This is the story of Valencia Watson, a 57-year-old resident of Chaombwa Village, Traditional Authority Kabudula in Lilongwe, Malawi. On 26th April, 2024, she visited a Rotary Family Health Days site at Mbavi Health Centre, hoping for a solution to a problem that had plagued her for 20 years.

Valencia had been hearing a constant, loud noise in her left ear, like the sound of a maize milling machine, and her right ear was completely deaf. Living with this condition since 2004 had been isolating and frustrating.

At the camp, she presented her case to the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Department. The audiologist discovered that Valencia's hearing loss was due to a buildup of wax in both ears. In just ten minutes, the ENT team treated her, and she could hear clearly again for the first time in two decades.

Overwhelmed with joy and relief, Valencia grabbed the public address system at the camp to share her story with everyone present. She spoke to a reporter about the many people in her village who also suffer from similar ear problems. When she returned home around 12:30 pm, the clinic saw an influx of people with ear issues, inspired by her experience.

Valencia's story is a powerful example of how Rotary Family Health Days are changing lives. These camps bring essential medical services to communities, addressing needs that often go unmet. For Valencia, this initiative not only restored her hearing but also reconnected her with her community and improved her quality of life.

Her experience highlights the critical importance of accessible healthcare and the profound impact it can have on individuals and their communities. Rotary Family Health Days continue to make a difference, one patient at a time, proving that when healthcare services are brought closer to people, the benefits are immediate and far-reaching.

Learn more about RFHD's impact and how you can get involved.