SIERRA LEON-Abraham-the boy with the scrap hand

Abraham's hand before surgery

Abraham Bangali (witten by himself)



Abraham's hand before surgery



“This is the story about Abraham and Mercy Ships …,” Abraham Bangali writes on a fresh sheet of paper in his cherished sketchbook. An avid artist, Abraham was bitten on the wrist by a snake as an infant. As a result, his hand contracted over time until it was permanently bent back at a 45-degree angle to his wrist. Below is Abraham’s story, in his own words:



Abraham's hand after surgery during physio therapy excercises

  When I was in my home, I was abandoned by my friends. Wherever they were I did not go there because of my problem, and wherever I went people laughed at me because of my problem. One day, my brother took me to Kenema and put me in school. When I started attending, I had a lot of friends, but some of the students hated me because of my problem, and wherever I went people pointed at me.   

There was a girl I liked. Her name was Zainab. I told her my name, but unfortunately she forgot my name. One day, this girl went to my house to visit me. I was in my room. She went to my parents and asked for me. She said, ‘I am looking for a boy.’



Abraham scetches the Africa Mercy



My mother asked, ‘What is the name of the boy?’

She replied to my mother, ‘The boy with the scrap hand.’ As she described me like that, I came out. When she saw me, she became ashamed about what she said about me.

One day, I was listening to the radio, and I heard news about Mercy Ships saying that whoever had a problem like cancer, burns, etc. should go to the hospital and register. That very day, I went to government hospital and did my registration, and the doctor gave me an appointment card that I should come here on September 1. When I came, I went for admission, and on September 8 I went through my surgery.

My hand was so bad, but Mercy Ships said that my hand should not be like that forever. Now I give thanks to God and Mercy Ships and also the day-workers.




Abraham now can create art once again.

 

To end the story, I would like to say a proverb: ‘A baby on her mother’s back does not know that the way is long.’ God is so good.

November 2011 Photos by: Debra Bell / Story by Catherine Cooper and Abraham Bangali

SIERRA LEONE-SALLEY KARGBO-Orthopedic

SALLEY KARGBO

Salley before surgery



Salley before surgery

“Sometimes, I would just sit down and cry,” said Sally with great emotion.  For seventeen years, people laughed at her and mocked her because of her legs – horribly misshapen and knock-kneed. The constant verbal abuse made her feel ashamed. Walking was difficult and tiring, so she didn’t go to school. She just stayed at home in her misery.

The problem was caused by an automobile accident when she was only ten years old.  A witch doctor blanketed her legs with a native concoction of boiled leaves. Splints of wooden sticks were tied to her legs for three months. But nothing changed; she returned home with bent legs. Without money for surgery, she had to learn to live with her disability.

Salley after surgery

 Three years ago, Sally’s parents died.  Since she had no siblings, she went to live with a friend. Her friend found a mentor to teach Sally to sew, and she eventually went to work at a dressmaker’s shop.  In fact, she hopes to own her own shop some day.

Salley after surgery

A new friend at work told her that a Mercy Ship, offering orthopedic surgeries at no charge, would soon be in Sierra Leone. She encouraged Sally to go to the screening. The volunteer surgeons on the Africa Mercy surgically repaired her legs and put them in casts.

When she awoke in the ward, she was delighted to see that her legs were both straight in the casts. But when her casts were changed, she was ecstatic.  “I could SEE my legs were straight!” said Sally with a brilliant smile.  “It’s like a dream, and I’m an angel that can walk on straight legs!”While Sally was recuperating from surgery, she received some very special guests – the wives of the President and Vice President of Sierra Leone!  The moment was captured by a photographer and printed in the local paper. This was a highlight for all the patients in the ward, who dubbed her “Queen Sally.” She had never received such recognition before and thoroughly enjoyed the reflected glory of the event. It was a great start in helping Sally think of herself in a new and more positive light.



Salley has her casts changed



Another bonus of the surgery is that her straightened legs add height to her physical stature.  When she walked on her bandaged legs for the first time, she exclaimed, “I’m so amazed! I used to be a short somebody. Now, I’m tall!”

