Humanitarian Aid & Relief

The Power of a Single Story – How the 44-Cent Cure Can Change a Life

Sarah Kaczka is a social media intern at World Concern and will be posting on the blog this summer. As a sophomore at Wheaton College, she is interested in journalism and humanitarian aid, and hopes to use her love for storytelling to spread Christ’s love and encourage others.

As an avid reader and aspiring writer, I am fascinated with the art of storytelling. There’s something about a good story that pulls directly at my heart strings, and they often stick around in my mind for days after I hear them. Besides a riveting plot, intriguing setting, and a memorable cast of characters, a good story ultimately requires purpose and development, challenging the reader to consider a new idea or way of thinking. I especially love ones that have a redemptive ending.

Kahinur’s journey is definitely one of those stories.

FortyFourCentPillMom_FIN2917 - low res — Kahinur and her son at their home in an urban slum in Bangladesh.

As a mother living in a crowded urban slum in Bangladesh, Kahinur feels helpless to care for her infant son who has been sick for months. Her little boy likely has intestinal worms caused by the filthy environment and lack of sanitation in the slum where they live. These parasites suck the nutrients from her baby’s food and keep him awake all night, crying in pain.

This sweet little guy rests his head on Kahinur’s shoulder as she talks. His eyes are half closed, and his thin body is limp in her arms.

“I took him to several places for treatment, but nothing is working,” she pleads. Beads of perspiration cover her worried brow. The stifling afternoon heat causes a nauseating stench to rise from the garbage piles in the slum.

“I don’t know what will happen next with my son, and I am scared,” cries Kahinur. “If I fail to provide, then I fear my son could die.”

Parasites, like the ones attacking her baby’s body, can lead to malnourishment, diarrhea, and even blindness. And they stunt the development of a young child, causing permanent deficiencies if left untreated.

I can’t even imagine the fear Kahinur must have been facing in that moment, or her desperate frustration at not being able to provide relief for her son. Here in my suburban home, I am blessed to have doctors and hospitals nearby, never once having to worry about not having access to medicine.

Thankfully, Kahinur’s story continues. After receiving the 44-Cent Cure (deworming medicine), Kahinur’s son was fully restored back to health. Now Kahinur’s overwhelming worry is replaced by joy, and her tears are replaced by peace of mind and gratitude.

As much as I wish the story could end here, the truth is that there are thousands of families still suffering from parasite infections in Bangladesh. And their cries for help are not fictional – they are heartbreakingly real.

unnamed — The 44-Cent Cure provides lasting relief, evoking beautiful smiles on the faces of cured children.

But the good news is, it isn’t hard to help. For a small handful of pocket change, we can provide medicine that changes lives. Isn’t that exciting? When I first heard about the 44-Cent Cure, I couldn’t believe that providing immediate relief for sick children could be that simple – but it is. Learn how to get involved and partner with World Concern today.

In Christ, our stories are beautiful ones of redemption and hope. Our stories are important – they shape our identities and are the means by which we connect with one other. It’s so exciting to think that through organizations like World Concern, the story of an American college student, like me, can intertwine with that of a woman in Bangladesh like Kahinur.

How does your story empower you to take action and make a difference in the lives of others?

A 7-Year-Old’s Heart for One Village in Chad

Nina Tomlinson asked for donations to help the families in Maramara, Chad, for her 7th birthday.

When 7-year-old Nina Tomlinson heard that fire had destroyed most of the homes and crops in the remote village of Maramara, Chad, she was heartbroken for the families who lost everything. Nina’s church partners with the village of Maramara through World Concern’s One Village Transformed project. Nina had also just learned about habitats in school, so she understood how bad this disaster was.

“I know that you need food, water, and shelter to survive and Maramara lost two of those things,” the concerned first-grader told her mom. “I want to help!”

Nina's friends and family gave nearly $1,500 to help provide food and shelter to families in Maramara. — Nina’s friends and family gave nearly $1,500 to help provide food and shelter to families in Maramara.

