As we close out the year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the stories that warmed our hearts in 2023. When it feels like every headline holds more bad news, it’s important to remember that we also have 3 million reasons to be grateful. That’s how many people Medical Teams served in 2023! Here are just a few stories of celebration from this past year.

Read on to meet the people we’re celebrating, and to find out how you can help in 2024!

You eased Akim and Mwalibola’s way

Akim and his siblings had an idyllic childhood in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They played, laughed, and worked together with their loving parents. But then, their lives were turned upside down. Akim’s father was taken by rebels, and they never saw him again.

His mother, Mwalibola, describes the difficult choice she had to make.

“There was no way we could stay safe,” she says. “I only took my five children with me and fled to Tanzania. Praise be to Jesus for bringing us here safely.”

The journey was long, and friends worried for their safety on the road. Mwalibola feels certain that God was with them, keeping them protected until they made it to Tanzania. Her faith sustained her even when she and Akim fell ill soon after arriving. They shivered with high fevers, vomited, and became increasingly weak throughout the night.

Though she was sick herself, she still cared for her son.

She says, “We were terrified. But I had to be strong…I poured cold water on him to cool him down so he could sleep until we could see the health worker.”

Luckily, they’d seen a Medical Teams clinic in the refugee camp. In the morning, Mwalibola found the strength to get herself and Akim to the clinic. There, providers realized they had respiratory tract infections and malaria. Accordingly, they immediately provided doses of malaria treatment and antibiotics for their infections.

Mwalibola says,

“When we arrived at the clinic, the doctor welcomed, listened to, and diagnosed us with love.”

Now, Akim and Mwalibola are both healthy. After the terrifying experience of losing a husband and father, and a hard journey to safety, you made it possible for them to get the care they deserved – and that’s a story of celebration if we’ve ever heard one!

You cared for kids like Kingstone

When our health workers went to check on Kingstone recently, they were happy to hear that he wasn’t home. Why? Because it meant he was out playing with his friends. Just a few months ago, that was a distant dream. Kingstone has sickle cell anemia, which makes it difficult for him to eat regular food.

Kingstone’s mother, Niyokwizera, moved with her children to Tanzania in search of a peaceful life. Though she was married in Burundi, she left when her husband became violent after learning Kingstone was sick.

Kingstone’s stomach would burn and swell after eating normal food. Sickle cell anemia often creates significant digestion problems. It was heart-breaking for Niyokwizera to watch her son suffer.

She describes the feeling, saying,

“Consider the child who is unable to eat, is weak, and you, as a mother, have nothing to offer. It’s something you’d never wish to see or hear.”

Niyokwizera brought Kingstone to another organization who suggested she visit Medical Teams. Once he visited our clinic, he was enrolled in an emergency nutrition program. Happily, our clinic was stocked with the special food Kingstone needs to survive. Now, Kingstone has the energy to run and play like all little boys should.

Niyokwizera is grateful too. Medical Teams nutritionists visit regularly, and they’ve taught her new, nutritious recipes to feed her children.

She says, “Every day I ask God to help my children grow and Medical Teams to thrive. Our life has improved with Medical Teams’ presence. Our life is promising.”

Thank you for sharing God’s goodness with Niyokwizera and Kingstone!

You treated Angella for malaria

Stella is a woman of extraordinary strength. As she fled war in Burundi, she was cut on the back by a machete — but she still carried on. She made it to safety in Uganda with her infant daughter, Angella.

Angella was like all 6-month-old babies: sweet, smiling, and happy. So when she started coughing and vomiting, Stella was terrified. Angella had a high fever and refused to breastfeed. Stella was worried she might die.

Luckily, a neighbor had told her about a nearby Medical Teams clinic. Stella brought Angella in, and our providers jumped into action. A clinician tested baby Angella for malaria and treated the disease with anti-malaria medication. In three days, Angella was back to her sweet baby ways.

Stella was so relieved her daughter was healthy again.

She says,

“I thank Medical Teams for the good job they are doing. I feel proud of it. May they continue to offer services to sick people.”

Because of this care, Stella can dream of her daughter’s future. After a harrowing journey, she and Angella are able to rest now that her daughter has recovered.

Stella says, “I would like my child to become a nurse when she grows up to help sick people by treating them like Medical Teams does.”

Your generous hearts gave Stella and Angella the happy ending they deserve. Thank you for making there story one of celebration!

You helped Rose smile again

Rose’s broad smile and full laugh fill a room. She lights up when she tells stories. But when she talks about running from violence in Sudan or the child she miscarried shortly after, her face drops, and she speaks in a whisper.

“We used to sleep under trees. There was no food. It was hard to get clothes to wear.”

After arriving at a refugee settlement in Uganda, she began having chest pain and trouble breathing. It’s no small wonder Rose was feeling physical symptoms after her journey from Sudan. She remembers seeing people running as bullets flew through the air. She sorrowfully recalls her nephew’s death in the chaos. Life wasn’t easy before the war, but it was safe. When violence broke out, getting to Uganda was her only hope for survival.

When she reached the settlement, Rose was sheltered near a Medical Teams health center. She visited when she started having severe chest pain. She describes the feeling, holding her chest and face for emphasis.

