Amina lives in Tanzania and must make a long journey on foot to seek medical help for her sick baby, Malaika. She walks for two days to reach a clinic, but they have no doctor or medicine. She is told to travel further to a hospital, but arrives to find no beds available. The next day, the nurse tells Amina that Malaika has died. Tanzania has very few doctors and medical resources for its population, so villagers often must walk long distances to receive basic care, if they receive any at all. Mission doctors and clinics try to fill the gap, but face challenges with limited supplies, outdated equipment, and large patient volumes.

1. My name is Amina. My baby's name is Malaika, which means angel in Swahili

2. In Tanzania, our children are our greatest treasures.

3. Most days I must leave my children to fetch water many miles away. Sometimes it takes us all day.

4. In the evening, I return home to gather food from the garden and to cook supper over the fire.

5. Three days ago, my baby Malaika became ill. Now she has a fever and is very sick. I must find a doctor.

6. Since, my husband is away finding work in the city, I must travel alone and leave the other children at home.

7. We are going to walk to the other side of the mountain to the clinic. It will take me two days. I hope the weather is good.

8. I will bring some greens on my journey for my food. I will have to find water along the way.

9. I am thirsty now. The road is very hot and dry. Malaika has been crying all day.

10. I am tired after walking all day. Tonight I will sleep here. Tomorrow, I will finish my journey to the clinic. I pray that Malaika will live through the night.

11. I have finally arrived at the clinic. I wait here with the other women for six hours. Malaika's fever is very high now.

12. The nurse tells me that they have no doctor or medicines for Malaika. “But my baby is so sick. Please help us!”

13. She tells me that I must go to the hospital in Same at the base of the mountain - 30 kilometers away. I am afraid to go to a big town. I don't know anyone there and my children at home must be worried by now.

14. As I arrive at the hospital in the evening, I feel very hungry. I have not eaten or had water all day. Malaika has not nursed since yesterday.

15. When I arrive at the hospital, the ward nurse tells me that all of the beds are full. Some have three patients in one bed. I must wait. I am very tired. Malaika is sleeping now.

16. Finally the nurse comes out to examine my baby girl

17. “Malaika has died,” she tells me.

18. In Tanzania there are 200 doctors available for 40 million people

23. A mission doctor quickly realizes that his/her work is never done

24. Patients are seen in a variety of settings which requires a very flexible medical missionary

26. Supplies are in great demand

27. And often times hard to locate

28. Operating rooms are out-dated and poorly equipped, making it difficult to perform even basic surgeries.

29. Drugs are often outdated or in low supply

31. Mobile clinics often include long hours in challenging environments

36. And learn to create something beautiful for God e

37. OB Ward mural

38. and how to give without counting the cost

42. The simple love we share fills us with great fulfillment and peace

45. and our mutual faith binds us as sisters and brothers in Christ

46. We become “ a pencil in the hand of God” Mother Teresa

47. and have a little bit of fun too!

48. And you made it happen!

49. Programs that you have supported this past year

50. Ultra-Sound Machine

52. The St. Croix Catholic Youth Center

53. Change For Change

54. The Woman-to-Woman Project $50 can change a woman's life!

56. Doctors work for free to care for patients and provide training and support to improve the quality of healthcare in the long term.

59. Mission families on short-term assignments raise funds on their own.

60. Committed board of directors underwrites many activities with personal resources.

61. For every $100 Mission Doctors Association receives, a volunteer physician can care for 33 patients

62. = $3 per patient

66. Please take this opportunity to consider what you might give

67. So babies like Malaika will have a chance to live