A free surgery revolutionized the life of this young woman with the bubbly personality.  Sally already knows what she will do first upon being released from the hospital ship.



Salley has both casts removed and walks without crutches.



 “I want to give my testimony at church of what Mercy Ships did for me,” she states firmly. “If it were not for Mercy Ships, I was going to die with legs like that, because I had no money. I was mocked every place I went. I’m thanking God for what He has done for me, and I’m asking Him to bless you people.”

Photos by Debra Bell  / Story by Elaine Winn

SIERRA LEONE- Josephine's Miracle-Struggling for breath

JOSEPHINE’S MIRACLE



Josephine's life is saved with surgery

Two-year-old Josephine inhaled something that affected her breathing. Her parents, David and Judith, could hear the rattle with every struggling breath. They took her to a local clinic which sent them to an emergency hospital . . . which sent them to a government hospital . . . which sent them to a satellite clinic . . . which sent them back to the government hospital.  After five days in the government hospital, specialist Dr. Karim Kabineh told them that Josephine was so tiny that she would die if he performed the necessary operation. He needed a pediatric anesthetist, anesthesia equipment, and a critical care unit with 24-hour nursing care – all unavailable at that hospital.



 After eight days of hopeless searching for help, the desperate parents took Josephine to the office of the Minister of Health, where David hoped to plead his case and find someone who could help. At that moment – in the miracle of God’s timing – Ann Gloag, a member of the Mercy Ships International Board who is well-known for her charity work in Africa, was meeting with the Minister.

As this compassionate woman walked by the family sitting in the reception area, she heard the labored breathing of little Josephine. She put in a call to Dr. Gary Parker, Chief Medical Officer onboard the Africa Mercy, the hospital ship docked a short distance away in Freetown Harbor. After explaining to him what appeared to be the problem, arrangements were made to use an ambulance to transport Josephine, her parents and Dr. Kabineh to the ship.

Dr. Gary examined Josephine, took x-rays and discovered a small stone lodged in the little girl’s bronchus. A virtual think tank was begun to find a way to remove the stone from her tiny body. Dr.Gary approached engineering to see if a medical device could be fashioned that would be the right shape to fit into the bronchoscope and retrieve the stone.  Every plausible idea was examined and eventually rejected. 

Dr. Gary and Dr. Kabineh worked for five hours trying to remove the stone without success. Dr. Gary called Ann back to explain that what Josephine needed was a cardiac thoracic surgeon, and there wasn’t one on the ship. David was devastated. Mercy Ships was his last hope. But crew member Clementine Tengue encouraged him, saying, “God will find a way.”

ICU nurse Melissa attends to Josephine

 Josephine was admitted to the intensive care unit with 24-hour care. About 3:00 am, ICU Nurse Melissa Warner was working the night shift when Josephine lost her breathing tube.  Her vital signs were crashing.  Dr. Michelle White, the pediatric *anesthetist/ anesthesiologist, was paged, but it would take her several minutes to respond.  “In my mind, I said ‘I need help!’”Melissa said. “And when I looked up, there was Corina Buth standing in the doorway in her pajamas!” Corina, a pediatric ICU nurse from the Netherlands, had been restless and couldn’t sleep.  Corina did CPR, and Josephine’s vital signs returned to normal. Then Dr. Michelle arrived and replaced the breathing tube.

Josephine’s condition was rapidly deteriorating. Analysis was made of the hospitals nearby. Ghana had the required surgeon, but he was absent at that time, and the travel expense to South Africa was prohibitive.

Meanwhile, Ann had phoned a professor friend of hers in Nairobi and explained that she needed a pediatric cardiac thoracic surgeon who could fly to Sierra Leone right away. The professor knew just the right man – Dr. James Munene, head of cardiac surgery at Nairobi’s Kenyatta National Hospital. Although it was quite late, he phoned Dr. James, explained the problem and asked him to go to Sierra Leone to operate on Josephine.

“Wait!” Dr. James said, rather forcefully. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Just talk to this lady,” the professor responded.

Ann called a few minutes later and told the doctor he needed to fly immediately to Freetown where his skills were urgently needed.

