'I now can walk on two feet’ – Kenyan children benefit from a free orthopaedic service.
MAF Pilot Chris Ball flew a medical team from CURE International for their final mission of the year, providing essential healthcare services to the remote villages of Bura and Kilifi.
The MAF flight is very important to us because we save a lot of time that we could use on road travel ensuring we reach the ground with ample time to carry on our work.
Being able to touch their ground through MAF has made it possible for CURE to change many kids’ and families’ lives by giving hope to them through surgeries done.
Dr Victor Omito, a prosthetic and orthopaedic technologist, emphasized the significance of MAF flights for the medical team, stating, “The MAF flight is very important to us because we save a lot of time that we could use on road travel ensuring we reach the ground with ample time to carry on our work. The flight is comfortable, and pilots are very experienced.”
Acadius Akungwi, the coordinator for CURE kids attending the mobile clinics, shared heartfelt sentiments from Henry Baraka, a young beneficiary of a prosthetic leg.
Henry expressed, “After a long time, I now can walk on two feet. My sister discovered the CURE mobile clinic and the idea of obtaining a prosthetic limb brought immense relief to our family.”
Kadzo, Henry’s eldest sister remarked, “This intervention was like a gift to us. My brother lacked confidence while using crutches, but with the prosthetic leg, he has been joyfully expressing his newfound confidence by punching the air!”
Grace Ochieng, the Admissions Officer at CURE present for the mobile clinic, expressed her gratitude, saying, “MAF flights have been a huge source of help for CURE with the mobile clinics in the North considering that these people have very limited resources for good healthcare. Being able to touch their ground through MAF has made it possible for CURE to change many kids’ and families’ lives by giving hope to them through surgeries done.”
She added, “As for CURE staff, it makes it easier to travel far in less hours and achieve so much in one day, providing an opportunity to spread and share the love of God alongside our spiritual team.”
These missions not only bring much-needed medical assistance to remote communities but also foster a sense of hope and resilience in the face of health challenges. The partnership between CURE International, MAF and Missions of Hope International (MOHI) ensure the continuity of these critical mobile clinics that have become a lifeline for those with limited access to healthcare, exemplifying the impact of collaborative efforts in improving lives.
During the mission, the medical team conducted screenings for 53 children with various orthopaedic needs. Fifteen of these children, requiring surgeries, were scheduled for procedures at the CURE children’s Hospital in Kijabe on a later date.