Nina’s birthday was coming up and she decided to ask friends and family to donate to help the people of Maramara instead of giving her gifts. Her mom, Brie, created a Facebook event to tell others about Nina’s cause, and the donations started pouring in.

“It was awesome to show her other peoples’ generous hearts,” said Brie.

At her birthday party, an excited Nina revealed the total her friends had given. After it was all over, “She ended up raising just about $1,500,” said Brie.

Nina said she feels pretty awesome about being able to help other children and families facing devastating circumstances. Her birthday donation, along with additional support from her church, will enable people in Maramara to rebuild their homes, have enough food to eat until their crops can be restored, and most importantly, have hope for the future, knowing people like Nina care enough to help.

Women in the remote village of Maramara, Chad, stand amidst the ashes after a fire destroyed homes and crops.

With help from Nina and her church, families in Maramara are rebuilding their homes and replanting crops.

Children in Maramara received emergency food after the fire, thanks to support from Nina's church. — Children in Maramara received emergency food after the fire, thanks to support from Nina’s church.

In Somalia, one in three people have access to clean water; now, Canab is one of them

Canab pours water from a rehabilitated berkad.

“I am 40-years-old and above,” shares a poised Canab (pronounced Ah-nahb), “and I have lived in Balanbal my entire life.”

Snuggling up next to her without-a-doubt adorable daughter who is wrapped in a pink burka and wearing a coy smile, Canab tells me, “My children are healthy and they go to school. Some people think the school here is not good, but this is where all of my children have gone.”

We’re sitting on the dirt floor of Canab’s thatch hut – located on the main, and only, road in the very rural village of Balanbal, Somaliland. After meeting each other at one of the village’s recently rehabilitated berkads (a local water catchment system), Canab has invited me into her home to impart on me a bit more of her story.

“This land is difficult. We have suffered many droughts and famines,” Canab says, peering out of her doorway. “In the past, there have been times when we have gone seven days without water.”

Seven days.

I ask her how this makes her feel. The only question my dumbfounded mind is able to conjure up in response.

“My children are my heart, so when there is now water, I worry about them,” she pragmatically answers.

Canab's beautiful daughter, Namacima. — Canab’s beautiful daughter, Namacima.

Due to its semi-arid climate, Canab’s village is afflicted by persistent floods and droughts.

“The water is not always enough because we all are sharing, and currently we are experiencing a drought,” says Khadar, a 45-year-old father and lifetime resident of Balanbal.

Due to the area’s extreme weather, water devices such as berkads are necessary in order to catch and hygienically store rainwater – sustaining communities through the seemingly endless dry seasons.

Unfortunately, when a berkad has not been well maintained, it serves as more of a community monument – either inefficiently or un-hygienically storing the water.

“Our berkads used to be dry so we had to get our water from Burao, a faraway town,” explains Canab, reflecting on the past. “We would have to buy the water, but often times we had no money to do so.”

Canab continues, “Additionally, when we suffer, our animals also suffer. For a period of time I only had three goats.”

Muna peers out of her small shop in Balanbal.

“The berkads containing water are far away. The nearer berkads have dirty water or are empty,” says Muna, an 18-year-old mother and community member.

Recently, World Concern rehabilitated berkads in Balanbal, also offering hygiene and sanitation community trainings, contributing to a more holistic transformation.

According to Khadar, “Previously, the berkad’s water would only last for ten days. Now the water is enough for three months.”

“The World Concern trainings have taught us how to manage, distribute, and clean the water,” expresses a joyful Canab. “We are also learning about caring for the environment, including planting trees!”

Women stand next to a recently rehabilitated berkad.

World Concern is partnering with communities across Somaliland to improve their current water situations as well as prevent future disasters from occurring.

“Our eyes have been very opened by the trainings. We are healthier and so are our animals. We have learned many tangible things. As a community, we are helping each other and giving to those in need.”

