The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway

Tamara Egbedi, a successful oil and gas lawyer, never imagined that a heart-wrenching encounter in a primary health center would set her on a path to revolutionize nutrition in Nigeria. This blog unravels how a single, transformative event led Tamara from a high-profile legal career to the forefront of a mission dedicated to eradicating hunger and improving health

A Life-Altering Encounter

One day, while at a bank in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, Tamara was approached by a pregnant woman desperately pleading for money to cover her antenatal care. Her initial instinct was to hand over the cash and move on, but something made her pause. Fueled by her legal instincts and a need to ensure the woman would use the money for antenatal care, Tamara offered to take the woman to her hospital. What she witnessed there would change her life forever.

At the hospital, the shocking diagnosis revealed that the woman was severely malnourished, and her baby’s life was hanging in the balance. “The doctor’s words were like a punch to the gut,” Tamara recalls. The baby, just a month from birth, weighed less than a kilogram, and the mother was critically anemic. This encounter shattered Tamara’s preconceptions about malnutrition, which she had previously associated only with extreme thinness and visible fragility. She realized that malnutrition was not merely about being underweight but about a profound imbalance in essential nutrients.

A Wake-Up Call: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Tamara’s disillusionment deepened when she visited a primary health center in Makoko, one of the more impoverished areas of Lagos. There, the reality of malnutrition was even more jarring. The nurses spoke of malnourished babies who resembled tiny, fragile creatures, with a high mortality rate. “The scene was devastating,” Tamara recalls. “It was not just about underweight children, it was a crisis that needed a new approach.”

Tamara’s insights grew when she noticed that local mothers, despite their best efforts, were often forced to sell relief supplies due to financial constraints. This meant that while immediate aid was given, it was often short-lived and unsustainable. Tamara realized that solving this problem required more than temporary relief. It needed a sustainable, holistic approach.

She realized that real change required more than just donating money or food. It needed a sustainable solution that addressed the underlying issues of malnutrition. She returned home in London with a renewed sense of purpose and discussed her findings with her husband, who then introduced her to a French nutritionist working with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This connection would become pivotal in shaping her new mission

The Turning Point: A Vision for Change

The French nutritionist opened Tamara’s eyes to the untapped potential of Nigeria’s rich grains. She learned about the nutritional benefits of fonio and finger millet, which are often overlooked in favor of more familiar, high-carbohydrate foods. “Our country is rich in natural, nutritious foods,” Tamara explains. “But these are often ignored due to a lack of awareness and preference for imported options.”

The insight that proper maternal nutrition was crucial for preventing infant malnutrition was a game-changer. With this new understanding, Tamara and her team set out to develop a product that could combat malnutrition from pregnancy through adulthood. They spent a year perfecting their formula in Paris and two years setting up the business in Nigeria with all key stakeholders involved, determined to create a solution that was not only effective but also backed by science, affordable and delicious.

Tom Brown PLUS: A Breakthrough Product

Upon returning to Nigeria, Tamara introduced her flagship product, Tom Brown PLUS (made from 5 local grains and legumes), to the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board Yaba for clinical testing. Tom Brown PLUS was more than just a food product, it was a lifeline for many as the results were nothing short of miraculous.

The product effectively reversed severe malnutrition, earning praise from medical professionals who marveled at its efficacy. “The doctors were astonished,” Tamara says. “They asked, ‘What did you put in this product?’”

Tom Brown PLUS addressed multiple health concerns, from malnutrition to high cholesterol and diabetes. It was designed to be affordable, leveraging local resources and partnerships to keep costs down. Tamara’s team worked closely with local farmers, ensuring that the production process supported the local economy while maintaining a high standard of quality.

Pachamama Foods: A Mission with Purpose

Pachamama Foods is not just a startup; it represents a movement towards sustainable, impactful change. The name “Pachamama,” suggested by co-founder Eric Pietra, reflects the company’s commitment to producing natural, organic food. “Pachamama” means “Mother Earth” in Quechua, symbolizing the nurturing aspect of nature that aligns with their mission.

Tamara says. “Eric suggested this name because it embodies the nurturing aspect of nature, which perfectly aligns with our commitment to producing food that is natural, healthy, and free from preservatives and additives to nourish our people.”

She adds that “Pachamama” has become a guiding principle for their work, ensuring that their products remain health-conscious and deeply connected to the land.

Tamara’s dedication to the cause is reflected in the company’s alignment with a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Through strategic partnerships with local farmers, community engagement programs, and efforts to provide nutritious food to vulnerable populations, Pachamama Foods is making a tangible difference.

Challenges and Resilience

Despite the successes, Tamara faced significant challenges. Insecurity in northern Nigeria disrupted operations and supply chains. High production costs due to fuel price increases and economic pressures on consumers added to the difficulties. High staff turnover in Lagos also posed a challenge, but Tamara remained steadfast. “We had to adapt quickly, find alternative suppliers, and streamline our operations to navigate these obstacles,” she says.

Pachamama Foods: A Mission with Purpose

PachaMama Foods is not just a startup. It represents a movement towards sustainable, impactful change. The name “Pachamama,” suggested by co-founder Eric Pietrac, reflects the company’s commitment to producing natural, organic food. “Pachamama” means “Mother Earth” in Quechua, symbolizing the nurturing aspect of nature that aligns with their mission.

“Given Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, Eric advised against using a traditional Nigerian name that might be associated with a specific ethnic group. Instead, he proposed “Pachamama,” a South American Quechua term for Mother Earth”, Tamara says. “Eric suggested this name because it embodies the nurturing aspect of nature, which perfectly aligns with our commitment to producing food that is natural, healthy, and free from preservatives and additives to nourish our people.”

She adds that “Pachamama” has become a guiding principle for their work, ensuring that their products remain health-conscious and deeply connected to the land.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, PachaMama Foods aims to expand its reach both nationally and across neighboring African countries with its healthy food products line which today include Fonio (Acha) Flour, Fonio (Acha) Grain, Instant Baby Cereal, Finger Millet (Tamba/Ragi) Flour, Mixed Nuts and PachaMama Rice.  “Our range of products is great for those who are health conscious, and we believe that healthy food is the start of a healthy life. The company is committed to increasing distribution, collaborating with international organizations, and deepening community engagement. We’re not just feeding Nigeria, we’re nourishing a nation,” Tamara concludes.

We invite you to join the movement to combat malnutrition and promote a healthy lifestyle. Support PachaMama Foods and see how you can make a difference here.