CURE Ethiopia: Expanding hope

In Ethiopia, it is a constant challenge for us to help children who come from distant places within the country. Through prayer, planning, and support, we’ve been able to lighten the burden of our patients who travel from far distances by opening a new rehabilitation facility! The Rees Jones Foundation Ward (RJF Ward) is named in honor of the people who helped build it. The Rees Jones Foundation has been a supporter of CURE Ethiopia for some time, and, more recently helped us expand our hospital here! We are very pleased with how the main level has turned out thus far, and we look forward to the completion of the remaining new levels soon.

The ability to keep long-term patients on our grounds who, for example, might have a frame on their lower extremity or those needing serial casting before having procedure performed is truly God’s favor. Brothers Seid and Abdu really benefitted from staying at the RJF Ward during their course of treatment. They had weeks of serial casting prior to their operations to correct clubfoot deformities. Coming from a far away region in the north, it was effortless to keep them here so they did not need to commute back and forth from their hometown for bi-weekly castings. Because of the RJW Ward, they went home after sixteen weeks with newly straightened feet and new casts. We look forward to seeing how those straight feet are holding up!

Seid and Abdu

Former CURE CEO Roger Spoelman visited the new RJF Ward as well! It was a pleasure having him visit with his team.

Roger Spoelman entertains with bubbles!

The ward was blessed and inaugurated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Roman Tesfaye. Roman has been a supporter of the hospital for the last five years. She was excited to visit the hospital and witness all of the changes. Along with the First Lady visit, we also had our partners from the Rees Jones Foundation, CBM, SIM, Black Lion Hospital, ICRC, Project Matrix, Alemachen, the U.S. Embassy, the Australian Embassy, and many others!

First Lady of Ethiopia, Roman Tesfaye, visiting with a patient in the ward

For the first time, we also presented CURE Ethiopia Ambassador, Brook, to our guest and supporters.

Brook addressing those gathered for the opening

Due to the unwavering support of the aforementioned stakeholders and our community, we’ve been able to continue aiding the children of Ethiopia and expanding hope to those we meet! The opening of the RJF Ward will continue to help us in healing children.

Trevor Rees-Jones greets a child in the ward