News From Africa. Vol. 61, No. 2

Weaving Hope, Cultivating Change

A few weeks ago, Aselefech, Lalmba Ethiopia’s RCAR Director, encouraged the women of the RCAR program to start an income-generating activity. She suggested basket weaving using rattan palm, a material readily available in the area. Nine women embraced the idea and formed a cooperative, gathering every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Lalmba compound to weave baskets for local markets. Their collective small business efforts are already building momentum, not just for their families, but for the entire community.

The smiles on these women’s faces as they weave together one of the humblest materials, grass, are a beautiful sign of joy. The broad blades of grass being crafted into baskets are much more than a product for local sale in their markets. They are holding the potential of hope for their future financial independence, not only for themselves but for their families as well. Their collective small business efforts and teamwork are building momentum for their neighbors and even their communities futures!

But Aselefech’s vision didn’t stop there. She also encouraged RCAR guardians to plow a portion of the land at the Chiri Children’s Home. Some have already started, coming on the same days as the basket weavers. The harvest will serve a dual purpose — feeding the children at the home while also providing food and income for the guardians who worked the land.

This is why our empowerment pillar is so critical for the communities Lalmba serves! When people have access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity, they can build a better future — not just for themselves, but for their entire RCAR Gaurdians learning to weave community. That’s why our work weaves these efforts together—medical care, at-risk children, and empowerment — to create lasting change. By investing in spaces and opportunities for learning and growth, we’re helping knowledge spread from person to person and generation to generation, paving the way for a brighter, more self-sufficient future.

These ladies will have ongoing financial mentorship and classes to encourage and equip them as they lead their new small business. Thank you for joining with us in creating a space for improving life-skills and ensuring that the future will be full of bright hope!

Give the Gift of Hope This Mother's Day

This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the incredible strength, love, and unwavering support of mothers everywhere. They are the heart of our families, the pillars of our communities, and the guiding lights in our lives. Mothers give so much, often with little recognition. This Mother’s Day, you have the opportunity to give back and empower the individuals Lalmba supports to thrive.

Instead of traditional gifts, we invite you to honor the spirit of motherhood by supporting Lalmba — providing essential resources to single mothers, strengthening maternal health initiatives, offering educational programs for young mothers, and sustaining our two homes for orphaned children. Friends like you are the hope Lalmba relies on to help thousands of children, adults, and elderly Kenyans and Ethiopians find a pathway out of poverty and live healthy, vibrant, and empowered lives.

Lalmba’s 61-year legacy is one of innovation and progress. Hope drives us to seek groundbreaking solutions, explore new possibilities, and push the boundaries of human potential by supporting communities to find and amplify their own voices.

At Lalmba, we are united by a shared passion for Mother and Child at the Matoso Clinic in Kenya making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Our diverse international team — comprising dedicated African staff, skilled medical professionals, and compassionate volunteers — works collaboratively toward a common goal: fostering rural prosperity in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Give the gift of hope this Mother’s Day,
and Lalmba will send a certificate in their honor.

Lalmba Clinics and USAID Changes

What happens in our clinics when the global landscape of medical care begins to shift?

Three U.S. family physicians — including Lalmba’s International Medical Director in Kenya and two visiting doctors from Pittsburgh — witnessed firsthand the impact of the sudden suspension of USAID funding. In Kenya, the organization responsible for distributing HIV medications was briefly disbanded, then reinstated. Fortunately, our Matoso Clinic, which had a three-month supply, received an additional three months of antiretroviral medicines, giving us more time to plan for potential shortages.

Lalmba’s clinics in Kenya and Ethiopia are part of each country’s broader public health system. We don’t operate like private clinics — we work in partnership with the Ministries of Health as public facilities. With many unknowns around USAID and global health care, our communities face interruptions, uncertainties, and possible shortages in medical supplies.

The regions we serve depend on USAID funding for essential health programs like anti-malarial medications, tuberculosis treatment, and vaccinations. As rationing begins, local staff are also preparing for potential civil unrest and increased security measures at medical facilities.

Join our Vision Partner Zoom on April 26 at 9 AM MDT to discuss Lalmba’s Medical Care pillar, clinic operations, and public health activities. We’ll also share how we’re navigating these changes. RSVP at lalmba@lalmba.org.

Please stand with Lalmba’s clinics, clinicians, and patients as we continue providing life-saving care.

You can also learn more on Charity Navigator.

Tembea Na Mimi 2025

On June 15th, a remarkable team of adventurers will set out on Tembea Na Mimi 2025 — a 150 to 180 mile trek through Kenya’s vast savannas of the Maasai Mara and rural communities to Lalmba’s clinic on the shores of Lake Victoria. But this is no ordinary journey. It’s a walk with purpose, a step-by-step commitment to supporting Lalmba’s mission of providing medical care, education, and empowerment to those in need.

Each walker brings a unique story, deep passion, and a shared belief in Lalmba’s vision of self-sufficiency and prosperity. They come from different backgrounds — doctors, business leaders, lifelong adventurers, and first-time trekkers — all united by a common goal: to make a lasting impact.

Over the next two months, these walkers will train, prepare, and most importantly, fundraise to support Lalmba’s life-changing work. Each step they take will raise awareness and funds for Lalmba’s clinics, at-risk children’s programs, and empowerment initiatives in Kenya and Ethiopia.

You can be part of this journey. Follow their progress, support their fundraising efforts, and join us in celebrating the dedication of these individuals.