South Africa: “You are the sun and the moon to me”
Sihle had lost all hope for his life. He had separated from his wife, and their three children live with her, far from Embo. After their separation, he had contracted a chronic disease, and the condition had left him so unwell he had been forced to leave his job. His life seemed to have fallen apart.
He had been treated by a local witch doctor, but his condition had only become worse. He was close to death when he decided to ask one of his neighbours, who is one of the Embo Clinic’s neighbourhood volunteers, to bring Pastor Leonard to see him.
Pastor Leonard found Sihle in a very weak and frail condition. Pastor Leonard’s church runs the Embo Clinic, and although Sihle doesn’t live far away, he was in such a bad condition, he couldn’t have walked. So Pastor Leonard organised for the clinic’s driver to bring Sihle to the clinic, and for Annastasia to accompany Sihle to help him.
After assessing Sihle, the nurse referred him for admission to a local centre for end-of-life care – the team didn’t think he would recover. Annastasia visited him every day, bringing him practical support such as food, as well as comfort, encouragement and prayer.
Then, incredibly, he started to get better! Sihle has been able to go home, and although he isn’t back to complete health, he can walk a short distance now. He is hoping that he may even be able to return to his job.
Annastasia has continued to visit him, bringing nutritious food parcels alongside encouragement and support as he continues to recover. The support she has given to him, especially at a time when he thought he might be facing his final days alone, has clearly made a huge difference. He told her, “You are the sun and the moon to me!”
In 2025, the Community Caregiver team at the Embo Clinic supported 344 vulnerable people struggling with illness like Sihle, thanks to the support and prayers of people like you.
This update was included in our latest annual review. You can read our annual review online here, and find more inspiring stories of how our partners are bringing health and hope to those facing their hardest times.
