As 2024 comes to an end, we invite you to experience the past year through the lens of our top 10 photos! Each image is a window into the heart of Medical Teams’ mission.

Experience the resilience, joy, and humanity of the people we serve and work alongside. From a border crossing clinic in Uganda to a family finding refuge in Sudan to a mobile clinic in the U.S., these moments moved us deeply.

Some photos are simply stunning. Others tell stories of hope, the determination of parents to see their children healed, and the impact of medical care in these hard-to-reach places. Each one reminds us of what we can accomplish together.

Celebrate with us by voting for your favorite photo of the year! Scroll through to see the images and read the powerful stories behind them—then cast your vote at the end of the post.

Hope through Mental Health Care in Ethiopia

Adem Mersha smiling outside in Ethiopia
Portrait of Adem Mersha smiling outside a Medical Teams clinic in Ethiopia. Photographed by Meletetsega Getachew, Medical Teams.

 

Adem Mersha’s life has been full of challenges. Displaced by conflict in Ethiopia, Adem was forced to leave his home with his wife and four children, including a two-month-old baby. Their journey was grueling – fleeing on foot during the rainy season without food, water, or shelter.

After finding refuge in a settlement, Adem’s journey wasn’t over. He struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. He was unable to care for his loved ones or himself. For more than a year, his symptoms grew worse, leaving him feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

Everything changed when Adem met staff from Medical Teams International. With counseling support and antidepressant medication, Adem found relief from his symptoms. He’s now able to work on his farm, support his family, and participate in his community.

With his mental health restored, Adem plans to start a small business in town. He’s determined to help his children achieve their dreams—including his eldest son’s goal of becoming a doctor. Adem’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, your compassion and care can pave the way to healing and a brighter future.

Relief at a Border Crossing Clinic in Uganda

a child receives medical care in a clinic in Uganda
A child receives medical care from one of our medical officers at a border crossing camp in Uganda. Photographed by Bridget Mutumba.

 

At the border of Uganda and South Sudan, hundreds of Sudanese people crossed the border each day in June 2024. They were seeking refuge from conflict in Sudan, enduring a long journey to safety by bus and on foot.

When they arrive at the border, some of the first people they meet are Medical Teams staff. As people step into the border clinic, they take a seat in a waiting area and are briefed by our staff about the screening process. Like a U.S. clinic, when their name is called, our staff check their temperature, screen their blood pressure, evaluate their nutrition, and vaccinate children to protect them against diseases.

As of June 2024, Uganda is home to 1.7 million refugees, most from neighboring countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Sudan.

an oral polio vaccine is administers by Medical Teams staff to a child in Uganda
Our staff administers a polio vaccine to a young Sudanese child who just came over the border into Uganda with his family. Photographed by Bridget Mutumba, Medical Teams.

Life-Saving Care in Sudan

A nutrition assistant in Sudan measures a child's arm with MUAC tape
A nutrition assistant in Sudan performs an assessment on baby Ramadan using MUAC tape. Photo by Dr. Maram Abdallah.

 

When Ramadan’s mother Fatima fled the conflict in Khartoum, she was determined for her and her two children to survive. After an intense journey, she finally arrived at a refugee site in Gedaref. When they arrived, her 13-month-old son Ramadan was extremely sick with severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Terrified of losing her son, Fatima turned to Medical Teams International for help.

Medical Teams’ staff assessed Ramadan and referred him to a nearby hospital, where he received lifesaving treatment. After he was discharged, Medical Teams continued to care for Ramadan with nutritional care, regular health checks, and guidance for Fatima on how to prepare his food. Slowly, Ramadan began to recover, bringing Fatima a renewed sense of hope.

Now, Ramadan is healthy and smiling again—a source of pure joy for his mother. Fatima is grateful to Medical Teams staff, who not only saved her child’s life but also provided her with emotional support when she felt alone. Reflecting on her journey, Fatima says,

“The Medical Teams staff became my second family. Without them, I could have lost my child.”

As she looks to the future, Fatima dreams of a safe and happy life for her children.

A Brighter Future in Colombia

Naylin embraces her daughter Ashley in their home in Santa Marta, Colombia
Naylin embraces her youngest daughter Ashley, now six years old. Photo by Sara Serna.

 

Since we last met Naylin, her life has transformed in remarkable ways. Living in Colombia still has its challenges, but she’s determined to create a better future for her family.

With new residency permits, Naylin’s family now has access to health care, education, and other essential services in Colombia. Her daughters Ashley and Aranza are thriving. Before Ashley (pictured here) received her residency permit, your support ensured she had the exams and treatments she needed to overcome her constant sickness.

Naylin now runs a shop from her home, selling clothes, beauty products, and more. Her business is giving her hope and independence while allowing her to provide for her daughters. Naylin is feeling stronger than before. She is proud of their progress and dreams of one day creating a brand of her own. Her journey is a powerful reminder of how – with the right support system – lives like Naylin’s can transform and inspire hope for a brighter future.

A little boy in Colombia smiles sitting outside
Portrait of a young boy in Los Angeles, Colombia, whose family benefitted from Medical Teams’ health sites supporting migrants crossing into the Darien Gap. Photo by Sara Serna.

 

A Picture of Health in Ukraine 

A child receives care from a health worker in Ukraine
A child sits on their parent’s lap while receiving medical care at one of our mobile medical clinics in Ukraine. Photo by Serhii Andrushchak.

