…Perform 6 surgeries, 250 glasses to community
By Chigozie Uzosike
A reputable and internationally recognized Non-Governmental Organization, Mission Africa has in collaboration with Ase Action Group (AAG), offered another free medical service to 483 people of the Ase community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State in Nigeria.
A total of 250 free eye glasses were given to patients with Keratitis, Conjunctivitis, Pterygium, Glaucoma, Presbyopia, and Refractive errors and six minor surgeries of damaged degenerated sebaceous cyst of the scalp, large lipoma of the lumbar area, giant inguinosaotal hernia, large direct inguinal hernia, excision of gaulion sebaceous cyst in middle finger and funginoscital hernia were performed on site by Mission Africa team of volunteer doctors.
A beneficiary, 80yrs old Pa Gabby Ogbome, a retired banker who received free excision of gaulion sebaceous cyst in the middle finger, which he said gave him a lot of discomfort since the unusual cyst grew on his fingers, thanked Mission Africa and prayed for more sponsors to be able to reach out more to villagers with no access to medical services.
Speaking during the outreach, the Executive Director of Mission Africa, Ndudi Ikoro Chuku informed that Mission Africa has always been known for making impacts and changing lives, one village at a time, adding that their team of dedicated volunteers is always delighted anytime there is an opportunity to serve.
Over 60 Mission Africa volunteers served at this free medical outreach including a team from the United States – Chizaram Chuku, Ebere Winston and Akunna Amaefule, a team of 10 from Lagos, Nigeria led by Dr. Abiodun Ajayi Majebi, and some members of Ase Action Group.
According to Ndudi Chuku, their return to the Ase community was prompted by the report generated from last year’s free medical outreach to this same community, create a baseline to track Mission Africa’s progress in their healthcare focus area and to seek a permanent solution to the very high number of eye diseases among the villagers of Ase.
One of the highlights of event was the cultural reception given to Mission Africa by the Afukwe and Agueze Masquerades and dances and the little girls dance group who zealously displayed their talents/skills.
Mission Africa was said to have also brought peace and some level of conflict resolution to the community, by bringing together four clans who have been in conflict for 6 years, to dance together as they welcomed Mission Africa. This was a significant milestone to the people of Ase.
Ase, a Bini name which means “Goodness”, is located in the rain belt at the bank of the Ase River, which bursts out from the great and vast River Niger at Asaba- Ase. Ase is a bi-lingual town with Ebō as the main language and, fluently speaks Isoko language as well. The major occupations of the people are fishing and farming with yam and fish being their high produce.
In an interview with the leader of Ase Action Group, Mr. Nzefili Collins Osugo, who informed that the group was made of up good spirited sons and daughters who meant well for their community also said that there was need for a return adding that he was satisfied with the huge turn-out and hoped for more subsequent projects.
Mission Africa was founded in 2006 by Ndudi and her husband George Chuku also present at the event, to tackle social problems in Nigeria and has since spread to nine countries in Africa; Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Togo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, with three core areas – Education, Health Care and Poverty Alleviation.
While poverty alleviation is still at its growing stage, Mission Africa offers six year secondary education scholarships in addition to backpacks, reading materials and currently have 50 students in Nigeria under their education scheme.
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