“I was a bit reluctant,” said Dr. Munene. “I had never heard of Mercy Ships. I had no information on this case, and it was the middle of the night!”

Ann called back with information on his flight. “Be at the airport at 6:00 a.m.,” she said. 

“It was a little difficult to say no to the lady. I told my wife, ‘I guess I’m going to Sierra Leone in the morning,’” Dr. Munene said.



Josephine's parents are relieved and thankful to the Dr's

 Then Dr. Gary called to say he was emailing information and x-rays of Josephine.

“I was thinking, ‘It’s not happening! It didn’t sound real!’ But by 1:00 a.m., I had the ticket and all the necessary papers ... and there I was at the airport at 6:00 a.m..,” explained Dr. James.

This confident specialist with the gentle demeanor landed at Lungi Airport, not yet totally comprehending the situation. And he still had to endure the bumpy boat ride across the bay to Freetown. “It was surreal!” he admitted.

Dr. James was overwhelmed by the Africa Mercy, the more than 400 crew members volunteering from 35 different countries, and the concept of bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor. He couldn’t believe such a mission could have been in operation for so many years, and he didn’t know anything about it.

Teaming with Dr. Gary, Dr. James operated on Josephine, fishing the stone out of her bronchus with ease. Because Josephine was so tiny, it was a vital requirement to have a pediatric anesthetist as part of the team. Dr. Michelle White was serving in this capacity at the time and was a vital part of the team.  “Working with such a tiny body, I wouldn’t have proceeded without her,” said Dr. James. 



Josephine recuperates in the ICU

 Josephine awoke shortly after the surgery and sat up on the gurney all the way to the Intensive Care Unit, looking around and asking for a glass of water. To everyone’s surprise, she was anxious to eat right away. After a few days of recuperating in the ICU – and enjoying the attention of the nurses and other crew members – the little girl and her grateful parents left the ship-

In reviewing this story, it is amazing to see the many things that had to happen for this tiny girl to survive.  Her parents had to keep her alive for eight days after she inhaled the stone.  Ann Gloag had to be visiting the office of the Minister of Health at the same time that David, Judith, and Josephine were there. Dr. James Munene had to agree to perform a surgery for an organization of which he had never heard; and Nurse Corina had to be drawn to the ICU because she couldn’t sleep.  This incredible timing and all of these wonderful people were part of the miracle that allowed Josephine to grin happily as she left the Africa Mercy as a healthy little girl.

Dr. James was captivated by the mission and hopes to return to volunteer his services. “Really, it’s a privilege to come and see what people are doing while others are sleeping and doing nothing,” he said.

And God never sleeps – miracles still happen every day.  Sometimes we are blessed to be a part of them.

Photos by Debra Bell / Story by Elaine B. Winn

SIERRA LEONE- Atamin Avon-Crossed Eyes

Atamin Avon

Atamin before surgery

      
Mariama was a fifteen-year-old sophomore when her sister died giving birth to a baby daughter named Atamin. With her father’s support and the income from her part-time job as a hairdresser, Mariama left school to take care of Atamin, her sister and two brothers. There was no one else to help. This was a big responsibility for such a young girl, and the job was made even more difficult since Atamin was born with a crossed eye.

Little Atamin became the target of taunts from the neighborhood children.

Atamin after surgery

“Cross eyes! Cross eyes!” they would call, which would bring on a torrent of tears. This wounding of her soul provoked the normally gentle child to misbehave. “She’s wild, causing problems with those other kids,” explained Mariama.

When Atamin was five years old, she was given some very exciting news – she was going to a big, white hospital ship called the Africa Mercy for surgery on her eye. She confidently believed that her eyes could be normal.

A Mercy Ships volunteer ophthalmologist performed the surgery. The next morning he removed the eye patch and handed Atamin a mirror. But the mirror reflected much more than just a properly focused eye – it displayed the joy blooming in a little girl’s glowing smile. The transformation in her personality was immediate and electric!  Obviously in awe of the change, she relished the moment, savoring everyone’s exuberant response to the successful surgery.

This beautiful child who loves to dance, play games and sing at church can now thoroughly enjoy doing those things without the overshadowing fear of being shunned.



