Elizabeth Andrew
Medical assistant
When I was five years old, I had an accident in a Kenya boarding school. I severely broke my left arm. The doctors wanted to amputate my arm. A group of volunteer nuns believed I had a chance to have a full recovery with orthopedic surgery and follow-up intensive physical therapy. I believe God used those nuns to give hope to my parents. Today, I am a miracle that testifies to the goodness of humanitarian people who had faith of what is possible. I have deep passion when it comes to children. To see a child smile and not be worried about life is the greatest joy that fills my heart. I was a member of the Surgicorps Zambia team of 21 volunteers that brought hope to the children and their parents for a chance, with surgery, for a normal life.
Wahamba nathi, oh wahamba nathi (You walked with us, oh you walked with us)
Oh, wahamba nathi, siyabonga (Oh you walked with us, we thank you)
This song expressing gratitude was sung in harmony together as we were walking through the childrens’ ward at The Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia on the final day of our mission. The voices……a combination of children, their families, the hospital staff and our Surgicorps team. We sang and danced. Our hearts were full of joy and laughter as we celebrated side by side with the people of Zambia.
Walking together on day one…….We screened over 150 cases, many of them heart-breaking, and yet there was hope! Parents walked with hope from the screening rooms to see the anesthesia team, waiting for that final OK for the surgery their children so desperately needed.
Walking together day two to day five
The surgeries were from Monday to Friday with dressing changes also on Friday. I was expectedly nervous on the first day, but those butterflies quickly disappeared. Everyone on the team in the operating room walked together with the purpose of changing one child at a time. My emotions welled up seeing such treatable disabilities, but due to hard circumstances, the children had been living with these conditions. Eighty-one successful surgeries were performed on children ranging from one year old to eighteen years. I was amazed at the dedication of our team and the CURE hospital staff in walking together to care for each child.
Asante sana (thank you very much) sincerely to be part of the humanitarian kindness to these beautiful children.
I wanted to thank God for this opportunity to be able to go to Zambia to minister to the children and they ministered to my heart. They opened my mind to wanting to return to be with them, walk with them again, and celebrate their progress. I look forward to seeing all of them, especially Kevin, a 12-year-old boy, who said he wants to become a doctor. I connected to his passion to care for others. He now will be able to grow up, go to school, not be worried about his scars and dream about becoming someone great to change the world.
