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 watermany miles away. Sometimes it takes us all day. 4. In the evening, I return home to gather food fromthe 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 workin the city, I must travel alone andleave the other children at home. 7. We are going to walk to the other side of themountain 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 thatthey have no doctoror medicines for Malaika. But my baby is so sick. Please help us! 13. She tells me that I must go to the hospital inSame 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 19. 20.

Some villagers walk for hours, even days, on steep mountain paths to see the doctor.Most have not gottenany medical attention for years.

21.

Doctors and nurses must workwith primitive technology, making it difficultto treat even the most common illnesses.

22.

When a mission doctor first arrives in a village, the waiting area is often full for weeks on end.

23. A mission doctor quickly realizesthat his/her work is never done 24. Patients are seen in a variety of settings which requires a very flexible medical missionary 25.

The clinics are usually cement shellswith no lab or x-ray

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 outdatedor in low supply 30.

Doctors in mission clinics often see60-100 patients per day

31. Mobile clinics often include long hoursin challenging environments 32.

Sometimes mission families travel long distances in very tight spaces

33.

But the joys of working as a family in the medical missions out way the struggles

34. 35.

Children experience the joy of serving others (Cecilia as pharmacist)

36. And learn to create something beautiful for God e 37. OB Ward mural 38. and how to give without counting the cost 39.

and learn to work hard with a smile

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The friends we make while onmission stay with us forever

41. 42. The simple love we share fillsus with great fulfillment and peace 43.

Simplicity brings many joys

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and brings the family closerthrough work and prayer

45. and our mutual faith bindsus 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 51.

Bwambo Health Center's well-stocked pharmacy

52. The St. Croix Catholic Youth Center 53. Change For Change 54. The Woman-to-Woman Project $50 can change a woman's life! 55.

What is MDA?

Mission Doctors Association has sent and supported Catholic doctors and their families in mission hospitals and clinics around the world since 1959.

56. Doctors work for free to care for patients and provide training and support to improve the quality of healthcare in the long term. 57. For doctors and their families who serve long-term, MDA provides airfare, insurance and a small stipend.

Doctors and their families who serve short-term, one three months, cover all of these expenses with the help of family and friends.

58.

MDA is making the most ofyour donations

National office in Los Angeles is staffed by 2 employees

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 63.

X-Ray Machine for Bwambo Hospital $10,000

64.

We are so grateful to you formaking our work possible!

65. 66. Please take this opportunity to consider what you might give 67. So babies like Malaika will have a chance to live