Clearly, Balanbal’s berkads are now more than rusted tin meeting points – they are tangible symbols of health, income, disaster risk reduction, and community cooperation.

A Viewpoint From the Ground: Seeing Villages Transformed Takes Patience, Partnership, and Hard Work

The following is written by Michael Batakao, a World Concern program officer based in Goz Beida, Chad. He helps oversee the implementation of our One Village Transformed projects in Eastern Chad. In this blog post he shares some first-hand experiences from his work with World Concern, and how he sees lives being changed because of it.

I can honestly say that I never thought that I would one day land in Goz Beida, Chad. And I never imagined that I would be actively involved in the lives of rural communities.

Born and raised in Chad, I’ve always been an advocate for sustainable community development, particularly considering the country’s current socio-economic status. Chad ranks among the 10 poorest countries in the world. Because of this, it has been very exciting to be an integral part of World Concern’s One Village Transformed (OVT) program. I joined the team as an OVT program officer, which has allowed me to be involved in all stages of the project development and management cycles (assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, etc.) as well as some media work for World Concern headquarters.

My life and work with World Concern is far from boring.

My average day involves traveling with a team to visit one of World Concern’s partner villages – in other words, journeying between 1 and 2 hours by SUV or motorbikes over rocky/muddy/dusty and really bumpy roads with temperatures ranging from 80 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the rainy season (read: floods), when our vehicles get stuck in the mud, it can take between 3 and 7 hours to get out (which sometimes leads to spending the night in a village).

Normally, upon arriving in a village, we are warmly welcomed with hot tea, peanuts and other snacks.

For example, in Amkereribe village, Souleyman Ibrahim, the village Chief, normally greets us. He knows every World Concern team member by name and asks about those who are not present during our trips. He is great at expressing the views of the village and knows how to mediate when there are minor disagreements.

After spending the day holding meetings; training in harvesting techniques and water pump maintenance; delivering materials and supervising school construction; discussing with elders about strategies for accomplishing an activity; and accomplishing a variety of other tasks, we head out on our journey home – racing the sun and camels the entire way. Back at the office, we compile the day’s data, reports and prepare for the following day.

When working in the field, there’s not much notion of overtime – the work must get done. At times, my body will ache from the strenuous journey, or from a commonly acquired bacterial infection (many of the communities we work in are still learning about proper hygiene practices).

Living in Goz Beida has proved to be a significant change of lifestyle from the environment that I grew up and lived in (for example, it is nearly opposite from State College, Pennsylvania, where I attended college). It is difficult living miles away from my wife and family, many times taking me completely out of my comfort zone.

Yet, despite all the mentioned challenges, I don’t ever question that my job with World Concern is without a doubt worth it.

Working with the most vulnerable villages, many of which include conflict-related returnees, OVT has my full attention.

One of OVT’s main criteria is that the community be willing to participate in improving their life quality. Since the program operates by pairing donors with a village, there is a special trust established between a church, for example, and the selected community. This greatly benefits the way in which the project activities are carried out.

At the very beginning of the process, we hold a general meeting with all of the village members (men, women, youth, etc.). Here people are able to express and discuss all of their thoughts and needs. I love this event because everyone in the village is given an opportunity to freely share what is on their hearts and minds. This is a time of great learning and relationship-building.

It is amazing to see individuals (men and women) come together for the sake of positive transformation in their village.

After agreements are made between the community and World Concern, the practical work comes in to play. For example, if a community decides they would like a local school to be built, the men must make, bake, and transport their own bricks to the building site.

I’ve been very impressed by the courage and determination of the village men. I’ve witnessed the building of 25,000 bricks in only a couple of months! Their passionate labor has challenged me – it is a reminder that I have no excuse for slacking in many areas of my life.

To watch the fruition of World Concern and community partnerships develop has been a huge encouragement –25,000 bricks stacking to become a school that is now operating and teaching children to count and carry on basic conversations in their new learning language (French).

The product of OVT warms my heart. It is what fuels my drive to continue to live and work in Goz Beida.

