CURE & ESS Universal Partner to Help Kids Heal
GRAND RAPIDS and HOLLAND, MI – September 24, 2026: Thousands of children will have greater access to life-changing surgical care at CURE International’s pediatric hospital in Zambia thanks to a partnership between two West Michigan-based organizations. ESS Universal has donated 21 industrial-grade adult-sized bunk beds and 42 mattresses to CURE, doubling its capacity to house patients and their loved ones during extended recovery.
CURE International is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Grand Rapids that operates a global network of eight charitable pediatric hospitals in Africa and the Philippines, providing expert surgical care at no cost to children in compassionate, Christ-centered environments. ESS Universal is a family-owned company based in Holland that builds and sells heavy-duty bunk beds. The two organizations have long histories of partnering with other nonprofits and companies to serve those in need. This partnership is unique because both companies’ global headquarters are so close to one another in West Michigan.
“Many children our hospitals treat require extended surgical recovery or prolonged care, which means their hospital stay can last several days or even weeks. To make the process as comfortable as possible, CURE provides a safe and inviting place for our patients and their loved ones who lack the financial resources to stay at a hotel for extended periods,” said Justin Narducci, CURE International President and CEO. “CURE—and by extension our patients—are blessed to have partners like ESS Universal who believe in our mission and roll up their sleeves to help.”
The new bunk beds will allow CURE Zambia to accommodate more children and their loved ones during surgical care and recovery, meeting a critical need as the hospital serves more children than ever before.
“As a family-owned and operated business, we are proud to support CURE International’s work to help kids heal by ensuring they and their loved ones have a comfortable bed to rest while in recovery,” said Phil Bouman, ESS Universal Owner and CEO. “Whether we’re helping a ministry, summer camp or first responders, ESS Universal is honored to support the organizations and people who strengthen and care for our communities.”
Through strategic partnerships with organizations like ESS Universal, CURE hospitals can provide surgical care to more children while giving their families a welcome place to heal.
About CURE International
CURE International is a Christian nonprofit network of children’s hospitals providing surgical care in a compassionate, gospel-centered environment. Services are provided at no cost to families and made possible by the generosity of donors worldwide. CURE hospitals provide life-changing care for children suffering from conditions such as clubfoot, cleft lip/palate, knock knees, bowed legs, and hydrocephalus. In addition to expert surgical care, CURE ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities. Since its first hospital opened in 1998, CURE has completed more than 5.7 million patient visits, 400,000 life-changing surgeries, and reached more than 2.5 million people with the gospel message. For more information, visit cure.org.
About ESS Universal
ESS Universal is a family-owned supplier of heavy duty commercial bunk beds, mattresses, storage, and accessories. Founded in 2014, the company serves organizations and communities across North America, furnishing more than 1,000 ministries and countless camps, first responders, employee housing, and other organizations. ESS Universal is committed to creating reliable sleeping environments and believes every person deserves a safe place to rest and the dignity that comes with a good night’s sleep. For more information, visit HeavyDutyBunkBeds.com.