“My chest pain started, and I couldn’t breathe well.”

The Medical Teams nurse recognized that Rose had symptoms of hypertension. After a round of tests, they started her on medication. The health workers also explained the importance of daily exercise and limiting her salt intake.

Rose says of the clinic,

“They treat me quickly. They don’t waste time. Even if they are busy, they first come and help you.”

Thank you for bringing God’s love to Rose. Because of this community, she’s smiling and laughing again. Though it was a long road to safety, we’re happy Rose has this story of celebration.

You gave Elisa a second chance

Elisa remembers that he left the Democratic Republic of Congo on a Monday. It stands out clearly in his mind because it was the last time he saw his home. The bullets stopped when he crossed into Uganda, but Elisa faced another danger: malaria.

He describes his symptoms, saying, “I developed a headache, I had a high temperature, and weakness in my joints and my back. I was worried because I thought I wouldn’t get medicine that would cure me.”

After visiting another organization’s clinic, he was able to get medication. But it didn’t help. When he went back, they told him to visit a Medical Teams clinic.

Elisa describes the compassionate care he received at our clinic.

He says, “They welcomed me, showed me where to sit. A lab person came and tested me. They found that I have malaria. The medicine that I got from Medical Teams is the one that worked for me.”

Because of donors like you, our providers had anti-malarial medicine at the ready. Because the providers’ care, Elisa’s fever broke and his headache is gone. The pain in his joints went away.

Elisa is grateful. He says,

“After recovering, I went back to thank the staff of Medical Teams because of the way they welcomed me.”

Elisa has a future after leaving home, thanks to people like you. That’s something we’re celebrating!

You cared for Onorina and her children

Onorina is a testament to the strength of mothers everywhere. After escaping an abusive marriage, she left the Democratic Republic of Congo for the safety of Tanzania. She brought all six of her cherished children with her.

Onorina and her children faced a long and terrifying journey to Tanzania. They walked for much of the way, then boarded a boat to cross Lake Tanganyika.

But powerful winds shut down the engine on the boat and it began to sink. While the captain radioed for help, Onorina began to pray.

Onorina says,

“I thank Jesus for rescuing and bringing us safely to Tanzania.”

Thankfully, Onorina and her children made it safely to a refugee settlement. Once there, Onorina came to Medical Teams for help with the malaria symptoms she’d been struggling with since they left home.

Our providers realized she had anemia, and that the cause was malaria and a case of hookworms. Then, they made a discovery no one expected. Onorina was pregnant…with twins! Two more of God’s beloved children were on the way. While it came as a surprise, Onorina was happy. She takes her role as her children’s only parent seriously.

She says, “I must care for these children as I am both their mother and father.”

Your generosity means that Onorina, and mothers like her, are cared for throughout their pregnancies. Onorina received treatment for her anemia and stayed healthy enough to care for her children. Now, she’s a mother to two more — she delivered healthy twin babies.

“I am grateful to God for Medical Teams,” Onorina shares. “You have given us the best care possible.”

Thank you for helping Onorina find God’s grace in a difficult time in her life!

You helped Marimar find purpose

“I had a fulfilled life,” Marimar says, with a wry smile. “Or so I thought.”

Like many people in Venezuela, Marimar and her husband struggled to make ends meet amid Venezuela’s worsening economy. They lost their jobs and their home. They sold their belongings to buy food.

Then, Marimar became pregnant. She and her husband knew they had to make a change. They decided to make the harrowing journey to Colombia. At one point, while walking, a man in a truck offered them a ride. When he found out that Marimar was Christian, he offered them a place to stay.

Marimar describes this couple – who helped them get established in Colombia – as a Godsend.

She says,

“He and his wife helped us so much that I took it as a blessing from God.”

Marimar had a healthy baby and began to settle into her new life. Then, a friend at church told her about the opportunity to volunteer with Medical Teams. Marimar jumped at the chance.

“Personally, I knew that I could give more…” Marimar explains. “I came to contribute something. I came to leave a mark, that’s what I thank God for the most.”

Today, Marimar helps people in her community get connected to health care. She offers them warm counsel and expert advice.

Your compassionate heart made it possible for Marimar to find purpose and belonging. That’s the kind of story of celebration we’re thankful for as we move into 2024!

Stories of celebration…in 2024!

Behind every story of celebration in 2023 is a generous donor like you. When Stella brought baby Angella to the clinic to be treated for malaria, the provider was there with medicine because someone gave of their time and money. When Kingstone needed emergency nutrition, you made sure he got it — and now, he’s playing like all little boys should.

None of these stories of celebration are possible without compassionate people like you. Will you make a gift today and make stories like these possible in 2024? Even better, we have a match!

Double My Gift

Don’t wait – if you make your gift by Dec. 31 at midnight, your gift will be doubled! Thanks to a match from a generous donor, you can send twice the loving, life-saving medical care to people like Onorina, Marimar, Elisa, and millions of others.

Your gift today makes a story of celebration possible tomorrow. There’s someone just like Mwalibola waiting for your help!

Make your gift today to make a difference in 2024.