In the heart of Sudan, where hope often feels fragile, a young mother named Fatima faced a nightmare no parent should endure. Fatima’s love for her son, Ramadan, became her guiding force as she sought refuge, medical care, and a fresh start. This is her story—a journey of resilience, love, and the life-saving support of our teams in Sudan.

Leaving Khartoum: Escaping War and Seeking Safety

For twenty-year-old Fatima, life in Khartoum had been peaceful. She lived with her mother and her two young children, including her thirteen-month-old son, Ramadan. But in April 2024, violence erupted in her hometown, disrupting their lives forever.

When the conflict became too close, Fatima knew they had to leave. She traveled with her son to Gadaref, while her mother stayed in Kosti with Fatima’s young daughter. The journey was long and arduous — with countless checkpoints and uncertainty around every corner.

Fatima recalls, “It was a tough journey, and I missed my family terribly. I just wanted to keep my children safe.”

A Child’s Health Crisis and a Mother’s Fear

Once they reached the gathering site, Fatima hoped for peace, but instead, she was faced with a new nightmare. Her son, Ramadan, grew very ill, experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhea. As his weight dropped and his body weakened, Fatima was consumed with fear.

“He was looking so ill, and I kept thinking, ‘I am going to lose him,’” she remembers.

With Ramadan’s condition worsening, Fatima quickly sought help at the Medical Teams clinic, a lifeline for so many families in crisis.

After a thorough assessment, the team referred Ramadan to the hospital. He received urgent care, including intravenous fluids and antibiotics to treat his dehydration and infection.

Life-Saving Support and Compassion

The hospital visit was just the beginning of Ramadan’s journey to recovery. After being discharged, Fatima received critical follow-up support from Medical Teams’ nutrition team. Ramadan was provided with Plumpy’Nut, a therapeutic food, as well as other supplements to help him regain his strength. The team checked his weight and nutrition levels regularly, closely monitoring his recovery.

 

Medical Teams staff didn’t just address Ramadan’s physical needs — they supported Fatima as well, offering guidance on food hygiene, feeding practices, and ways to help her son’s recovery at home.

“The staff were always welcoming, answering my questions, and teaching me how to care for Ramadan,” she says. “Without their help, I could have lost my child.”

The care Ramadan received didn’t end when he left the hospital. Every check-up and conversation with the nutrition team brought new hope to Fatima. As Ramadan’s health improved, so did Fatima’s spirits. She began to feel a glimmer of normalcy returning, resuming daily tasks she had set aside while caring for her son.

A Mother’s Gratitude and a Son’s Smile

One of Fatima’s greatest joys is seeing her son smile again.  

“The happiest moment in my life was watching my child recover and seeing his smile return,” she shares with gratitude. Ramadan’s journey has taught her the power of a mother’s determination and the profound impact of community support.

In the quiet hours at the clinic, Fatima often reflected on her own family back in Kosti. Missing her mother and daughter, she found comfort in the kindness of Medical Teams staff, who had become like a second family. “They were there for me when I was alone and scared,” she says. 

“The Medical Teams staff were not just healthcare workers — they were a source of strength for me.”

Will You Help Families Like Fatima’s?

Thousands of mothers like Fatima are struggling to protect their children in crisis zones around the world. With your help, Medical Teams can continue providing life-saving care, therapeutic food, and compassionate support to children suffering from malnutrition and illness. 

Your donation today could be the difference between life and death for a child like Ramadan. It just takes 50 cents to help identify and treat malnutrition in one child. Will you give the gift of hope and health today?

Join us in bringing healing to vulnerable families across Sudan >>