Atamin's mother glowing with a smile



“I have a lot of thanks for you (Mercy Ships),” said Mariama. “When Baby was at home, people were laughing at her for crossed eyes. May the Lord bless you people. You have healed our daughter.”

Photos by Debra Bell / Story by Elaine B. Winn

SIERRA LEONE-Harding Sesay- Maxillo Facial

Harding Sesay



Harding before surgery

Harding Sesay was an active 16-year-old in Guinea – a busy high school student and a midfielder on his community football (soccer) team. Then a boil on his nose began to grow until it stuck out like a giant muffin, blocking the vision in his right eye.

The emotional suffering was even worse than the physical. His gentle spirit was crushed when classmates laughed and made fun of him. Strangers stared and giggled. He was so embarrassed, he stopped going to school. For three years, he tried to remove the growth using traditional African medicine, a mixture of leaves pasted on his skin. But it didn’t help.

 

When his parents abandoned him, he went to Sierra Leone and moved in with friends who understood his problem. For seven years, he sat at home and they took care of him.   One day Harding heard a radio announcement that Mercy Ships was on its way to Freetown to offer surgeries for facial tumors – free of charge! He went to the Minister of Health, who directed him to a medical screening.



Harding after Surgery

A few days later, Harding was admitted to the hospital ward. Nurse Corina Buth prepared him for surgery and witnessed his operation. When she noticed how much blood he was losing, she registered to be a donor for him, since her blood type matched his.  And, later that evening,


Corina was called to the Intensive Care Unit, where she donated her life-saving blood.

The next morning, as Corina was caring for him, Harding wanted to tell her how grateful he was that she donated blood for him, but he couldn’t find the words. But Corina understood. “His eyes told the whole story,” she said.




Dr Leo Cheng Harding's surgeon





Harding was overwhelmed by the love and care he received on the Africa Mercy. He couldn’t believe the volunteer surgeons had done such a wonderful job removing the tumor from his nose. “He was asking for a mirror all the time,” said Corina.

While recovering, he was invited to a Bible study. Despite the fact that he was a Muslim, he attended. Many of his questions were answered, and when the study focused on 1 Corinthians, he got very excited.  He told the Clementine, the Bible teacher, he wanted to give his life to Jesus. She explained the importance of such a decision, and asked him why he wanted to become a Christian. “Because this is the true love,” he answered.



The nurses say goodbye to Harding

Harding was discharged on a Sunday morning. Before he left, he asked to speak to the crowd gathered at the Sunday service in the ward.  “For so many years I suffered,” he said, referring to the seven years he hid from society. “I was a Muslim when I came. Now, I am happy. Thanks to God for what Mercy Ships has done for me.”


Harding leaves with a broad smile





 


 



Photos by Debra Bell  / Story by Elaine B. Winn

SIERRA LEONE-Ramatu Koroma-I was in hiding...

Ramatu before surgery



Ramatu after surgery



Ramatu Koroma

“They called me a witch!” said Ramatu, raising her voice in a mixture of anger and despair. “They ran from me because they said I was demon-possessed!”



Ramatu recovers 4 weeks after surgery

 The growth that encompassed her nose and mouth greatly distorted her features, making speaking an effort. This very gentle woman explained that the problem started about ten years ago, right after the end of Sierra Leone’s civil war. A tiny boil began to grow on her nose. As it grew, both sides of her nose and her upper lip swelled. Because of this deformity, her husband abandoned her and their little daughter. Her friends were afraid they would “catch the sickness.”  “Only my brother didn’t abandon me. All the rest disappeared,” she said sadly.



Ramatu 5 weeks after surgery

 She had been a farmer, selling her potatoes in the market. But people stopped buying from her. She was reduced to begging on the street to support herself and her daughter.At church, she used to collect the offering. “But I’m ashamed to do that now,” she said, with her head bowed. Sitting quietly and unobtrusively in the service became her habit.

Then she heard people in her village talking about free surgeries offered by Mercy Ships in Freetown. A glimmer of hope flickered in her mind. Maybe … just maybe this was her chance to have a normal face. She summoned the courage to go to a medical screening and soon found herself in the hospital ward onboard the Africa Mercy.

