ingredients. What began as a personal quest soon grew into a mission to create a nourishing, allergen-safe porridge, not just for her son, but for countless others facing similar struggles in her community. 

“I was just a mother in a kitchen, trying everything to help my child survive,” she recalls. “I failed many times. But each failure only pushed me to keep going”.