ABEL DALOME BACKWARD KNEES

ABEL DALOME

     Abel is an unusually happy eleven-year-old, who says his favorite thing to do is to make friends.  His attitude is exceptional, considering the physical problem he has been living with for most of his life, and the reaction of most people to that problem.
     His childhood was normal until a problem arose following an injection. His parents noticed he was having difficulty learning to crawl. His muscles had stopped growing, but his bones had not. His legs were not growing as they should because there was so little musculature to direct them. As he grew, they began to bend backward at the knee, forcing his upper thighs out behind him. His parents took him to three different doctors, but none of them knew what to do for him.
    Despite this condition, the resolute Abel learned to lean forward, correcting his balance enough to walk, climb and do about anything any other active boy could do. He’s even the goalkeeper on his football (soccer) team. The only thing he couldn’t do was ride a bicycle, since it requires sitting straight on the seat and pumping down on the pedals from the front.
    His physical problem was so out of the ordinary, that the other children made him the object of ridicule, calling him terrible names and beating him. Yet, all of this never brought him to despair, never dampened his joyful spirit. His parents, however, were greatly concerned for his future.
     One day, there was an announcement on the radio that a Mercy Ship was coming to Togo, offering surgeries without charge. Abel’s father was hopeful that this time maybe something could be done for his son. He brought Abel to an orthopedic screening in Lome, where he received his appointment card for a surgery on the hospital ship Africa Mercy. Several days later, the volunteer surgeons straightened his left leg.
    A wonderful surprise awaited Abel when he awoke after surgery. His left leg was straight out in front of him, wrapped in a cast. He sat in his bed admiring it.  Then he asked his dad, seated beside his hospital bed, if his right leg would also be straight after the next surgery. His father assured him that it would. “If the other leg is going to be like this one, I am going to give a big thanks to the Lord,” said a jubilant Abel. In a few days, the second surgery straightened his right leg.
   The surgeries on Abel’s legs have required a long period of recovery. During that time, he and his dad have been staying at the Hospitality Center a short distance from the ship. Here, Abel did, indeed, make many friends among the other children recovering from   surgeries. Many times, Abel and his dad were transported to the ship for post operative care before the third procedure, plastic surgery on his knees. So, Abel has made many friends among the crew, also; flashing his brilliant smile in appreciation of all that is done for him.
     With the World Cup approaching, Abel is intensely interested in watching his favorite sport, and especially his favorite player, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba on TV. After so many weeks of recuperation, he is eagerly looking forward to getting out on the field himself. But his long-term goal is to become a surgeon some day, like those on the Mercy Ships “because of the things they have done for me,” he said.

KOSSIN DELOU NO LONGER AN OUTCAST!

Sixteen year old, Kossin Delou, spent the last four years of his life sheltered by his family and kept out of the public eye due to an enormous tumor that dominated the left side of his face. In the early stages of the tumor growth Kossin visited local hospitals in Lomé, Togo but due to lack of money Kossin’s family was not able to afford surgery. As the tumor grew larger, Kossin’s life steadily became more difficult.

The tumor grew from the upper jaw bone above the teeth. As it grew larger the growth started to cover his eye and hinder his vision. Kossin’s father is a local pastor and the church is an important part of his family life. Due to the difficulties created by his tumor, Kossin was shamed into staying home during his father’s church service.

Kossin’s dream is to study at a university to become a teacher. He is inspired to enrich the lives of children with knowledge and love. Such a deformity of the face would have kept Kossin from getting the proper education to be able to teach.

Physical problems are not the only worries Kossin endured during the four years of this tumor’s growth. Emotional turmoil has been his greatest demon. Children who were once friends ridiculed him on the streets and at school. He even felt like an outsider among his own siblings.


After many hours of surgery Kossin emerged with a newly constructed face. Joy radiated from Kossin and his family as he spent time in the Africa Mercy ward in recovery.

Kossin’s father, Pastor Delou, gives thanks and glory to God that such mercy was bestowed on his family. “In this life each one of us need help in some moments of our life. I can say that through Mercy ships, we have found that help.” Said Pastor Delou, “you can have a bad story but before the end of your life God will open a door and smile deep into your heart. I know that God is working through Mercy Ships for the best in my life and in Kossi’s life.”