Ramatu makes friends at the Hope Center where she recovers

The volunteer surgeons removed the hideous growth, revealing the real Ramatu. When she saw her face in the mirror, a dramatic change of expression swept over her features. Even with the bandages, she could see that her face carried no trace of her shame. As the swelling from the surgery diminished, her features gradually returned to normal. No longer did she hang her head in shame. In fact, Ramatu smiled all the time! Her warm and loving personality flourished as she welcomed interaction with others.

She recovered in the Mercy Ships HOPE Center, a facility conveniently located just a short distance from the ship. She returned to the Africa Mercy often for post-operative care.  When the scars healed, she was released to return home.

Ramatu had spent ten lonely years living in humiliation. Now, she had a bright future and was anxious to begin it. The many friends she made while in the care of Mercy Ships gave her a new self-confidence. Before leaving, they surrounded her with their loving good wishes.  “The people in your village won’t know you,” they said.  “It’s amazing! You look so beautiful!”



"I was in hiding, and now Mercy Ships has brought me out."

 “Mercy Ships has made me beautiful,” she said. “After the surgery, everybody is now thankful to God. They are all saying, ‘Ramatu, you are with God.’ I was in hiding, and now Mercy Ships has brought me out. I am comfortable with people. I am very much bold to face people. I am blessing God for Mercy Ships and praying that whatever you desire for Mercy Ships will come to pass. Thank you.”

Photos by Debra Bell / Story by Elaine B. Winn

SIERRA LEONE-Aminata King-Revisted Transformation

SIERRA LEONE: Aminata King: Revisited Transformation

Aminata warmly welcomed Sandy, throwing her arms around her friend of almost 20 years. Sandy beamed and hugged her back. Their friendship began in 1992 when Sandy was a volunteer on the Anastasis, and Aminata was a patient onboard the hospital ship.                                                 It is difficult to believe that Aminata, a gracious and gentle woman, was known as “the witch of Freetown” when they first met. Her neighbors thought the grapefruit-sized growth on her jaw was the result of an evil spell. As it grew, she became increasingly isolated from family and friends. The growth destroyed her clothing business, her marriage, her family and her life. Her husband left, her friends turned their backs on her, and customers wouldn’t even buy peeled oranges from her in the street.

Poor, sick and friendless, she prayed to Allah for help. When help was not forthcoming, she found warm acceptance in a nearby church. The grace and supportive love shown to her there won her heart, and Aminata gave her life to Jesus.

One night, she dreamed of a big white ship.  In her dream, Jesus healed her using the people on that ship. A few months later, the Anastasis arrived. The volunteer surgeons onboard removed the tumor and installed a titanium jaw. Several surgeries were required to do all that was required, giving Sandy and Aminata more time for their friendship to grow.

Aminata’s community was astonished when she returned home after the surgery. Everyone thought she would die, but she came back healed. “Because of the miracle, they were fighting to see her,” said Felix, Aminata’s new husband. “They wanted to touch her. Before the surgery they would spit on her – but not now!” he said.

Sandy eventually served eight years with Mercy Ships and then returned to Sierra Leone in 2002 to visit her dear friend. Over the years, Aminata had grown in her faith.  She spoke of her gratitude to God, who had sustained her and her family, even through a violent civil war. In fact, on one occasion, rebel soldiers had held her at gunpoint.  “Jesus kept us safe,” she said simply.              

Now, Sandy is back in Sierra Leone once again, this time serving in the dining room onboard the Africa Mercy, docked in Freetown. This ten-month field service offers an opportunity for the two friends to enjoy each other’s company – beginning with a visit to Aminata’s home. Aminata warmly welcomed Sandy into her living room, and they immediately began catching up on the events in each other’s lives.

Much has changed in Aminata’s life since she last visited with Sandy. She and her husband have moved from the tiny, cramped corner of one room to larger quarters in another part of town.  Now they have enough bedrooms for Felix’s 18-year-old daughter Felicia, as well as  15-year-old Murray and 9-year-old Sorie. Sorie was born to Aminata’s brother. Since he already had a son, and Aminata was childless, he gave Sorie to Aminata to raise.  Murray was Aminata’s sister’s son.  He was found lost in the bush with his grandmother after his mother was killed during the war.       