I have also been inspired by World Concern’s donors who occasionally travel all the way to Chad to visit the villages. It is wonderful to see them appreciating the transformations (such as clean water pump installations, school establishments, improved farming practices and more…) that are continually taking place.

World Concern staff, donors, and Michael (far right) in Chad.

When I hear and witness the joy of our donors, it makes me look forward to doing more activities in the field. Their interactions with the community shows how close at heart they are despite the long distance that separates them. The fact that the donors and communities can call each other by name, laugh together, and share food is evidence that their relationship is real.

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned, it’s that development takes time and requires patience. Working in the field sometimes calls for extra-human energy, strong will, and great sacrifice.

Yet, at the end of the day, it is all about building relationships – and here lies the value. It’s through the community relationships that World Concern is able to move forward, hand-in-hand, with our beneficiaries.

I am proud to be part of the World Concern family. It has allowed me to participate in making a difference in someone’s life. It’s a truly humbling experience in one of the most challenging living environments.

For more photos, taken by Michael and World Concern staff, of our work in Chad, see below:

Six Months After Haiyan, Lives are Being Rebuilt

Rosario waves from inside the frame of her new home. Her former home was destroyed when Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Medair.

“We are now safe…” Rosario was overcome with emotion as she uttered those four simple words. The 62-year-old grandmother is raising a young grandson. Their home was destroyed when Typhoon Haiyan struck on November 8, 2013.

It was six months ago today that Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the Philippines—leaving more than 3 million people homeless and taking the lives of 7,300. In the months since this tragedy, World Concern and our Integral Alliance partners have been helping people like Rosario rebuild their lives. There is much work left to do, but seeing the hope on faces like Rosario’s and her grandson’s is encouraging.

With help from donors who gave selflessly after the typhoon, Rosario and her 8-year-old grandson have a home of their very own once again. “I can continue on now… and be safe in a strong shelter,” she says.

World Concern and our partners Medair and Food for the Hungry have been able to make a great impact in the Philippines. Immediately after the tragedy, our donors helped provide food, water, emergency supplies, and psychosocial support for traumatized children.

More recently, we’re focusing on providing shelter and housing—like Rosario’s home, which was being built in March when these photos were taken. Rosario says her grandson is “very proud and happy” to have such a strong shelter to live in. “He feels special and noticed,” she tells us.

A family in the Philippines outside their newly constructed home. Photo by Miguel Samper, courtesy of Medair.

Rosario and others in her community also received disaster risk reduction training, so that when the next storm hits, they’ll be prepared and know how to stay safe. It may take years to rebuild in the Philippines, but organizations, churches, and communities are committed to building back better.

“It is hard to express in words, but I am very thankful,” Rosario says. “We now have new hope and the courage to move on.”

Real transformation comes from within

There was no complaining or pleading for more help at the goodbye ceremony in the village. Only a sense of empowerment and hope for the future. It was a true celebration. This village was ready to stand on its own.

The tiny community of 40 families in rural Mon State, Myanmar, was “graduating” after seven years of development. Things look very different here than they did seven years ago, but maybe not in the way you’d expect.

There’s are several protected wells that supply clean water, and an absence of human waste on the ground – things you’d hope to notice after an NGO had been working there. The fields surrounding the village are producing abundant rice, and crops are thriving. Families are earning income, and children are healthy. But in terms of traditional rural village life, it is lived much like it has been for decades, maybe centuries.

Why? Because these changes came from within. All credit goes to the village development committee, made up of residents and community leaders, not World Concern.

Instead of dependence on our organization, the residents see our staff (who live and work amidst a cluster of local villages) as true partners. Relationships are built on mutual respect and empowerment, not a provider-beneficiary model. We are a catalyst to change, but not the change-maker. People taking responsibility for and pride in their community produces change.

