Surgeries Overseas Assistance Program

We’re behind on our introductions again. Please welcome Dr Baker (hand and spine specialist), his wife Kim (OR nurse), and Dr Halvorson (trauma specialist) as they continue SOAP’s work at KCMC! Dr Baker is working with this spine team over these next 2 weeks with some new spine instrumentation and Dr Halvorson has been excited to use the new radiolucent table in the OR! Kim and Jeff are not only using their teaching talents but are taking over as family hosts in the doctors compound as Bobby and Jennifer headed back home. Exciting to watch the SOAP “family” grow - thanks to everyone for their support!

Education and teamwork. While we love sharing some individual patient stories - SOAP is most proud of all the teamwork and learning during our time at KCMC. We all teach each other - shared experiences, knowledge, and tips. The quest to learn is a motor for us all!

Surgery for John

Meet 6 year old, John— another active boy that broke his leg when he fell from a tree (lots of tree climbing here in Moshi— for fun, but also for mangos and avocados). Dr. Casey fixed his femur with two flexible nails inserted on either side of John’s knee through very small incision sites. Because of these flexible nails, he did not need a cast! John is recovering well and should be back to his usual active self soon! In the meantime, he is enjoying his coloring book and crayons from Dr. Casey! Thanks, Friends of SOAP, for your support of John!

SOAP continues to have awesome interactions with adorable children. Please meet our new friend, Jesca. She is a delightful 6 year old who was happily dancing on the couch when she took an unfortunate tumble. She landed on her elbow and broke her humerus (her upper arm bone) at the elbow… Dr. Bobby met Jesca in pre-op holding and made her laugh with his attempts at counting in Swahili (moja, mbilli, tatu). He and Dr Patt repaired her broken bone in the OR and demonstrated a no incision technique for the KCMC residents. Jesca has rewarded our SOAP team with an abundance of smiles!

A tour of the house. We get lots of questions about living in Moshi. We thought you’d enjoy a short tour. Welcome to our home! The house is concrete floors, cinder block construction with a metal roof. We have power and water, stove, refrigerator, and laundry sink. We are most proud of the renewed bathroom and we end the tour with a bedroom pic. The team works together to make this house our home during our visit. Mama Jen ( ) -as she affectionately called by all - decorates with bits of colorful cloth and fresh flowers throughout the month! We certainly enjoy eating at different restaurants around town, but a home cooked meal after a long day in the OR always hits the spot!