Felix and Aminata are building a life of faith together. Felix was born into a Muslim family but says, “I found God; there is no other God, only Him.”

The conversation drifted to years gone by and wonderful memories that Aminata cherishes – such as when crew members built a concrete store where she sold her provisions. She ran a very successful business there for three years until her parents got sick. Aminata spent her money on doctor bills for them. “By the time they died, the money was all gone,” she said wistfully.

She no longer sells in the market because there is no money to buy product to sell. Felix was an upholsterer, but can’t operate the sewing machine anymore because of a problem with his back. Aminata and Felix hope to be able to send Felicia to university if they can find the funds. They want to set up a business in Guinea, which is a free port where products cost less. This would allow them to sell in Sierra Leone for a larger profit. “We have to keep the family together,” declared Felix. “That’s the work of the father.”

  

When Aminata produced a large plastic drinking mug bearing the Mercy Ships logo, they all began to laugh. Although it had melted on one side and was no longer usable, Aminata had kept it. When the rebels attacked their home during the civil war, they tried to burn down the house. But the flame landed on the Mercy Ships mug and melted it, thus saving their home. What could have been a disaster is now a chuckle. “We thank God for His protection,” said Aminata.

After admiring photos of family members and offering a prayer of thanks, Aminata and Sandy walked hand-in-hand to the Mercy Ships vehicle. They made plans for another visit and shared one last hug before parting. The friendship that began almost twenty years ago has made a tremendous difference in their lives, and they are nurturing that friendship. It is a treasure that grows more valuable with each passing year.

“Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” – Aristotle

Photos by Debra Bell / Story by Elaine B. Winn

SIERRA LEONE-ISATU KONTEH-Cleft Lip

Isatu Konteh-Cleft lip – SIERRA LEONE 2011

For the better part of a day, Isatu sat on her hospital bed staring at the reflection of her face in the small mirror in her hand.  Despite the three thin strips of translucent bandage, she could see that the volunteer doctors on the Africa Mercy had corrected the cleft lip that had kept her isolated from people her whole life. She was amazed! She could hardly grasp the fact that she would now smile like everyone else.

Isatu was born with a cleft lip that created an unpleasant, even angry, expression on her face. It disrupted her upper lip and front teeth . . . and her entire life.  Isatu had spent her thirteen years at home, helping her mother keep house for the family, which included a sister and two brothers. Since West African culture views deformities as a sign of a curse, the cleft lip prevented Isatu from making friends and going to school. Would she ever be able to have a real life? 

Then hope appeared in the form of a radio advertisement. A Mercy Ship was coming to Sierra Leone, bringing surgeons who could fix cleft lips.  Isatu was delighted.

At the Mercy Ships medical screening, Isatu’s father described her as a very friendly girl who is a big help at home.  But she sat expressionless as he spoke.  Her father answered all questions for her. Quiet and withdrawn, she did not speak to anyone – a defense mechanism learned from years of being shunned.

Isatu was the first patient to receive the priceless appointment card for cleft lip surgery in the Sierra Leone Field Service. And what a difference the surgery made in her life!  Almost overnight, she was transformed from a very somber young lady to one who giggled about everything. She bloomed like a lovely flower, making friends among the patients recuperating in the ward. The successful cleft lip surgery gave her a whole new perspective on herself and on her life . . . evident in the beautiful new smile she generously bestowed on everyone.

When Isatu’s brother arrived to take her home, his delight with her successful surgery was obvious. He hugged her, and she reveled in his attention. He even revealed that because of the difference the surgery made, Isatu’s father, plans to enroll her in adult education classes, followed by training to become a seamstress. Isatu beamed as she realized she would soon be preparing for a productive life.

With pride and affection, her brother said, “Now she can get married and have a family.” Getting married and having children is of prime importance to young women in Sierra Leone – a goal previously prohibited by Isatu’s cleft lip.

It is no wonder Isatu’s first words after surgery were, “I’m happy now.”
                   Photos by Debra Bell / Story by Elaine B. Winn