Oh, happy day
Life has been such a flurry of exciting things that it’s been a while since I dropped you a line - but today is the International Day of Happiness, and therefore the perfect occasion to share good news, and some of the things that have been bringing me joy lately.
Kafika Moshi
We opened Kafika House Moshi last month, and it’s been incredible to welcome our first patients as we settle into this beautiful space.
Our focus here is on children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and their mamas stay with them on site. It’s a different model of care, and a longer healing journey - and I am so proud we’re serving families living with these disabilities.
Unleashing potential
I hopped over the border to Kenya and met with Cure Children's Hospital who provide funded surgical care for children living with disabilities, and Bethany Kids, who provide training to paediatric surgeons.
I can’t tell you how empowering and inspiring it was to connect with people so aligned with our vision - it made our plans feel that much more within reach.
I also joined the Management and Development for Health team to discuss furthering rehabilitation services in Tanzania, and joined a meeting on Developing Basic Standards for Specialised Rehabilitation Hospitals, organised by the Ministry of Health.
It was such an honour for Kafika House to be invited, and to take our place alongside the people shaping Tanzania's rehabilitative health plans and policies - what a dream-come-true week.
One World Medical Relief
Our incredible friends from One World Medical Relief returned this month, transforming the lives of 55 children with cleft lip and palate, masses, and burn scar contractures. Surgeons Dr Brown, Dr Gerow, Dr Bakker, Dr Schnur and Dr Amis, and anaesthetists Dr Schmidt, Dr Egeland, anaesthetist nurses Marong and Meulken all volunteered their time and talent to surgeries and training, and we are so grateful.
Visitors from afar
Gail, President of Friends of Kafika House USA, came to visit Arusha, and we took her to Likamba, and our Karatu and Moshi homes. Jonas, founder of Pflaster für Tansania, is here from Germany and it’s been great to share our latest developments with him, and introduce him to our newer team members.
Gail, Jonas and their teams work tirelessly to support the work we do, so it’s always so special to have them on site, seeing all the action that their efforts make possible.
Professional development
Our Expansion Team headed to gorgeous Gibb’s Farm for a strategy retreat and fundraising workshop. I loved all the inspiration and exciting plans that flowed out of this getaway - we mapped out big, bold dreams and charted paths to reach them.
Later, psychologist Malaika Thomsen led our management team through a workshop to enhance team alignment, define our organisational culture and develop our managerial capabilities.
Judith at GDG
Our partners, Global Development Group, host a 'Strength in Partnership' conference every second year, and this time it was in Australia.
Judith, our COO, jetted over to join them and so enjoyed getting to know the wonderful people supporting Kafika House and so many others across the globe. We were so proud to have her representing us - go Judith!
We’re also deep into the design process of our Likamba project, and gearing up for our mid-year Karatu Immersion Trip. In short, I’ll have just as much news to share again soon, so do stay tuned.
With love,
Sarah