Mother's Day 2014

Happy Mother's Day!

"I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” — Abraham Lincoln

  

 “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ― Washington Irving

“Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all.”

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

“I’m a mother,” said her mother, in her foodless flat where the dust did not dare to settle, “and I know what I know.”

~ Neil Gaiman

“If I was damned of body and soul,

I know whose prayers would make me whole,

Mother o’ mine, O mother o’mine.”

~ Rudyard Kipling

“My mother... she is beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. I want to grow old and be like her.” ― Jodi Picoult

"Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother's love is not." - James Joyce

"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." - William Makepeace Thackeray

A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. - Victor Hugo

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.
- Abraham Lincoln

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.
- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

My mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart - a heart so large that everybody's joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation.- Mark Twain

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.- Lin Yutang

The mother is everything - she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness. He who loses his mother loses a pure soul who blesses and guards him constantly.- Kahlil Gibran

When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself.- Nancy Friday

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My mother.- Ann Taylor

Wanted: Medical Director for Lalmba Ethiopia

"Calling all Global Health Professionals" 

Ready for the personal and professional adventure of a lifetime?

We are currently looking for a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner to serve as medical director for our rural health clinic in Chiri, Ethiopia.   

Chiri is such a beautiful place.  After a challenging day seeing patients with illnesses you have never seen before, you will be rewarded with a magnificent sunset on your house on the hill overlooking the Ethiopian highland rainforest.  

 

This could be you!

Read our job announcement below:

Health Center Medical Director

Chiri, Ethiopia

Lalmba Association is a small, Colorado-based NGO that operates a Health Center, Public Health, community development and orphan care programs in a remote area of the Ethiopian highlands.  We are looking for a volunteer Medical Director who will oversee the Health Center operations for a period of 1-2 years beginning in summer 2014.

Lalmba pays no salary but covers all expenses related to travel to/from Ethiopia, and working and living in Ethiopia (visas, immunizations, airfare, room and board, medical & life insurance).  We will only consider candidates currently located and licensed in the U.S., South America, Canada or Europe.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Medical Director will provide the leadership over Lalmba’s Ethiopian medical programs, including the health center and 15-bed inpatient ward, provide medical oversight to the Public Health programs and staff, and will supervise and provide medical training to local medical professionals.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Qualified candidates are Physicians, Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants who have a desire to serve the poor.  A current medical license to practice in the U.S., South America, Canada or Europe is absolutely required.  Must be willing to make a 1 to 2 year commitment and work in a very rural location.  No special training on tropical disease is necessary.   

TO APPLY:   For more information, go to www.lalmba.org or call 303-485-1810.  If you are a Physician, NP or PA currently located and licensed in the U.S., Canada, South America or Europe and would like to apply, please fill out the application form on our Volunteer page: http://www.lalmba.org/volunteer_form.html

MISSION STATEMENT Lalmba provides medical, educational and relief services to the people of Africa through self-help programs which teach and train the people we serve to care for their own needs as much as possible, and provide them resources not usually available in Africa. We have a special love for orphan children whom we see, not as a burden, but as part of a brilliant future for Africa.

BEYOND RCAR: A Success Story

by Annet Bakker-Brouwer

As a volunteer from the Netherlands, I have been living for seven months in Matoso, Kenya. My husband, Boudewijn Bakker, is Medical Director of Lalmba Kenya. I contribute to Lalmba in multiple roles and I am here to serve the LUO-people of this district who have such a hard life. As a psychologist,  I am always anxious to know what the results are of supporting so many children during the 30+ years that Lalmba has been involved in Kenya.  What has happened to these kids? What kind of jobs do they have? How were Lalmba services able to help them when they were in a very vulnerable situation, at such a young age?

During a recent visit to the Matoso Academy Complex, I met a teacher who was helped by Lalmba's RCAR program. His name is Erick. With the money you as donors gave, he was able to attend school. I am very moved by his story; you can read it below:

Erick, a very intelligent man of 25, starts by thanking Lalmba donors for getting the opportunity to go to school.

