Health

A Mother Saved in Luglow IDP (Kismayo Rural)

When Hodan went into labor with her third child, she began experiencing life-threatening complications. In her rural village outside Kismayo, there was no doctor nearby, only a small health post with limited resources. Her family feared she would not survive the night.

Fortunately, a neighbor alerted an SFH-supported health facility a few kilometers away. The community quickly gathered to arrange transport, and within an hour Hodan was in the hands of trained midwives and emergency staff.

At the facility, Hodan received urgent care. The medical staff stabilized her condition, provided safe delivery, and ensured her newborn was healthy. Both mother and baby survived because life-saving interventions were available when she needed them most.

For Hodan, this experience changed her perspective. She realized how many women in her community lacked access to essential maternal health services and could lose their lives in childbirth.

Today, Hodan is a proud volunteer health advocate. She speaks in community forums, encouraging expectant mothers to seek antenatal care early and to deliver at safe, equipped facilities. Her story has inspired dozens of women in her village to prioritize their health and safety.

Feeding Hope in Bula Bartire

Mohamed, a young father and farmer, noticed that his son had become weak, thin, and lethargic. He feared for his child’s life as the signs of malnutrition became worse. Like many families in Baidoa, Mohamed’s crops had failed due to prolonged drought, leaving little food at home.

Desperate, he brought his son to an SFH nutrition center where health workers assessed his child’s condition. The boy was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition and immediately enrolled in a treatment program.

Over the following weeks, his son received ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), vitamins, and consistent monitoring. Slowly but surely, the boy regained weight, energy, and joy. His laughter returned to the household, giving Mohamed renewed hope.

The program did more than save his son’s life. SFH staff also trained Mohamed and other parents on proper child nutrition, food hygiene, and sustainable farming practices. They learned how to combine local foods into balanced meals and prevent malnutrition from returning.

Today, Mohamed has become an advocate for child nutrition. He teaches other fathers in his village about food security and shares his story in community meetings. He is proud to see his once-sick son now running, playing, and thriving.

Mobile Clinics Reach the Forgotten

Asha, a mother of four, lives in a remote settlement outside Afmadow where basic services are almost non-existent. Her youngest child had never been seen by a doctor and suffered frequent fevers and coughs. For years, Asha believed this was simply her family’s fate.

Everything changed when SFH introduced mobile health clinics to her region. For the first time, a team of doctors and nurses arrived directly at her village with medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic tools.

The team quickly discovered that Asha’s child was suffering from pneumonia—a disease that can be fatal if untreated. With immediate care, antibiotics, and follow-up, the child began to recover within days. For Asha, it was nothing short of a miracle.

During the same visit, the mobile clinic vaccinated her other children against measles and polio. Asha was also given guidance on hygiene, nutrition, and how to prevent common childhood illnesses.

Since then, she has become one of the strongest supporters of SFH’s mobile services. She often helps spread the word in neighboring villages when the clinic is scheduled to return, ensuring other families benefit as well. Her story proves that even the most forgotten communities deserve hope and care.

Rebuilding Health in Afmadow

Ali, a nurse in Afmadow, dedicated his life to serving his community, but his clinic was severely under-resourced. With broken equipment, scarce medicines, and overwhelming patient numbers, Ali often faced heartbreaking choices—who to treat and who to turn away.

When SFH began supporting the clinic, everything started to change. The facility received basic equipment, supplies, and medicines that were previously unavailable. Training workshops helped Ali and his colleagues improve their skills and confidence.

Patients noticed the difference immediately. Children received vaccinations on time, mothers had safe deliveries, and chronic illnesses were managed with dignity. The clinic went from being a place of despair to a beacon of hope.

Ali often recalls a day when a young girl suffering from severe dehydration was brought in. Thanks to the new equipment and stocked medicines, the team saved her life—something that would have been impossible just months before.

Today, Ali feels proud and motivated. “Before SFH, we only managed emergencies. Now we can save lives every day,” he says. His story reflects how strengthening health systems is just as important as treating individual patients.

Youth Leading Change in Baidoa

Fatima, a 19-year-old student in Baidoa, was always passionate about helping her community but didn’t know where to start. She joined SFH’s health education club and found her calling as a youth leader.

Through workshops and training sessions, Fatima learned about hygiene promotion, reproductive health, and nutrition. She discovered that small changes, like washing hands properly and safe food storage, could save lives.

Encouraged by SFH mentors, she began leading sessions at her school and later expanded into community gatherings. Her confidence grew as she spoke to groups of women, men, and youth about practical steps to prevent disease.

Fatima’s leadership has inspired dozens of young people to join health clubs and volunteer. She has become a respected voice in her neighborhood, bridging the gap between health professionals and community members.

Her dream is to one day become a nurse. For now, she is already saving lives through education and awareness. Fatima shows that when youth are empowered, they can be the driving force of lasting change.

From Hunger to Healing in Bal cad

Ahmed, a displaced father in Bal cad, had lost everything to drought and conflict. His family was living in an overcrowded IDP camp, with little food and no income. His young daughter became dangerously thin and weak.

When SFH health workers screened children in the camp, they found Ahmed’s daughter was suffering from acute malnutrition. She was enrolled immediately in a nutrition program and given therapeutic food and medical care.

Week by week, Ahmed watched his daughter regain her strength. For the first time in months, she began to laugh, play, and smile again. The transformation filled him with relief and gratitude.

But SFH didn’t stop at treatment. Ahmed was also given the chance to participate in a cash-for-work program, which provided him with income to buy food and basic necessities for his family.

Today, Ahmed feels hopeful about rebuilding his life. His daughter’s recovery is a reminder that even in the darkest times, timely support can restore dignity and bring healing. His family’s resilience is a testament to the power of compassion and solidarity.