In the depths of Madagascar’s rainforest, a joint mission by MAF, SALFA and Real Mission Movement brought help, hope and healing to women with obstetric fistula.
Story by Gino Antsatiana Randrianasolo
Zafiarivola Julienne comes from a small village near Marolambo, a remote community in Madagascar’s eastern rainforest.
“I had to walk for a day and sleep on the way to get here,” she said.
For nearly two decades, Julienne lived with the pain and shame of an untreated obstetric fistula, a condition that often leaves women physically and socially isolated. She had visited doctors multiple times before, hoping for relief.
I had to walk for a day and sleep on the way to get here
“I had been treated three times, but nothing changed,” said Julienne. “This time, I’m thankful to SALFA. They took good care of us, and I am satisfied.”
SALFA, or Sampan'Asa Loterana Momba ny Fahasalamana, is the health department of the Malagasy Lutheran Church.
Julienne made the difficult journey on foot to meet the SALFA medical team, who were flown in by MAF for a special fistula surgery campaign. For her, and the many other women, this was a rare cost-free opportunity.
With no proper roads and frequent rainfall for much of the year, reaching Marolambo from the nation’s capital Antananarivo can take over two days by car—but with MAF, the journey takes just 40 minutes by air. Thanks to MAF’s purpose-built airstrip – and its regular shuttle service – the isolated people of the Maralambo area can be connected.
In partnership with MAF, a joint “Medical Safari” was launched, bringing together doctors from SALFA and evangelists from the Real Mission Movement.
“We are thankful that MAF provides us with a flight to do the mission here once a year,” said Dr Rabemanantsoa Didy Nilsen from SALFA. Dozens of women received life-changing surgeries during the campaign, restoring both their health and dignity.
But the mission didn’t stop there. Alongside the medical team, a group of evangelists who joined the flight walked deep into nearby villages to share the hope of the Gospel. Some communities could only be reached after hours of trekking through steep and muddy forest paths.
Though surrounded by lush landscape, life in this area is challenging. Food and goods are expensive, and access to healthcare is extremely limited.
“People live in very difficult conditions,” said Mahandrisoa Jemima Sambatriniaina from Real Mission Movement. “But they are listening, and many are open to hearing the message of Christ. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
People live in very difficult conditions
“It is not the first time we come to Marolambo, it is very hard to reach so most missions here we do with MAF, and we are thankful to them for providing us a flight.”
The team made every effort to reach as many nearby villages as possible during the few days of the mission.
And for Julienne, this time her long journey ended in healing.
For her, it was more than a surgery. It was dignity restored – and a testimony that MAF flights continue to bring help, hope and healing, where few dare to go.