Erick stands close to his father's knee for a rare family portait.

When he was 3 years old, the youngest of 8 children, his father died. There was no money in the family for school after the 5^th grade.  He really wanted to attend school, so he started to earn money at the beach of Lake Victoria in Matoso by pulling nets and collecting the fish the fishermen had caught that night.  It was not enough…. as a 10 year old he went to the office of Lalmba in Matoso and asked for help. The leaders of RCAR visited his home and school to assess his needs and to see his examination results. The need was obvious, and because he was one of the best students in his class, Lalmba took him into their program by paying his school fees, books and uniforms. After receiving high grades on his exams in primary school, he was motivated to continue his education. Both his grades and his drive to continue his studies qualified him for a Lalmba scholarship to attend secondary school (high school.)

Erick's graduation photo from the
University of Nairobi

After completing high school, again near the top of his class, Erick's academic dreams continued -- he wanted to attend college in Nairobi.  (The RCAR program supports students only up to secondary school.)  He started to earn some money, and his family also helped him by selling some of the family cows. Eventually they saved enough so he could start his first year of college! But, it was still not enough to continue. So, he organised a fundraising party, inviting more than 200 people. This is common in Kenya when you have money problems; it's the third world version of Kickstarter. The visitors paid for a nice evening with music, drinks and some food. From this, he received enough money to pay for second year of college.  And then he did it again for the third year. For his last year of college and for his exams he took a student loan from the university, which he still needs to repay.

In July 2013, 25 years old, Erick graduated with high marks with a teaching degree in Mathematics, Science, English end Social Studies. And . . . now he's back in Matoso working as a teacher at the Matoso Academy Complex, a private Primary School in Matoso.

Erick, giving a math lesson to 6th graders

Erick is very happy to be a teacher and to be able to live and work in the community of his family.  He would like to thank the donors of Lalmba for the opportunity to attend Primary and Secondary school. Now, it's his turn to take care of his extended family. His salary is low - teachers the world over are underpaid, especially in Kenya. He also needs to repay his student loan. But once his debts are paid, and only then, he believes, will he be able to marry and raise a family. These are the burdens of modern man in Kenya, and in spite of them, he remains happy and grateful for all the support he has received. Now, in his own way, it's his turn to support Lalmba---by teaching RCAR orphans just like him how to succeed in spite of many obstacles.  "Thank you to my friends who support Lalmba!"

Erick with his 6th grade class.

Erick (second from left) with his colleagues at the Matoso Academy Primary School

Eldercare in Kenya

"I am as young as the most beautiful wish in my heart - 

and as old as all the unfulfilled longings in my life."

- An elderly bushman's answer when asked his age. 

One of my most memorable days at Lalmba Kenya was the day I spent visiting the elderly in our Eldercare program.   Two years ago, Hugh noted the plight of the ‘forgotten’ very old members of the Matoso community.  Many elderly widows and widowers who have lost their children to AIDS are living without assistance in very poor conditions.

For the past 2 years, Lalmba has been providing some modest assistance to the elderly who lack family with resources to assist them: a bar of soap, a mattress and blanket, some food supplies. 

Here are a few of them:

Sabina Midega, 80, has been a widow for over 20 years.  She had 3 daughters, all of whom were married to men in faraway villages  (In Luo culture, once a daughter marries, she becomes a member of her husband’s family).  One of Sabina’s daughters disappeared several years ago, and until now still has not been found, something that haunts Sabina every day.

Sabina now lives with her grandsons, who attend school through Lalmba’s RCAR program.  She receives some food and supplies through Lalmba’s eldercare program, which she and her grandsons use to make ends meet.  She spends most of her time lying in bed, due to her advanced age and weakness.   She does manage to sit up to prepare food for her grandsons in the evenings when they return from school.