Kossi can now join his family and friends at church service and play with his siblings without being made into an outcast. Also, in September of 2010 Kossi will be able to start school again where he will kickstart his education on his way to becoming a teacher.

 Just three weeks after his surgery, Kossi is healing well and is ecstatic about his new life.
















“I just want to thank everyone on Mercy Ships. I am so glad that Mercy Ships came through you people and blessed me”.

KODJO YOVOGAN - RAY OF HOPE!

Kodjo sat alone on a bench at the medical screening. His expression was intensely serious. An attractive young husband and father, he had a tumor the size of a grapefruit on his right cheek that curled around behind his ear. It had been growing since he was twelve years old.

     Kodjo had been an auto mechanic until the tumor grew so large it got in the way of his work.  To provide for his family, he began driving a taxi. Recently, the growth was having a negative effect on that job, too.

      He played several sports, and especially enjoyed football (soccer). But the growth of the tumor eventually stopped it all. He even stopped going to church, where he felt very self-conscious. The tumor was taking the joys of his life away.
    
     A Mercy Ships radio announcement provided a ray of hope. The hospital ship Africa Mercy was coming to Togo. “I trusted Mercy Ships could help me,” he said. He had heard about Mercy Ships when the Africa Mercy was in Togo in 2003, but wasn’t in Togo and could not get there before the field service was over.

    This time, he made sure he was there. The volunteer doctors performed the surgery to remove the tumor free of charge. Although Kodjo’s total recovery will take a few weeks, he can return to a more normal life now. “ I can go back to being a mechanic. I can go back to church. I’m going to start everything.  I can do anything now!” he said with great exhilaration.

 

As he left the ship, Kodjo said he was thanking God for everything that had happened to him aboard. “The hand of God is in everything here,” he added.

AMA TREVE-UNSHROUDED SHAME NO MORE!

Ama wore a scarf around her head to hide the right side of her face. For three years, a tumor had been relentlessly growing and devastating her lfie. People whispered that the growth was evidence of demons within the lovely young woman. Her husband abandoned her and her ten-year-old daughter.




As a child, Ama became a Christian and had always loved to attend Sunday morning worship services. The tumor even took that joy away from her. Now she only went to church in the evening when attendance was lower- with fewer people to stare at her and wonder about her. With hope waning, she became very withdrawn.

But her hope was renewed when she heard about a hospital ship coming to the neighboring country of Togo. The ship’s doctors performed surgeries without charge. Ama made arrangements to stay with her sister, who lived just a few miles from the harbour. Ama’s brother gladly agreed to take care of her daughter while she made the trip.

Her hope was rewarded1 She received the precious appointment card for a surgery aboard the Africa Mercy, and Mercy Ships volunteer surgeons successfully removed the benign tumor.

Now, Ama is recovering- with loving support from her ten sisters and her brother. Her total recovery will take some time, with follow-up visits to the Africa Mercy for extended care. But the future is bright. She looks forward to getting back to work as a seamstress and hairdresser.

Ama’s sister says, “I give a great big thanks to the Lord. There was no hope for a long time. But the Lord is working through Mercy Ships to bring the ship here. May God bless the work of the Mercy Ships.”

INFANT FEEDING PROGRAM

Marius Attitta a few weeks after birth.  He is malnutritioned with cleft lip and palate.  He is put on a 6 week feeding program prior to his surgery.  He will be reevaluated after the 6 weeks to see if his weight gain is up to the recommended weight for his cleft lip surgery.

Program Director Hettie Hienstra, enjoys spending time with patient, Marius Attitta










Hettie measures patient’s head circumference

 Marius Attitta spends quality time with his mother as she feeds him with a special technique learned in the infant feeding program








 
Hettie instructs the mother on how to feed her child.

Marius is weighed in2.8 kg. 











Marius gets his heart rate taken during a routine check up for the infant feeding program. 

HOSPITALITY CENTER HOME FOR THE RECOVERING

HOSPITALITY CENTER

  The Hospitality Center, situated about 3 ½ km. (two miles) from where the Africa Mercy is docked, opened its doors the first week in March. The 40 bed facility offers overnight provision for up to 90 patients awaiting surgeries and other procedures, as well as on-land office space for eye services and other programs. The Center housed 88 patients and caregivers overnight to prevent travel problems during Togo’s recent national election.