Poverty is messy. The absence of trash and human waste is one indication people here care about their environment. But the real difference is seen in the confidence on people’s faces. They know they can continue moving forward on their own. This village is ready to say goodbye to World Concern – and this is our goal. We want to work ourselves out of a job.

What’s the biggest difference in the village? According to one grandma who has lived her all her life, “Our babies aren’t dying anymore.”

All the training, supporting, educating, and encouraging for seven years comes down to this: children are surviving. That’s transformation.

There’s a lot of talk about sustainable community development. Other than occasional follow-up visits from a development officer, how do we know this method is sustainable? Here’s a great example.

Recently, one of our staff members visited an IDP camp in another region of Myanmar. Hundreds of families had fled their villages when the fighting came too close and threatened their lives. The staff member noticed that the families in the camp were well organized. They had taken their horrible circumstances (not enough food, no water or sanitation, and cramped quarters) and made a plan. They were working together to solve problems and meet needs.

“Where did you learn how to do this?” the staff member asked a man who appeared to lead the resident committee. “World Concern taught us when they worked in our village,” he replied.

These displaced families were able to replicate and use their skills in a camp when life took an unexpected turn and they were forced from their homes. And when they resettle back home, or in a new village, they’ll be able to do it again. That’s sustainable change.

To learn more about transforming villages like this one, visit worldconcern.org/onevillage

Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction Saves Lives

My dad used to always say, “It’s better to build a guardrail on a curve than a hospital at the bottom of the hill.” As an adult, I’ve come to understand that wisdom of his words. We all want to rescue someone after they’re hurt. But isn’t it better to protect them from harm in the first place?

Today, as the president of World Concern, I have an opportunity to put my dad’s wisdom into practice. Our focus is on disaster risk reduction: equipping vulnerable communities for a disaster before it happens, and taking practical steps to minimize its destructive impact.

We work to provide infrastructure within and around a community to protect its residents from disaster. This is far better than repeatedly helping them rebuild… and grieving with families who have lost loved ones in a devastating earthquake or hurricane.

Mercila no longer fears disaster in her village along Haiti's northern coast. She is helping her community prepare for future disasters. — Mercila no longer fears disaster in her village along Haiti’s northern coast. She is helping her community prepare for future disasters.

Mercila’s story is a great example of how communities can protect themselves.

“When there is flooding, the houses fill with water and people lose many things. When there is a hurricane… houses are destroyed,” said Mercila, a young mom who lives in Haiti. Hurricane season comes every year, and her village’s precarious location along Haiti’s northern coast leaves the entire community vulnerable to frequent natural disasters.

Her one-year-old son’s safety weighs heavily on her mind. “My dream for my son is to let him grow up in Anse-á-Foleur where disaster will not impact our town again.”

Mercila's village of Anse-a-Foleur has a new storm shelter where families can go to stay safe when the next hurricane comes. — Mercila’s village has a new storm shelter where families can stay safe during a hurricane.

World Concern is taking action to keep everyone in Anse-á-Foleur safe. We’ve trained Mercila as an emergency responder for her village. Now, she is teaching her entire community, passing along all the disaster preparedness training she’s received.

The community was equipped to establish an early warning system to alert villagers of coming danger, and built rock walls along the river to prevent flooding. They also constructed a storm shelter, so families will have a safe place to go when a hurricane is near.

“Because of the activities of World Concern, Anse-á-Foleur has become a new town,” Mercila proclaimed. “We are not afraid about anything.”

Mercila no longer fears disaster,

but many others in vulnerable communities are living in the path of destruction. Families in Bangladesh, for example, know that the month of May brings another cyclone season… and certain destruction. Together, we can help them prepare and survive.

Kanomrani's family lives in a coastal village in Bangladesh that is in the direct path of cyclones. You can help protect a family like hers from the storms ahead. — Kanomrani’s family lives in a coastal village in Bangladesh that is in the direct path of cyclones. You can help protect a family like hers from the storms ahead.

World Concern will always be there for those who are suffering after disaster. But it’s a wise and critical investment to protect vulnerable moms, dads, and little ones from future disasters.