Magdalina Otieno, 90, is one of the oldest people Matoso has ever known. Virtually blind and almost deaf, she is cared for by one of her surviving daughters.  Magdalina had 5 children, 3 of whom died, along with her husband who died 15 years ago.  Magdalina stays in a bat-ridden house next to her daughter’s and is not able to get out of bed.  Her daughter assists her with all her daily care needs, and Lalmba assists with Magdalina’s food and living supplies.  When visitors come to Magdalina’s house, she likes to sit up in bed, holding and patting their hands for as long as they are willing to stay.

Salim Ogutu was born in 1930.  He says he disappeared from home for a long period of time as a child and has no memory of it.  He suffered from leprosy as an adult and never married or had any children as a result.  Because of his history of leprosy, community members have declined to support Salim in his old age.  When Lalmba met Salim, he was without shelter.  Lalmba helped him make arrangements to inherit his late brother’s house, where he now lives.  He gets some support from Lalmba, and also supplements his income by twisting sisal fibers (a local plant with tough stalks) to make rope, and sells it at market.  With his added income he is able to buy kerosene to light a lamp in the evenings, and also can purchase some vegetables.

Masela Ogur, 68, has been a widow for 20 years.  She had 3 daughters, all of whom have been married and joined their husbands’ families, and no sons.  Without other family members to support her, Masela is being cared for by her late husband’s younger co-wife (Polygamy is not uncommon in Luo culture).   The co-wife bathes and cleans Masela and cooks for her.  Masela is able to sit up in a chair for a few minutes at a time, but otherwise spends most of her time in bed.  The support Lalmba provides allows her to sustain herself without unduly burdening the co-wife and her family.

Dishon Obinju, 80, is a cheerful  man who loves to sing songs to any visitors to his hut.  Last week, using 2 sticks as canes, Dishon spent 6 hours walking to Lalmba’s clinic in Matoso, just 1 km. away, to ask for assistance.   Dishon made his living as a peasant farmer, had a wife who died along ago, and 6 sons, 3 of whom have also died.  As Dishon’s health has failed over the years, he is no longer able to farm and relies on begging to make his meager ends meet.  Lalmba’s support enables him to feed himself and rely less on begging in the streets. 

1000 Person Challenge

Help us meet our goal!

Friends,

Something unexpected and wonderful has happened!

As we celebrate our 50^th anniversary, a dear friend and long-time contributor has very generously offered to match every donation of $100, up to $100,000!

Doing the math... let’s see,

That’s $100 X 1000 people = $100,000 (doubled) = $200,000

We see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to carry us into our second 50 years.  Can you see what this could mean for us?  We could change the lives of so many people in Africa.

The past couple of years have been really difficult for us financially, and an opportunity such as this could make all the difference– not just to recover, but to endure.  It has all the components of making a “dream come true”.

And so---with this inspiring offer by a donor---we wonder if you, who feel that call to give something to others who have so little, could help us meet our goal?  Or, what if each of you found a neighbor, friend, or relative, with the same spirit of caring that inspires you to give?   Could you tell them a little about Lalmba, and help us to meet this challenge?

Benefits to joining this challenge:

·         Your tax-deductible gift of $100 will be doubled

·         Free gift!  Choose between Hugh and Marty’s new book, African Storybook,

·         OR a surprise gift from the Lalmba treasure trove in our hall closet (some real gems in there)! 

When you donate, indicate “challenge” on your check (or if you choose to donate online, write it in the "notes" field.) Also, write “book” or “surprise” so we know what to send you.

  

And send a prayer of thanksgiving for the generous patron who is making this possible.

Donate to Lalmba using Colorado Gives.

Thank you!

A Very Special Experience

The first time I ever heard about Matoso  was a couple of months ago, when my boyfriend left Chile to go there and work as medical volunteer. The idea of visiting him really made  me happy and I decided to go there and stay one month. I knew it was going to be a very special experience.

Ariel Castillo, Medical Director, Matoso, Kenya

I come from a country where I work as a dentist and my belief is I have everything I want or need.  However I must say that in Chile, people just live their lives, work all day and don´t pay much attention to one another.