 Pre-op and post -op services for 240 eye patients, including 80 cataract surgeries, were handled during the first week of operation. According to Eye Specialist Woody Hopper, who heads the eye services office, “It is expected that 1600 eye patients will pass through the facility during this field service.”

Surrounded by a gated cement wall, the facility is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the tumultuous city of Lomé.  The Center is housed in a government-owned clinic in the process of becoming a hospital. The Togolese government is allowing the use of one wing for this facility for the duration of the Togo field service. Mercy Ships workers have replaced the leaky roof, installed electricity and air conditioning, and done a total cleaning. The result is a sanitary, up-to-date, and pleasant place for patients awaiting medical services.

      The management team, Barry and Cheryl Wells, Chris Coburn, and Ellen DePagter, share the work load.  In addition, there are 22 day volunteers, working in teams, who do maintenance, drive the shuttles, and assist guests. Ellen heads the education and training sessions. The Hospitality Center is under the supervision of Mark Palmer, Land Based Programs Manager. All surgeries take place on the Africa Mercy.

 Opening day, the first group of 30 patients received pre-op services before Dr. Glen Strauss performed their eye surgeries onboard. They returned to the Center for post-op care and assembled on the outdoor foyer, where they received instruction, as well as complimentary pouches containing products for their eye care between visits to the Center. Assistants Innocent Kugbeyo and Marcel Goussunoo gave instructions in both  French, Togo’s official language, and Ewe, one of the country’s most prevalent tribal languages.

      Following the instruction session, Innocent led the group in prayer. He then produced his native drum, and praying became a celebration in song. “I’m giving thanks to God. I will always call on God”   they sang with smiling faces and arms raised, as they moved in unison to the music. Soon, everyone in the immediate area was singing and dancing with them. Once laser surgeries begin, such prayer and celebrations will take place every Friday for up to 120 patients, thanking God in song for His goodness.

      Innocent and Marcel were day volunteers in Benin last year, and were trained to assist in the eye program. They lead worship and function as translators. Innocent says he loves what he is doing. “It’s a very pleasure to work with Mercy Ships,” he said. “I worked in Benin last year and (after this field service) plan to finish my discipleship training in Ghana so I can return to work with Mercy Ships.”
      Woody Hopper added, “We were blessed to have (workers) that were trained last year in Benin. It makes it so much easier because they know what to do”.
     As patients were leaving the facility, one man, Kossi Diabo, smiled  widely.  “I am very happy to be here this morning to get a healing from God,” he said, “and would thank Mercy Ships for what they are doing. First I can’t see anything. Now, I can see! May God encourage you and give you strength.”

PONSETI MANAGEMENT PROGRAM-FIRST CHILD IN WEST AFRICA

Little Kossi was born with Clubfoot. This condition causes the foot to grow inward, retarding normal growth and leaving the side of the foot where the bottom should be - crippling the child.


In many African cultures, this abnormality is viewed as a curse and makes a child an outcast. But Kossi's mother, Akouwa, took action to prevent that. She brought the 10-month-old baby to a Mercy Ships screening in Togo. He became the first patient in West Africa to take part in the Ponseti Management Program, now being established onboard the Africa Mercy .

The Ponseti technique, developed by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti over fifty years ago, is a series of casts that manipulate the foot gently into a more normal position. It requires only minor surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon as the child grows. The child may need to wear some type of foot brace. The entire process requires 20 visits over four years. Kossi had both legs cast and manipulated and will be recast in three weeks.

The Mercy Ships Ponseti team, under the direction of Dr. James McDaniel, includes Dr. Frank Haydon and Dr. Gary Douglas. Dr. McDaniel enthusiastically describes the program: " It ' s the gold standard that has been used all over the world. But, unfortunately, all over the world does not include West Africa. So, we are starting this program in Togo - with the h op e that one of the other groups w ill help to keep the program going.

We will supply the cast materials and all the supplies for the six months we are here. We hope to manage at least 60 to 70 crippled children on this program. It will be taught, and those can teach it to others. So , we are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to the children of West Africa."