If you are a church or religious organisation who would like to share more stories and images about the work of MAF, then in this section you can find ready-written material, prepared by the MAF UK News team, for you to download and use.
Out of the ashes of World War II came a new movement, which sought to use aviation as a force for good instead of destruction. Inspired by their Christian faith, MAF's founders decided to use their flying and engineering skills to deliver help, hope and healing to the world's most isolated people. 80 years later, their legacy lives on...
For over 75 years MAF has been bringing help, hope and healing to the remote communities of the world. Pilots, engineers, managers, IT technicians, teachers, administrators and many other professionals have come together to bring transformation to remote communities.
Come us find us at various events around the UK this year. We'd love to meet you and tell you more about the amazing opportunities to train and work with us.
We are seeking to enable aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers to join MAF and work overseas. If you’re successful, we will help you achieve the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to obtain an EASA B1 or B2 licence. You will then go on to serve with MAF in various programmes across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
Have you got what it takes? If you’re successful, we will help you achieve the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to obtain a Commercial Pilots Licence and a Command Instrument Rating. You will then go on to serve in an MAF programme in either the Africa or Asia-Pacific region.
At the heart of all we do is a desire to see isolated people changed by the love of Christ. Become an MAF Prayer Partner and be a vital part of our team. Partner with us in prayer today!
Our quarterly Prayer Diary includes daily prayer needs, photos and themed scriptures to equip you in intercession. As an extra bonus, the Prayer Diary comes with our Flying for Life Magazine - full of up to date stories from the countries in which we serve.
A fantastic prayer resource that enables you to share the wider missional needs with your communities, inspiring and equipping them to take their stand and pray.
At MAF we believe in the power of prayer. In fact, our prayers can go places that even our planes can’t. This prayer calendar enables our supporters to commit to praying for MAF and those we serve, from the comfort of their own homes. Book a prayer slot now.
Hannah contracted malaria in April 2019 whist living in Monrovia with her husband Andrew – former MAF Liberia pilot. Despite taking all the advised antimalarial medication, she suffered an acute form of the disease. Four years on, Hannah still experiences side-effects, and her life has never been the same.
Now living in Aberdeen and practicing podiatry for the NHS, she recalls her long road to recovery and how the disease may impact her life forever.
Hannah, Andrew and their three children lived in Chad and Liberia where Andrew was an MAF pilot for nine years. Credit: LuAnne Cadd
‘My name is Hannah, and I am a podiatrist, mum of three and a malaria survivor.
Andrew, my husband, is a pilot and we joined MAF in 2012 compelled by our strong Christian faith and desire to serve isolated communities. Our first assignment was in Chad – one of the MAF’s hottest programmes, and then Liberia – one of the wettest.
We moved back to Aberdeen in April 2021 after nine years with many incredible experiences and fond memories of our children growing up in Africa. Being part of MAF’s mission to reach inaccessible places using aviation was a privilege.
Andrew is now a captain with the Scottish Air Ambulance. I have returned to practice in podiatry for the NHS, and our kids are settled in schools in Aberdeen. We are very blessed to be part of Gilcomston Church, which has been a wonderful support to help us re-adjust to life in Scotland and has supported us faithfully throughout our time living overseas with MAF.
My malaria journey began in April 2019. I woke up feeling achy one Monday morning, but I ignored what I thought was the regular tiredness of a busy mum. On Tuesday, I put off my weekly food shop. On Wednesday, determined, I arrived at the supermarket feeling nauseous and dizzy.
My driver Moses warned me in the car that I had malaria. “Of course not,” I joked, “I’m just under the weather.”
Moses caught me as I collapsed in the supermarket. I barely remember the journey home, but I could hear him beeping the horn to push through the busy traffic. He wanted to take me straight to hospital, but I still refused to believe it was malaria.
I spent the next week on the sofa or in bed. Moses faithfully did the school runs and returned one day to me having dropped and smashed a drinking glass. I was unconscious.’
‘With Andrew flying that day, a neighbour sped me to a hospitalon our compound in Monrovia, where I stayed overnight. I was confused, weak and don’t remember much. No one could hear if I called for help, but the nurses were working their absolute hardest. Mice were running in the corridors. Someone died that night. I remember hearing them wailing and crying.