In Matoso, and I believe that in many villages of Kenya, they don´t have electricity and  drinking water  is a luxury. Every day I saw women walking along Lake Victoria [to collect and haul] water. Life is hard and very different from what I’m used to. What really caught my eyes is that people are very friendly and seem happy all the time, despite all the problems or needs that they may have. They have always  a smiley face and even if you are just passing by they can scream to you “Hello Mazungu”.

"Kenya is not only safaris, it is a country with a rich culture and strong people."

I had the [opportunity] to share  lunch and chai with many Lalmba staff [members], and other members of the community. I saw the reality of a different culture, the treatment of  children with malnutrition, different kinds of sickness. It was one of the most important experiences I've ever had. This was not a movie, not TV, this was reality. It will be my pleasure to come back again and for sure tell the world that Kenya is not only safaris, it is a country with a rich culture and strong people.

I would like to thank everybody in the Matoso Medical Center and  everyone I met. You have been all very kind and I really appreciate that.

Pilar Torres Martínez

" It was one of the most important experiences I've ever had. This was not a movie, not TV, this was reality."

The Bank of Lalmba

Moses Okech Awino is a happy man! And why shouldn't he be? He has an enviable life!  In spite of living in one of the poorest parts of Kenya, he has a healthy family with 3 thriving children who are all in school,  he is a successful businessman, and he owns a nice home built from the profits of his small business.  

Moses started his business in 2008 with a $500 microfinance loan from Lalmba. Initially, he opened a shop selling basic automotive parts (oil filters, inner tubes, etc.) mainly for motor bikes, a very popular and cheap form of transportation in Kenya. Now, 5 years later, he sells a wide array of useful things from padlocks, to batteries, to shock absorbers and timing chains, and is even planning to grow his enterprise to become the first motorcycle distributor in town!  Moses is a success story.   He's among a growing number of Lalmba's microloan recipients who have pulled themselves out of poverty.  It's amazing what one can accomplish with a very small loan and a good idea.  After all, isn't that just how Lalmba started 50 years ago? 

Remember that Lalmba is a very small organization, serving the poor in the most remote communities, communities that even behemoth NGOs and GOs rarely reach. Note also that for the past 50 years Lalmba's primary focus has been providing quality health care for the poor, especially for orphan children who have no one else to care for them.  It is only since 1998 that we expanded our services  into the realm of microfinance. We've started slowly, but the evidence is clear that microloans can change people's lives in the most dramatic of ways. 

Ready to be surprised?  Listen to these numbers and tell me that microfinance isn't the most economical way to end poverty in the developing world!

Here are the facts:  In 15 years, Lalmba has invested a minuscule $8,000 in microfinance! And with that money, 338 people have received loans, an average of 23 people per year, with loans ranging from $100 to $500 per person. What's astounding is that every one of the loan recipients has repaid 100% of his or her loan! Seriously, we've had not a single loan defaulter.  Why not, you ask? Well, there are a number of factors, the main one being that we carefully select entrepeneurs with sound ideas who know the needs of their community. We also work with community leaders and other small business owners to provide classes on starting and running a business.  Lastly, there is a lot of community support (and pressure) for the loans to be repaid, because the people know that when the loan is repaid, that money can be reloaned out to someone else.  This is why our microfinance budget has remained so low. It's really $8000 per year, but it's same $8000 per year that was initially invested 15 years ago!

Meet more of the successful entrepreneurs from Matoso, Kenya. Here's Joseph Odhiambo.

For $235, Joseph, a trained tailor, bought a sewing machine and fabrics and started his business making custom clothes, specializing in men's suits.   3 years into his business, he now has 3 machines and 2 full-time employees, and in the evening he uses his shop as a school to train more people in the craft of tailoring. Several of his former students have even opened their own businesses in nearby towns. Oh, and he also has two cows! 

And then there's Jane Adhiambo Kausi.  As you can see, Jane has a produce stand selling fresh fruits and vegetables.

What you can't see is that she also has a taxi service. With her $350 loan from Lalmba, she bought her first supply of produce, and also put a down payment on a motorcycle, commonly used to taxi people from place to place. 

