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Surgicorps traveled to Zambia in September for the first time. The team knew that most of the surgeries would be burns but little else was known. Surgicorps’ 20 volunteers found a welcoming hospital staff and many patients in need of services. Surgicorps was able to provide 43 successful surgeries to the children of CURE hospital. 

One child was 11 year old Augustine. From the first day of screening his wonderful smile won everyone’s heart.  Augustine had been burned when he was nine months old when placing a stick in a cooking fire. His burn had healed but his arm had adhered to his chest.  Over the years, he had learned to function without full use of his arm. He also learned to smile!  

Prior to surgery Augustine watched the other children play basketball with the Surgicorps team.  After his surgery, he had to remain in bed to maintain positioning of his arm so it would heal properly.  He again had to watch, not participate, as the other children played basketball. Throughout his hospital stay he kept his smile.  When the team left Zambia, the Surgicorps volunteers decided to give Augustine his own basketball. A promise was made- next year when Surgicorps returns to Zambia, we will be shooting hoops with him-as always Augustine’s smile was there.