Fletcher is a 54-year-old agricultural farmer from a small rural community in the district of Mzimba in Malawi. Fletcher has been working the land for most of his life, following in his family’s footsteps. After completing secondary school, he had hoped to pursue a different path, but financial struggles and limited opportunities kept him in the family trade. Farming became not just his livelihood but his way of life. His days are filled with the rhythms of planting, harvesting, and tending to his crops. When he’s not working, he enjoys the simple pleasure of listening to the radio and catching up on news and music. His son, Matthews, is his closest companion, and their chats over tea are some of his most treasured moments.
In July 2024, Fletcher started experiencing acute urinary retention. Worried, his family took him to a community hospital for treatment and he was catheterized. In October 2024, he went to our partner hospital’s medical center, Nkhoma Hospital, after being referred by an employee of the facility. At the hospital, Fletcher underwent a voiding test, but unfortunately, he was unable to pass the test. His condition didn’t improve, and he was advised that he might need surgery. Since then, Fletcher has been living with a catheter, unable to relieve himself naturally. The daily struggle has taken a toll on him, both physically and emotionally. His family is doing their best to support him, but the situation has become overwhelming. The family has already spent what little they had on transportation and initial treatment costs, traveling long distances to get to the hospital. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Physicians at Nkhoma Hospital determined that Fletcher should undergo a prostatectomy. A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on November 21st and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Fletcher’s quality of life.
Fletcher says, “After this treatment, I just want to return to my farm, to work the land like I used to. I want to be healthy again, so I can care for my crops and be there for my family. It’s been hard, but I’m hopeful that with help, I can get back to living my life.”

