News From Africa. Vol. 61, No. 1
November 19, 2024
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Lalmba Association was started by “mom and pop” Hugh and Marty Downey from Kansas City, Missouri. Hugh founded Lalmba after seeing (and immediately meeting) the needs of two orphan boys he met while serving in the US Army in Keren, Eritrea. He went home, married Marty, and together they have served the people of Africa ever since, meeting the needs where they seem the greatest. Little did they know that over the years, Lalmba would treat well over two million patients in our hospitals and medical clinics, and care for thousands of orphaned or at-risk children.
In the mid 70’s war in Eritra forced Lalmba to move. 1979 Lalmba started operations in Sudan to help refugees crossing the boarder from Eritrea as the fled the war. What better way to understand what it was like then to read about it through Hugh’s News?
Working at the “end of the road” and in such remote parts of Africa has enormous challenges. As the situation is Sudan worsened, Hugh and Marty felt it was time to find another area, another people to serve. They asked two volunteers, Bob and Gruffie, to work with the Catholic Church and other local people in Kenya to find a community in Kenya. And on the shores of Lake Victoria, Lalmba Kenya was born.
In March of 2024 Hugh and Marty returned to the shores of Lake Victoria and visited Lalmba’s Matoso Clinic. It was an amazing moment in time and commemorated by the Denver Catholic Register in this article.
It was 61 years ago, on a remote road in Africa, that Deacon Hugh Downey’s life changed forever.
“I didn’t ask to get into this,” Deacon Downey said. “God played a trick on me. He suckered me in. It was 1963, and I was driving on a road in Africa and saw a priest walking down the road, or who I thought was a priest. So I stopped and offered him a ride. He took me to his village, and that was the day that my whole life changed.” (Read more here…)
In 1998 Lalmba truly went to the end of the road, and beyond. With the hard work of a young volunteer couple, Dr. David and Dr. Kim, Lalmba Ethiopia was started.
As Hugh and Marty grew older, they included many others in the work that they consider a blessing. So often organizations like Lalmba fade away when the founders retire. That isn’t the case with Lalmba.
In September 2013, Hugh and Marty officially retired, and handed over the reins to their successors and the Board of Directors.
Jeff and Hillary started as volunteers during the early days at the Chiri Health Center in Ethiopia. In 2013 they were asked by Hugh and Marty to follow in their footsteps and keep Lalmba going. 
It was no small feat and over the span of 9 years their love and dedication for Lalmba’s work helped ensure that it endured. They built up the Chiri Health Center and Children’s home, started the Agaro Bushi Clinic and Jeff led the first four Tembea na Mimi walks in Kenya. We express our deepest gratitude for their amazing work!
Read Jeff and Hillary’s final newsletter here.
Meet Jennifer Wenningkamp, the new heart at the helm of Lalmba. Jennifer’s journey, shaped by her time living in Africa and her background in non-profit administration and international law, blends beautifully with her genuine love for the people and her faith. She’s using her skills and passion to steer Lalmba towards a bright and impactful future.
Read more about Jennifer and our leadership team here.
Lalmba Association
PO Box 2516,
Monument, CO 80132 USA
lalmba@lalmba.org
720-260-6785
Accountability and Disclosure
EIN: 43-6057338
News From Africa. Vol. 61, No. 1
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