Community Health
Fatima lost her husband, Omar, three years ago. After the birth of her second child, she suffered from postpartum complications that left her with severe back pain and limited mobility. For 14 years, she struggled with chronic pain and depression, worsened by her reduced finances following Omar’s death. She lives in one of Albania’s poorest municipalities, where back pain after childbirth is seen as normal and often goes untreated.
In her community, a poor diet and lack of proper healthcare make these problems worse. Women rarely learn how to strengthen their core and back muscles, and social norms discourage them from talking about their pain. Fatima was led to believe that this pain was simply a fact of life.
Unbeknownst to her, a physical therapy clinic called Operation Mercy operated in the northside neighborhood—right next to the city’s busiest pathology lab. The clinic aimed to help those who were often overlooked. A physical therapist at the center challenged the idea that postpartum pain was inevitable by hosting discussions in Albanian and teaching simple exercises. Gradually, women began to open up and learn that their pain did not have to be permanent.
After hearing a recommendation from her cousin, Fatima visited the Hope & Health Centre. There, she received a warm welcome, a thorough check-up by experienced physiotherapists, a personalized exercise program, and medicinal massage. Like many others, Fatima experienced less pain and improved mobility. Grateful for the care, she blessed the staff, saying, “May God give you all good health!”
Now, Fatima is enjoying life again. She is even considering joining the STEP program to build confidence and learn new skills. Her journey reflects the core goals of the Hope & Health project: improved spinal health, increased mobility, and better overall well-being for local women.
A New Normal
Fatima lost her husband, Omar, three years ago. After the birth of her second child, she suffered from postpartum complications that left her with severe back pain and limited mobility.
Proper Nutrition For Children
Malnutrition continues to increase across Afghanistan. The United Nations now reports 3.2 million children in Afghanistan face acute malnutrition. We expect this to worsen over the winter as the bitter cold forces many families to divert part of their funds towards heating instead of food.
Learning and Teaching
… she will pass this information on as she cares for pregnant and lactating women.
Professional and Interpersonal Development
“The people here stood with me,” says Om Waleed*, recounting her young daughter’s need for surgery. “Even though my family is all the way in Syria,
Health is Everyone’s Responsibility
Health is everyone’s responsibility, and Bibi grew in her health knowledge and confidence through our training and put it into practice for the good of her community.
The Miracle of Life
Maftuna knew about the book through one of Operation Mercy’s community health trainers. She herself went through Operation Mercy’s general health and pregnancy lessons, as the trainers do not only work with the local women in the village but also the wives of Operation Mercy staff.
Midwives in the Mountains: Education and Coaching for Remote Villages
The three staff workers assigned each of the participants to a coach. They were then given materials and taught how to share what they had learned with others.
Building a solar water supply network
“Most of the families in this village lack access to clean drinking water, and it is extremely difficult for our women and children to get water from a distance.”
A Doula’s Impact
Mahabat had infused that young woman with encouragement and confidence that she could do it, and together they did!
Clean Drinking Water
In November 2023 Operation Mercy in Afghanistan started building a solar water supply network in a district in Kabul. We were joined at the opening ceremony by local officials and members of the community.
Heart Surgery Saves Grandfather
In our Operation Mercy Community Health clinics in Jordan, we screen patients who need diagnostic tests and specialist follow up.
Surgery For Sarah
The kidney surgery was life saving for Sarah! She is now an active and smiley 1 year old, adored by her older siblings.
Everyone Needs To Know They Are Not Invisible
The third wave of Covid brought a shaking up in the community in the capital of North Macedonia. One way our Operation Mercy team made a difference was by coming alongside the medical vaccination personnel in practical ways.
Access to Clean Water
The WASH project has taught us many valuable things, one of which being the necessity of having access to clean water, which can help us avoid many diseases.
WaSH Lessons Save Lives
In one of the villages in the outskirts of Kabul, where Operation Mercy has a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) program, men’s groups eagerly receive their lessons.
You have healed me with your exercises!
“When I come here all my worries go away.” Exercises and social support are making a difference in women’s lives.
Perseverance in Health
Two months later, Serah was improving from the malnutrition.
I Am Stronger
Now we eat vegetables at every meal, I am stronger, I can do my housework and take care of my children and a sick member of our family.
Refugee Health Response
In our Community Health Project in Jordan, we are seeing lives transformed through health screening and education. We work in partnership with local organizations, medical professionals,
Getting Close
Serving at Hope & Health has given our staff the opportunity to be make a difference in people´s lives in Skopje, in a way that can only happen over time.