Our Work
BethanyKids Blog
Written by Leann Vernon
Thank you, Lifespring Chapel!
Written by Francis Mbatha
Lifespring Chapel, a church in Nairobi, invited BethanyKids to do an assessment of several children they thought would be eligible for surgical intervention at BethanyKids. Five staff members from BethanyKids attended the clinic at the church compound. The medical team saw 12 patients in total, identifying eight who can get help at BethanyKids. Pastor Titus and the church members donated four boxes of needles and three boxes of syringes. The church also donated money to cover the team’s travel costs. We thank God for the opportunities He is giving us to partner with local churches in healing African children and transforming lives. We are grateful to Lifespring Chapel and all the other churches who have given us support and a platform to share about BethanyKids. To see this story with photos visit our blog.
Last Updated on Saturday, 15 June 2013 11:02Wheels Team Visits Joytown
Written by Francis Mbatha
We are very thankful to the 2013 Wheels Team led by Karen Rispin a a professor of Biology from LeTourneau University in Texas. The nine team members were with us for three weeks. The students assessed two different types of wheelchairs and repaired many of the broken wheelchairs in Joytown Special Primary School.
Through this program, over 140 children have benefitted from wheelchairs specially modified to meet each of their needs. Our team has gained valuable knowledge in wheelchair fitting, modification, repair and maintenance.
This year the team was accompanied by the Tinsley family: Amber, Madison and Connor. Connor is an 11 year old boy, living with spina bifida who uses a wheelchair. His strength and courage has been a great encouragement to the children in Joytown, and to the mothers he met during a visit to BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital.
This is the third year in a row that the team has come to Joytown. Every year they have compared two different types of wheelchairs, giving feedback to the manufacturers. The feedback will help many wheelchair users across the world access wheelchairs that meet their needs, and are durable in their localities. To see pictures from this story visit our Facebook page.
Last Updated on Saturday, 15 June 2013 11:03Baby Desmond
Written by Francis Mbatha
In addition to neurosurgery cases, BethanyKids is also helping many children by providing general pediatric surgery. One baby boy, Desmond, recently came to us because he has a bilateral inguinal hernia. This type of hernia occurs when there is a weak spot in your groin. The resulting bulge can hurt. A hernia does not get better on its own and requires surgery to get better. Desmond’s hernia caused lots of discomfort and pain, not only to him, but also to his parents. After going to several hospitals and failing to get help, Desmond and his mom were finally referred to BethanyKids. Without the surgery, Desmond risks having part of his intestine get stuck in the hernia. We are so thankful he arrived at BethanyKids before this happened.
A Battle Won
Written by Francis Mbatha
Catherine and Catherine’s bright smiles declare a battle won against stigma and low self esteem. Catherine Ndanu Paul, 23, (left) developed Kyphosis as a complication from Spina bifida, and Catherine Mumbua Kimeu, 24, (right) has Spina bifida. Both young women attended this year's Continence Training Program held at the Evening Shade Hotel in Machakos town.
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