I started five days of intravenous antimalarials to treat an aggressive strain of the infection. I was one of the lucky ones. Every two minutes a child dies of malaria somewhere in the world – many of them in places were MAF carries out humanitarian work. It’s really humbling that I’m here to tell my story. So many people were praying for me.
Ten days after my treatment, tests showed no traces of malaria in my body. I’ve known lots of people who bounce back quickly once the infection is gone. But that wasn’t my experience at all.
Hannah didn’t know that hundreds of malaria survivors suffer side-effects for the rest of their lives. Credit: Andrew Mumford
‘Three weeks later, I still couldn’t walk around the house. After a month, I could barely make it to the front gate. If I managed to wave my kids off to school, I would spend the rest of the day on the sofa. I nibbled crackers, and our amazing community cooked meals for the family. It was a difficult and painful time but we were very well supported.
I remember days of just listening to the waves on the sea – all I could do was pray. I had no idea malaria could have this kind of effect. But I’ve since found out that hundreds of malaria survivors never return to full health. Some struggle physically, some psychologically. Others emotionally.
But the scars carried by survivors like me still don’t compare to the unimaginable loss of life for those unable to access treatment.’
‘I could live with the side-effects of malaria for the rest of my life. I am one of the fortunate ones who made it to hospital. A child dies every two minutes to malaria across the world – I won’t forget those less fortunate than me.’
Hannah Mumford – malaria survivor
‘Often, I did feel very frustrated, and it took me a while to talk about my malaria journey. Two years on, I was a different, weaker version of myself. I often had ‘episodes’, where my brain couldn’t tell my legs to move. I remember having to sit in my front garden for hours until the sporadic attacks passed, and I could move again.
There have been other long-term impacts on our daily life – simple tasks like going shopping were a nightmare for years. My brain couldn’t sporadically think about what to have for dinner, and sometimes I had to say ‘no’ to things like making pizza from scratch.’
The Mumford family visited a remote village while living in Liberia between 2018 and 2021. Credit: photograph provided by family.
‘If I am honest, even 15 months ago, I wouldn’t have comprehended going back to work. There are still days when I stay in and miss family outings if I know my legs and energy levels won’t cope. I find these moments incredibly frustrating, sad, and demoralising. The kids sometimes beg me to come, but I know that physically I just can’t manage. I guess we have learned to accept this is our way of life. I pace myself, and Andrew steps in often going above and beyond to keep our busy family ticking over.
Aside from the physical side-effects, I often experience brain fog. I sometimes feel overwhelmed making plans or being in large social gatherings. Rest is a key component to my week which must be factored in every day – even just 30 minutes of sitting down. It’s rather extraordinary that I am now able to work two days a week, and I absolutely love it. I’m so grateful to have come this far in my recovery. I know I am very blessed to have accessed treatment at the critical moment.
Perhaps I will live with the side-effects of malaria for the rest of my life, but I find it so sad that some people risk not taking antimalarials when they travel. This disease kills more than 600,000 people every year – I am one of the fortunate ones who made it to hospital.
I will never forget the strength God gave me in those darkest times, but equally, I won’t forget those who are less fortunate than me.’
Malaria is the biggest killer in Liberiaaccording to the World Health Organisation. WHO country representative in Liberia Dr Peter Celement says, ‘Malaria continues to challenge us, and remains the main cause of illness and death in our communities. We must combat malaria with relevant tools that are evidence-based that will trigger a paradigm shift in malaria interventions. The outcome of this survey will unearth innovative tools for malaria control and elimination in Liberia.’
In May 2022, USAID said that the number of malaria cases in Liberia reached over 900,000 and that this disease was the leading cause of infant mortality.
In October 2022, Liberian health authorities launched a nationwide malaria survey aimed at tracking the country’s progress in the fight against malaria. This household survey will be essential in gathering information about malaria prevalence and interventions such as ownership of mosquito nets and treatment for pregnant women and children aged between six months and five years.
Last December, MAF flew equipment to Zwedru in eastern Liberia for VectorLink – funded by USAID – enabling them to carry out scientific research into mosquitoes.
MAF flies medical supplies to Liberian hospitals such as this one in Harper (below). Dr Sterman Toissant says: ‘We believe that health is a human right. Roads are very bad, but with MAF, we can carry medications in an emergency.’ Credit: Paula Alderblad