You can help protect them. Give online at www.worldconcern.org/savelives

Free Them 5k Fundraiser’s Tool Kit

If you’re signed up for the Free Them 5k, thank you! Thank you for being an advocate for those who are at risk for or caught up in the clutches of human trafficking. You’re making a huge difference by participating. Whether you run, walk, fundraise – or all three – you’re doing something amazing.

Remember, every $40 you raise helps protect one vulnerable child or woman from becoming a victim of exploitation and abuse.

Here's me after last year's Free Them 5k, with my husband, my daughter, and her friend. I used this photo on my fundraising page this year to personalize it. — Here’s me after last year’s Free Them 5k, with my husband, my daughter, and her friend. I used this photo on my fundraising page this year to personalize it.

Every year, I’m amazed by the generosity of my friends. I’ve been surprised at how many people have donated to my fundraising page. Within a few days of sharing it, I was almost at my goal!

Fundraising is easier than you’d think, and you might be surprised who will donate to your page, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Here are some tools to make it easier:

Email or personal contact works best. A series of three emails has been shown to be most effective, so over the next few weeks, consider sending several emails to each person who hasn’t yet donated. People appreciate the reminder! Here are some sample emails you could copy, personalize, and use:

Email #1

Dear Sarah,

Worldwide, 29 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery. Innocent children and adults are forced into labor, prostitution, and worse. Human trafficking is a major crime in Southeast Asia, where poverty and high demand make people vulnerable.

This breaks my heart, and that’s why I’m participating in World Concern’s Free Them 5k on May 10. I’m writing today to ask if you would support me in taking a stand to stop human trafficking by making a donation to my fundraising page. (* Copy and paste the link to your personal fundraising page here)

Every $40 that’s donated helps World Concern protect one child or woman from being trafficked. But a donation of any amount helps!

Thank you for your support! It will be a huge encouragement to me as I run on May 10 for this great cause!

P.S. Here’s the link to my fundraising page: (* Copy and paste the link to your personal fundraising page again here)

Email #2

Dear Sarah,

On May 10 I’ll be participating in World Concern’s Free Them 5k to help stop human trafficking. I wanted to remind you that if you haven’t had a chance to donate to my personal fundraising page, now is the time! The event is coming up quickly, and with your support, I’m striving to make the biggest impact possible by raising funds for this great cause.

Here’s the link to my donation page: (* Copy and paste the link to your personal fundraising page here)

Thank you for your support!

Email #3

Dear Sarah,

The Free Them 5k to help stop human trafficking is just a few days away! I’ve been preparing for this event for weeks, and I’m so excited to make a difference in the lives of those at risk for becoming victims of trafficking.

Would you help me further this important cause by making a donation to my personal fundraising page today? There’s only a few days before the event, so if you wanted to help, now is the time!

Thank you for helping me make an even bigger impact and help others!

2. Share through social media.

Facebook: Copy and paste the link to your personal fundraising page into the status window on Facebook, then write a few words about why you’re doing this and ask friends to click and donate to your page. (Here’s an example of mine below)

Twitter: Tweet the link to your fundraising page with a comment or question to get people to click on it. For example, “Want to help stop #humantrafficking? Make a donation to my #FreeThem5k fundraising page! (* Copy and paste the link to your personal fundraising page here. Twitter will automatically shorten the link.)”

3. Don’t forget to ask for support in person. You never know who might be willing to donate! Your boss, grocery clerk, or neighbor will be grateful for the opportunity to do something to help.

Thank you for being an advocate and standing up for those who don’t have a voice. You’re doing a great thing!

Happy fundraising!

World Concern disaster response expert doubles as Red Cross volunteer for Oso landslide

On March 22, 30 seconds altered the lives of residents of Oso forever. That night, I received an urgent email from the American Red Cross chapter of Snohomish County. They needed volunteers to staff the evacuation shelter which they were providing for families affected by the slide. While I couldn’t help during the day, I was able to volunteer for the night shift, providing support in the shelter from 8 pm to 8 am.

