ARV Supply & Medical Support at Risk

We want to share a critical update with you regarding the recent executive order that halted U.S. foreign development assistance funding. While Cherish does not receive direct financial support from USAID, we rely on PEPFAR-funded programs to provide essential medical supplies—including Antiretroviral (ARV) medication—for our clients.

Here’s Where Things Stand:

PEPFAR funding has stopped. Every one of our medical partners has halted their supply distributions.

We are sourcing ARVs, but we don’t know for how long.Thanks to a connection, we’ve been able to receive some medication, but we have no confirmation of where the supply is coming from or if it will be consistent.

This is a life-or-death situation. PEPFAR supports over 1.3 million people on ART in Uganda and more than 20 million across Africa. Without these medications, viral loads will increase, putting our clients at severe risk.

It’s not as simple as buying more. The cost of ARVs without external funding is several thousand dollars per patient per month—an impossible burden.

It’s not just ARVs. PEPFAR funding also provided a wide range of essential medical supplies, including mosquito nets, plastic baggies for medication, gloves, and lab supplies. We are no longer receiving these items and must now fund them ourselves.

What can you do?

The first and most powerful thing we ask is prayer—for wisdom, provision, and a breakthrough in this situation. We trust in a God who does not shy away from big challenges, and we believe He will make a way.

If you feel led, you can also help us cover the cost of medical supplies that we now have to fund on our own.

We are fighting in every way possible to ensure that those we serve continue receiving the care they need. Thank you for standing with us in faith and action.

With gratitude,
Brent & Leah Phillips