What has happened and what is next.

Seeking More Answers for Sobha

I first met Sobha in 1999 and reconnected with her and her three sisters in 2024. Sobha has been ill for some time and recently received care through India's public health system. My liaison shared that Sobha, who is 47, has been diagnosed with serious liver problems and was told that nothing more can be done. I am not ready to give up on her. I want to seek additional medical opinions and explore what options may still be available. Because of Sobha's situation, along with other unfinished stories I have shared before, I am considering another trip to India soon.

A Prosthetics Adviser for the Future

We met with Orthotist/Prosthetist (OP) J.C. Martinez Salinas, a prosthetic specialist in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to discuss Sitis Christi's current operations and future direction. OP Martinez Salinas has led Orto Mart, an organization that creates and provides prosthetics for amputees for the past 30 years. He has expressed interest in serving as an expert adviser to Sitis Christi and has discussed possibly traveling to Sierra Leone to evaluate operations there. Because of his experience and Sitis Christi's growing focus on prosthetics, OP Martinez Salinas is a strong candidate for consideration as a future member of the Board of Directors.

Thank You to Hope Lutheran Church

A special thank-you goes to Pastor Eric Burgdorf for inviting me to speak at Hope Free Lutheran Church about the work of Sitis Christi. I enjoyed spending time with the Burgdorf family and meeting the members of Hope Church. The donations received from that visit helped cover transportation and lodging expenses for the prosthetic specialist in Sierra Leone during the recent measuring and fitting work.

Four Amputees Move Closer to Receiving Prosthetics

Earlier this year, our fundraiser raised enough to provide prosthetics for four amputees. This month, our contracted prosthetic specialist measured and fitted Maxwell, Masaray, Mary, and Koroma. Each will now receive an individual mold for a new limb. Their assessment forms confirm they have been measured and are officially in line to receive prosthetics.

A Sign of Partnership at Waterloo Amputee Shelter

Residents of the Waterloo Amputee Shelter recently painted the Sitis Christi logo on their building as a visible sign of our ongoing relationship. It is a simple reminder that this work is built on trust, friendship, and continued presence.

Wheelchair Delivery for Joseph

Sitis Christi donated for a wheelchair for 13-year-old Joseph, who could walk only short distances because of a growth condition. Joseph was surrounded by classmates and his parents who joined a celebration of presenting the wheelchair to Joseph.

Follow-up on Mina — Sad News

During the 2024 trip, I met Mina, a thirteen-year-old girl who spent 12 hours a day digging through garbage to earn money to help feed her family. When asked about her dream for the future, she said she wanted to become a police officer. Watching her story again recently was a reminder of how much potential she has, and how much one intervention could matter.

I reached out to my contact in Pondicherry asking him to find Mina again and explore what support might be possible. He returned with sad news: when he went back to the waste picker colony, he learned that Mina's father had recently died, and that Mina and her mother had moved to an unknown location. If we are able to locate Mina, we will share an update.

Follow-up on Sonia — Positive News

I asked my contacts in Pondicherry to visit the waste picker colony and share updates on people I met in 2024. They returned with some positive news.

In 2024, I met Sonia, a single mother who had been sleeping on the streets. She told me that a motorbike would change her life more than anything, giving her a way to travel from the shelter to the beach to sell her goods. Eighteen months later, Sonia still has her bike and uses it regularly to commute from the shelter to spots where she sells toys to tourists.

Prosthetic Requests — 4 Recipients Selected

Eighteen amputees have reached out requesting assistance with prosthetic legs. At this time, we have enough funds to provide prosthetics for four people. Choosing who will receive them first was difficult; we prioritized those who are primary providers for others and who would benefit most immediately. We'll continue working to raise support so we can help more people as soon as possible.

These amputees will soon be notified that they've been selected to receive prosthetic legs. Next, they'll be fitted for custom prosthetics and begin physical therapy. Please be patient for these individuals to go through the process.

March Donations + Food Support for the Shelter

Thanks to the donations received in March during the Pizza Ranch gathering, ten amputees living in a Sierra Leone shelter will receive food support for the next three months.

Old Friends at Pizza Ranch

A group of old friends from Le Sueur joined the first presentation at Pizza Ranch in Le Sueur, and it was genuinely good to see so many familiar faces again. Thank you to everyone who showed up, listened, and supported this work.