Motorcycles are very popular here because many of the roads are impassable to large vehicles, and the ubiquitous "piki-piki" can go anywhere. Where do you think Jane goes when she needs a new part for her motorcycle? You guessed it, she sees Moses! You see how this works. 

Matoso, Kenya - Taxi drivers waiting for patients at the Lalmba clinic. 

Sadly, Jane is also a widow caring for 6 young children, but she's making ends meet because of her 2 small businesses. 

She shares the profits from her taxi service with her hired motorcycle driver,  and with her small savings she has repaid her Lalmba loan.  In the future she plans to buy another piki-piki to grow her taxi service.  

Samuel Ojunju, a carpenter, received his loan in 2002. With it he bought lumber and all the hand tools necessary to start a business. Today, he has a successful furniture-making business and he employs 3 apprentices to learn the skill of carpentry. Just recently he built a workshop, which allows him to work inside year-round. Before then his work was done under a tree in front of his house, and during the rainy season he was often hampered by rain buffeting down on his work. He hopes someday to buy a generator and electric tools, which will allow him to increase his production.

Stay with me, I have just a couple more people I want you to meet!  Their faces are so kind and illustrate such pure happiness, that I cannot end this post until you meet them.

Here's Jacob Okech -- can you guess his trade? Yup, he's a welder, and a darn good one. See those green metal doors in the background? He made them and the rest of the building as well! He also makes security windows and horse-drawn carts, and anything else that needs building or mending. But when he received his loan from Lalmba, it was not for welding tools. His goal was to start a business simply recharging car batteries . . . for people who don't even own cars!  I know, you're wondering how a battery recharging business could be lucrative, and why would we make such a foolish loan. Well, in this area most houses don't have access to electricity, and most people can't afford a small generator or the fuel it takes to run it. So to run their lights, radios, televisions, etc. they buy a car battery and when fully charged it can provide several days' worth of electricity for people who would otherwise be living in the dark.
As you can see, Jacob's business justification made perfect sense, and soon it became profitable. This allowed him to expand into the arena of welding, which is now his main business. The demand for his products have become so high that he has hired 2 full-time employees to keep up with the work.

Lastly, Fred Nyakwa's business idea is a noble one. He has 14 employees who have the honor and challenge of enriching the minds of 241 secondary students. Fred is the headmaster and owner of the Othura Academy, a private school, and a profit-seeking endeavor. Fred built the school with money saved from working as a teacher in the government school system for many years. During his tenure as a teacher, he had dreams of opening his own school so that he could boost the standards of education and better prepare his students for the critical examinations they are required to take each year. Students need to pass these exams in order to advance to the next grade level.  Fred unfortunately ran out of money before construction of the school was complete, but he qualified for a small Lalmba loan, which allowed him to put the final touches on the buildings, and add desks and chairs for every child.  3 years later, his classrooms are full, and there is a demand from the community that he expand the school to add more students.   What a testimony to the quality of education Fred and the Othura teachers are providing!

That's only 6 of the 338 people that the Bank of Lalmba has helped. But it's not enough! There are well over 100,000 people living below the poverty line in the areas we serve.  Not all of them are going to be entrepreneurs, but we've seen how microloans can empower not only the recipient, but those he or she employs.

Our microloan program is just getting started. Our health care and orphan programs are a vital part of our mission and our purpose in Africa, but they are costly programs and consume the majority of our budget.   With our microfinance program, even relatively small donations can help us extend an opportunity to another bright, poor person with big dreams...all with a little loan and a good idea.    

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

by Dr. Kim Chen, Lalmba Medical Director

Let us tell you about some of the extraordinary good that ordinary medical practitioners can accomplish with Lalmba!

