By Lillian W. Gitau | Director of Global Program
A Note From Dr. Lebbie:
A most favorite part of my work is the welcome that I receive from children in need of treatment when I travel to different regions outside of Freetown to provide surgeries. This happens to be once or twice a month. I mainly get to travel to the Northern and Western regions of the country where some of the most vulnerable children await treatment. With wide smiles and hopeful eyes, they observe me keenly as I interact with them and their families before treatment. We often dance together, play soccer or simply sing songs and pray together, as we get to know each another, and before long we become good friends.
And this was the case this past month when I traveled to the Northern region at the beginning and end of May to provide treatment to children living in that part of the country.
At the KALPAT Medical Center in Makeni, children were waiting patiently for my arrival at the start of the month, in order to get a chance for free surgery for hernias and a wide range of other surgical ailments. The operations I provided were funded by BethanyKids, and the smiles on the faces of the parents and children said it all, and were a true testament to this significant work that we do. We all truly cannot fully express our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters, which we see written on the faces of children and parents.
We conducted a second surgical camp towards the end of May where 10 children received treatment. Whereas the first medical outreach comprised children mostly under the age of 5 years, this second camp had children all above 5 years. The difference was striking, leading me to inquire why children had been brought in for treatment late. Every single parent that I spoke with stated a lack of financial capacity to pay for the surgery as the reason for not seeking care earlier. Each was extremely grateful that their children would benefit from the free treatment we provide.
The sponsored surgical camps attract patients from all over the Northern and Western regions and beyond. They are highly anticipated and appreciated by all. I would like to say thank you again for your generous support which continues to allow us to extend healthcare to the children in my country. Together, we will be able to accomplish much for and on behalf of sick children here in Sierra Leone!
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