08/12/2025
APPEAL TO POLITICIANS: I DON’T NEED A CASKET FOR MY DAD — I NEED HIS LIFE
My name is Mara Moyo from Livingstone. I have been a registered nurse since 2015 when I was just 22 years old. I am now 32. I have never been formally employed because my only work for the past years has been to serve as my father’s caregiver, nurse and sky es**rt nurse — working in one ward with one patient, my dad, Joseph Moyo.
BACKGROUND
My dad has been sick for over 13 years, surviving only through phrenic nerve anaesthetic block procedures done in the USA, which offered only short-term relief — ranging from days to at most a week — for his intractable hiccups, first diagnosed at Livingstone General Hospital in 2011.
Along the way, he has developed many other medical conditions.
My dad cannot eat, cannot sleep, cannot drink water. He struggles to speak, is weak, frail, and in chronic exhaustion. He is now lying at home on his deathbed.
The only drug given to him in Zambia over the years was chlorpromazine, which he can no longer take. After many years of use without proper monitoring, it caused him to develop tardive dyskinesia. This matter is now in court, handled by his lawyers.
HIS URGENT NEED
My dad now needs a long-term medical procedure at Mayo Clinic, funded through the goodwill of Americans.
What he urgently needs are airfares for a stretcher bed, outpatient accommodation, and upkeep for both him and me as his caregiver and sky nurse es**rt.
APPEAL
I appeal to all politicians to help my dad raise USD 17,000+ for his medical travel and life-saving procedures at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
These procedures were scheduled to begin 25 November, but they have been delayed because of lack of funds, while his condition continues to deteriorate.
My dad has missed several scheduled appointments at Mayo Clinic because he had no funds after losses from previous failed travels due to his medical condition and discounted non-refundable flight fares.
His latest missed appointment was scheduled from 25 November 2025 to 4 December 2025 for initial procedures before the main procedures later. It was missed purely for financial reasons.
POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM
When a popular musician passed away early last year, many Zambian politicians fought to buy an expensive casket and to sit in the front row at the funeral. This is not the only case.
I have seen politicians donate money to weddings of prominent people. I am not asking for a wedding or honeymoon. I am asking for my dad’s life.
I am not appealing for a coffin to bury my dad.
I am appealing for funds to save his life.
I have seen politicians travel the length and breadth of this country donating money to churches, but fail to donate to save lives.
I have seen politicians attend church fundraisers to build churches, but fail to help the vulnerable in their own communities.
I have seen politicians donating food and coffins to funerals of the vulnerable, but doing nothing for them when they were alive.
I have seen politicians paying huge sums of money to enter intraparty presidential races to serve the Zambian people, but fail to donate anything to the very Zambians they claim to serve when they are in need.
MY DAD’S HISTORY
My dad travelled to the USA many times at his own cost for years without any public appeals — until all his resources were depleted.
He also suffered losses from non-refundable discounted airfares when he could not fly due to his health.
My dad’s pain, suffering and struggles have been on media houses for many years, crying out for help to no avail.
MY DAD HAS SAVED THIS COUNTRY THROUGH HIS CHARITABLE CAUSES.
TODAY HE NEEDS SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, TO SAVE HIS LIFE.
Despite having access to millions of dollars in the past, he never served himself or his family, but gave everything to help the vulnerable.
He was a poor man who served the poor with distinction, without abusing what was meant for them.
A CRITICAL MOMENT
On 25 November, the very day he was supposed to be in the USA, when he realised he had missed the appointment, he almost ended his life — had it not been for quick action by journalists who became the heroes of that day.
It was because he felt hopeless and helpless.
I am not seeking an expensive casket for my dad.
I am seeking to save his life.
MY SACRIFICE
I sacrificed my youth from the age of 22, when I graduated in 2015 as the best student in medicine and overall best in theory, to be there for my dad as his caregiver, nurse and sky es**rt nurse.
I renew my practicing licence every year for one patient, in one ward — my dad.
I will not give up the fight for my beloved father until he is healed or takes his last breath.
If I will never be married, never work, and never have children — if my dad lives on — that will be my greatest achievement on planet Earth.
THANK YOU
We thank:
Four Seventh Day Adventist Church singing groups who raised K30,000 on 22 November at University of Zambia Chapel
Chellah Tukuku for his fervent efforts
Mr Frazar Ngosa in the UK for supporting the GoFundMe efforts
Ordinary Zambians sending as little as K5 — God bless them
HELP SAVE MY DAD
We are now expected to be travelling to Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota by 19th December, 2025. This will only be possible with the good will of ordinary Zambians led by politicians and other global citizens
I appeal to all politicians and all well-meaning Zambians to help save my dad’s life through your contributions.
Donation Details
Airtel (Local Donations Only):
0773686685
MTN (Local & Global Remittance):
+260763942546
Bank Account:
Account Number: 5182433200190
Bank: Zanaco
Branch: Livingstone
Email contact: maramoyo1993@gmail.com