Birtukan is a 1 1/2 year old girl who was brought to Lalmba's Chiri Health Center in rural Ethiopia by her mother, who was concerned because Birtukan could not sit unassisted. A local nurse diagnosed her with severe malnutrition and admitted her to the health center to be fed specialized formula for severely malnourished children. After nine days of frequent feeds, Birtukan regained strength, added 1.5 pounds, and was able to sit by herself. Her mother attended cooking and nutrition classes while at the health center and gained the knowledge to help prevent malnutrition in the future.  There are many causes of malnutrition, including extreme poverty, but the amazing thing about the severe malnutrition we see in our clinic in Ethiopia is that it is not usually caused by famine or lack of food---it is often related to a lack of knowledge.  Parents don't understand what foods are required for children's healthy growth.  This is one reason our public health programs are so vital to the people there.


Mary, in her late twenties, walked an hour from her village near the Tanzanian border to Lalmba's Ochuna satellite clinic in rural Kenya. She had persistent fevers, body aches, and headaches. After being diagnosed with malaria and given medicines to combat the disease, Mary was offered HIV testing, which she readily accepted. Given the 25% HIV prevalence in the lake regions of western Kenya, Mary was pleased to hear that her result was negative.

Moses is a healthy 7 year- old boy attending school in rural Kenya. He and his classmates are lining up to take medicines to expel intestinal worms, which can cause diarrhea, anemia, and other gastrointestinal problems. He is looking forward to middle school when Lalmba's health education team will teach kids about HIV prevention.

Are you looking for different challenges in your life? Are you interested becoming a global health volunteer, directing a medical team that treats tuberculosis and malaria?  Are you interested in leading public health outreach that educates communities on nutrition and safe deliveries?

If you are a physician, a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, or a public health educator, Lalmba would like to support your endeavors. With your help and in the spirit of global health, we strive to build capacity in rural communities in East Africa. Visit our website at www.lalmba.org.

The Talent Within - Videos from Kenya and Ethiopia

Lalmba is blessed with some very talented people with big hearts who serve on our Board of Directors.  Bill Masure is an award-winning photojournalist/videographer who works for CBS4 in Denver. See below how Bill describes our work in Kenya and Ethiopia in a way that can only be done visually. A quote from my favorite book, The Little Prince, says "it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."    Somehow Bill, with his heart as the guiding force, managed to convey Lalmba's mission. This is a chance to pay a visit to Lalmba's projects for yourself, without the 19- hour flights and 12 hours of dirt roads!  Sometimes what is essential in life IS made visible!   

Kenya

Ethiopia

Microfinance Monday!

Out of Poverty -The Story of Jackline Awuor Ochieng

 

 

Jackline, who lives near Lalmba's project in Matoso, Kenya, lost her husband to AIDS 7 years ago. Left with 4 children to support, and no job prospects, Jackline had no hope until she heard about Lalmba's small loan program.  She had skill as a tailor, but no money to get her business started.  After applying and receiving funds, about $100,  through Lalmba's program, she bought a sewing machine, fabrics, and found a small room to rent in Matoso. Her business has taken off. She makes dresses, men's suits, and school uniforms, a big part of her business. To attend school in Kenya, whether private or public, students must pay to have a uniform made. These are not generic uniforms that can be purchased; each school has branded its uniforms with a unique color and design.  Each uniform is custom-made by a tailor like Jackline.
 

 

Because of this need and her talent, Jackline's business is a success. Her 4 children attend school, and she even has money set aside for her 2 secondary school children who have hopes to attend college.  The work of 1 machine will not pay college tuition, however. Her next plan is to increase the size of her business to 6 machines, allowing her to train and hire more people, providing a livelihood for more community members in need. That's how microfinance changes lives!     

Donate to help more people like Jackline.

Happy Mother's Day

 

This Mother's Day seems like the perfect time to highlight our commitment to maternal health.  A big part of our mission at Lalmba is to promote healthy and safe pregnancies for women in the remote communities of Kenya and Ethiopia. We do this through prenatal and postnatal care, continuous follow-up through growth-monitoring and nutritional education.  This is an investment of love for the most basic partnership of all -- a mother and her child. It's also the first step to ensuring healthy children, thus prosperous families, thus happy communities.