Chris Sheach uses his disaster experience with World Concern in places like Haiti, and closer to home as a Red Cross volunteer. He recently served at a Red Cross shelter for victims of the tragic Oso landslide.

Driving up to Arlington, passing very familiar landmarks, it was a bit discomforting to see the elementary school with Red Cross signs posted on it, and to see people who last week may have stood behind me in the grocery store checkout were now sleeping on a cot with only the clothes on their back, waiting anxiously to hear word of their missing loved ones. It’s a very different thing to respond so close to home, but wearing a Red Cross vest, I was instantly recognized as someone trustworthy, and there to help. During a time when many families were beset by national and international media, they were very grateful for the safe place we offered, the hot food, showers and listening ear.

I’ve been a volunteer for a year and am now a certified Red Cross disaster instructor. In some ways it’s a natural fit, since my role at World Concern means I respond to disasters like the Haiti earthquake, and am familiar with these kinds of crises. I do this work because I have a heart for those whose lives have been devastated by disaster. Now, as a registered Disaster Team Specialist, as well as a member of my Community Emergency Response Team, I know that I will be able to fulfill my calling at home, and not just overseas.

Mary’s Story: “My heart is beating in fear…”

Nine months pregnant and carrying her 2-year-old in her arms, Mary ran from her home in Unity State, South Sudan, where widespread violence has killed and injured thousands of people since December.

Mary holds the hand of her toddler as she walks toward the makeshift camp they now call home.

“Both of my neighbors were killed when we were running. My uncle was also killed,” said Mary. “When we were fleeing, my husband’s brother was shot. So my husband carried him to hospital. They are now in another IDP camp. There is also a woman I know who has lost her son. When we were being collected in the truck, the boy was left behind…”

Driving up a long, dusty dirt road, haphazardly created structures line the road as far as the eye can see. This is Mary’s temporary “home,” a camp for families displaced by the violence in South Sudan. Tents made of the only available materials – sticks, women’s clothing, old plastic bags, sheets, and pieces of canvas are scattered everywhere. Some people sleep under branches, without any covering at all.

Mary fled violence in her home town in South Sudan. Three days after arriving in a camp, she gave birth to her son Amel.

Mary arrived at the camp just three days before giving birth to her second son. She named him Amel. She delivered Amel outdoors, with no help.

Can you imagine?

“At the time I delivered I was alone. I was feeling bad. My body was in pain and it was not well,” she said. Fortunately, someone felt compassion for her and allowed her to take shelter in a school building nearby.

Like thousands of others who fled for their lives, Mary doesn’t have food or even a pot to cook food, if she had any. She was given some beans and flour, but sold some for oil and salt to cook with. “We fear now that if we eat twice a day the food will be gone and we don’t know when we’ll get more,” she said.

Tiny Amel was born homeless. Now, he's sick. His family has no place to go after fleeing their home in South Sudan. — Tiny Amel was born homeless. Now, he’s sick. His family has no place to go after fleeing their home.

And they’re sick. Amel has diarrhea – very dangerous for a newborn. Mary has stomach pains whenever she eats, too.

The rains have arrived early in South Sudan … not good news for families like Mary’s who are living in makeshift tents. Flooding and poor sanitation make diarrhea and sickness an even greater threat.

World Concern is responding in this area, providing shelter materials, emergency supplies, and food to displaced families. We’re also providing long-term support, so families like Mary’s can resettle, earn income, and begin to rebuild their lives. Click here to help.

“My heart is beating in fear for two reasons,” said Mary. “One, I don’t have a house. I just sleep in the open or in the school. Secondly, I don’t have my husband. Sometimes I spend many days without good food because we have no income.”

You and I can’t change the political situation in South Sudan, but we can do something to help

Mary and other moms whose “hearts are beating in fear” tonight.

Donate to help families in South Sudan survive this crisis.