At SOS, we are committed to making a sustainable change in the communities that we serve. This takes extra focus in our international work. We want to be sure that our shipments are addressing all of the health needs in the community and this has led to partnerships with other NGOs so that water resources, medications and food can be added to the shipment leaving SOS if needed. Sometimes shipments from SOS are needed to get a clinic or hospital open and running and from there the medical staff can resupply consumables within country. Other times, particularly in rural regions, SOS needs to make a long-term commitment to resupply the medical facilities to give the region time to experience the economic change that comes with improved health.
SOS has a long-term relationship with Kasupe Ministries in Malawi, founded by Dr. Fletcher Padoko to “help orphans, widows, caregivers, and other vulnerable people in order to meet their spiritual, physical and social needs so they can lead productive lives”. Dr. Padoko works in southern Malawi which was hit hard by the AIDS epidemic, leaving many children orphaned.
Our first shipment to Kasupe Ministries in Malawi was a disaster relief shipment to help thousands of individuals impacted by Cyclone Idai. The shipment included food and water resources in addition to first aid items. The second shipment arrived just as they were experiencing COVID cases last year and the masks, gowns and gloves were critical to protecting healthcare workers across seven medical facilities. In October 2021, a third shipment left SOS which holds critically needed medical equipment and medical supplies to provide medical care to the residents across this rural region who are still trying to get back on their feet after the cyclone of 2019. Fletcher Padoko, founder of Kasupe Ministries, said “Thank you SOS for your ministry which is blessing many every day around the world”.