 

Every year we are reminded of the  link between the health of mothers and the well-being of their children. When mothers are healthy, have access to education and economic opportunity, the entire family has the chance to thrive. This is why in each of our facilities we have empowered women from the communities to train with us and assist in our public health efforts, so that they can be the source of continued education for their children when professional health providers are out of reach.

 

Let's face it, women are the main influences in families and in communities, and therefore are vital in achieving our mission of preventing disease before it starts and stopping the cycle of poverty.

 

Did you know that 57 countries have critical shortages of basic health care and 36 of them are in Africa? That's why we're there, and it's why we'll stay until our services are no longer needed.
 

Did you know that more than 200,000 women's lives and at least 5 million children's lives could be saved each year if all women and children had access to basic health care?

Lalmba's reach isn't that large -- we're a small organization, but we are making a BIG impact in the remote communities we serve!

 

The reason Lalmba started 50 years ago was to care for orphans who didn't have a mother or a father. And it's still a huge part of our mission. Today, thankfully, we have two wonderful women who are the surrogate mothers for the orphans in our care, and Mother's Day is a perfect day to introduce you to them.

 

Meet Jenipher Atieno Opiyo, our Children's Director in Kenya. Jenipher has been with Lalmba for over 20 years. She started as a cook and then worked her way up through the organization until it was discovered that she has a special love for children in need. There couldn't be a better person to provide care for the over 1400 orphans that Lalmba supports in Kenya. Happy Mother's Day, Jenipher! We appreciate all that you do.
 

 

 

 

In Ethiopia, our Children's Director also started as a cook. Meet Aselevich Terefe, a remarkable woman, a natural leader with the kindest heart, always pushing the children to be the best people and students they can be. It's no exaggeration when we say that the orphans in our care are at or near the top of their class in school. Their success is a testament to Aselefich's high standards, and the quality of care she provides. Happy Mother's Day, Aselevich!
 

 

 

While we're recognizing the special mothers of Lalmba, we can't overlook The Mother of Lalmba, Marty Downey. Hugh (right) and Marty (left) are the founders of Lalmba. They started this organization with nothing but love, compassion and a vision for a better life for a group of orphans in Eritrea. 50 years later they now have an organization that helps thousands of the poorest people in East Africa. None of it could have been accomplished without Marty's unflinching courage and compassion for the children and the poor. Happy Mother's Day, Marty!
 

 

 

Another special mother to Lalmba is my dear wife, the mother of my three children, my partner in life, and my partner in leading Lalmba into the next 50 years, Hillary James. Happy Mother's Day, sweetheart. I look forward to sharing this next chapter in life with you, carrying on the heroic work that Hugh and Marty started.

 

 

 

Lastly, to end this tribute to the mothers of Lalmba, the most important mothers are the ones we serve. They are the people who will transfer their knowledge back home and transform their communities into places that are healthy and prosperous. So, to the mothers of Decha Woreda and Matoso and all the remote communities that we're able to reach, Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

“Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all.”

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

 

 

“I’m a mother,” said her mother, in her foodless flat where the dust did not dare to settle, “and I know what I know.”

~ Neil Gaiman

 

 

 

“If I was damned of body and soul,

I know whose prayers would make me whole,

Mother o’ mine, O mother o’mine.”

~ Rudyard Kipling

 

 

 A mother

Tenderly urging

Confidently struggling her will into you

Nourishing you from her body

Taming you into her vision of your future

Comforting your pain with vigor and purpose.

- Unknown

 

 

"Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother's love is not." - James Joyce

 

"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." - William Makepeace Thackeray

 

 

 

A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. - Victor Hugo

 

 

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.
- Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.
- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
 

 

 

My mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart - a heart so large that everybody's joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation.- Mark Twain
 

 

 

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.- Lin Yutang

 

 

 

The mother is everything - she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness. He who loses his mother loses a pure soul who blesses and guards him constantly.- Kahlil Gibran

 

 

 

 

When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself.- Nancy Friday
 

 

 

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My mother.- Ann Taylor