 

It’s been almost three years since the first attacks on Ukraine. Though the news may not show up as often in our feeds, people in Ukraine still need medical support like doctor’s visits, supplies, and medicines. Medical Teams continues to provide health care through mobile medical clinics, at-home visits, and mental health support.

One of our recent patients Mykhailo, who lost his home at the start of the conflict, shared with us,

“When doctors, nurses, social workers, and psychologists started coming to my home, my heart was warmed by an unexpected sense of hope. It felt like a dream—I couldn’t believe it was really happening. The number of helpers and kind souls who reached out to me directly seemed endless. Perhaps my prayers were heard by a higher power, and help was sent just in time to support me through this difficult period.”

Holistic Health Care in the U.S.

Fatima gets her blood pressure checked by a nurse in Portland Oregon
Fatima smiles while getting her blood pressure checked by one of our volunteer nurses at a Care and Connect clinic in Portland, Oregon, USA. Photo by Lauren Odderstol.

 

Fatima first arrived in the U.S. in 2023. After fleeing her home country, she now lives at the IRCO welcome center with her sister as they navigate life in a new country. Fatima speaks only a few words of English but has found kindness and hope through the care provided by Medical Teams International and their partners, like IRCO.

Fatima first heard about Medical Teams through IRCO and decided to seek care for her high blood pressure, anxiety, and ongoing dental pain. During her first clinic visit, she received screenings for diabetes and blood pressure and visited the dental van, where a team of volunteer dentists treated her. Fatima thought she would need to have a cracked tooth pulled, but our volunteer dentists treated her with a filling instead, relieving her of her pain. While at the clinic, Fatima also enrolled in health insurance, ensuring she could continue to get the high blood pressure medication she needs.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Fatima shared her appreciation for the support she’s received, calling her experience “excellent.” Smiling, she reflected on the help she’s been given, sharing, “If I didn’t have access to this care, I would be lost.”

Smiles and Support in Tanzania

Niyukuri smiles while resting in the arms of his mother in a Medical Teams clinic in Tanzania.
Niyukuri smiles while resting in the arms of his mother in a Medical Teams clinic in Tanzania. Photo by Suhaila Stanthon Thawer.

 

For Nibizi Promesse, life has been an uphill battle since fleeing Burundi in 2015. After escaping the chaos of war, she found herself homeless, shunned by her mother, and abandoned by the father of her children. Despite everything she endured, she was determined to care for her two children, including her four-year-old son Niyukuri Kingi who was born with sickle cell disease.

When Niyukuri became sick with severe malaria, his condition was dire. He cried in pain, his body burned with fever, and his oxygen levels dipped to dangerously low levels.

“I panicked and rushed him to the clinic,” Nibizi remembers. When they arrived at the clinic, Medical Teams staff acted swiftly – providing oxygen, administering malaria treatment and medicine, and performing a blood transfusion. After three days in the hospital, Niyukuri began to recover.

“As a mother, I was terrified I would lose him,” Nibizi shares. “But Medical Teams saved his life. Without them, he wouldn’t be here.”

Today, Niyukuri is regaining his strength, and Nibizi’s heart is filled with hope. She dreams of her son’s full recovery and is determined to see him grow healthy and strong. Reflecting on her journey, Nibizi says,

“Receiving quality health care for free is a blessing. Medical Teams is the reason my son is alive today.”

Minani Janeth smiles while holding her twin babies in a clinic in Tanzania
Minani Janeth smiles while holding her twin babies in a clinic in Tanzania. Photo by Suhaila Stanthon Thawer.

 

We’re rounding out our top 10 photos of 2024 with the joyful photo above! Janeth Minani, a 29-year-old mother from Burundi, fled to Tanzania in 2015 to escape war, but her journey was far from easy. After facing domestic abuse and becoming pregnant, Janeth discovered she was HIV-positive during a routine antenatal visit. The news shattered her, and her husband’s cruel reaction left her feeling hopeless. However, Medical Teams provided critical support through counseling, home visits, and antiretroviral therapy, helping Janeth manage her HIV and safeguard her children’s health. Thanks to Medical Teams’ care, Janeth gave birth to twins who were HIV-negative, and she began to heal emotionally and physically.

Janeth’s experience with Medical Teams gave her the strength to keep fighting for her children’s future. While continuing to recover from the trauma of abuse, she finds peace in the support of healthcare workers at the clinic. “Without them, I might not have survived,” she reflects, deeply grateful for their role in saving her and her children’s lives. Despite the hardships she has faced, Janeth’s resilience shines through, as she focuses on her twins’ well-being and hopes for a better future.

Vote for your favorite!

We’re curious, what’s YOUR favorite photo out of our top 10 pics for 2024? Vote below! We’ll announce the winning photo in January 2025.

 

 

 


Lauren Odderstol
Photographer, Storyteller & Producer

Lauren is a humanitarian photographer, storyteller, and film producer who leads the global content team for Medical Teams International. Passionate about using her skills to elevate stories around the world, Lauren has been working in nonprofit photography, film and storytelling for over 10 years for Medical Teams and other organizations such as PBS, Catholic Charities, and International Justice Mission. While off the clock, she runs her own photography and production business and enjoys international travel and exploration.