‘I often felt sad, longing to see my hands heal and work properly. Due to my burn scars, I couldn’t trust and believe in myself as my hands didn’t works like my friends.’

Witness, Grade 1 student, Majengo Primary School.

Last year, 5 year old Witness was playing with a wood burning fire at home, when her clothes caught on fire. She sustained severe burn injuries to her left arm and chest. She was able to receive emergency care nearby, but for ongoing treatment to address her burn scar contracture, she was referred to the Manyara Regional Hospital. The cost of specialist treatment and the distance of the 2-hour one-way journey made the medical care she needed inaccessible. When Witness’ mother was injured in a car accident at around the same time, the family faced significant hardship.

‘My community and my relatives have stigmatised me. People are superstitious, they believe that my family’s series of unfortunate events means that we are cursed. One of the things that hurt me the most, was seeing that my daughter wasn’t receiving the treatment that she needed. She would always ask me – Dad, will I recover? Will my arm ever be straight?’

Lukas, Witness’ Father.

Every year, hundreds of children like Witness come from all over Tanzania for free treatment at Kafika House. Based in Arusha, the facility provides a high-love, low-cost rehabilitative surgery programme for children with a range of disabilities that can be treated with surgery.

“Our services play a transformative role in the lives of these children, empowering them to achieve newfound independence post-treatment, including the ability to attend school and traverse long distances in their communities.’

Jackline, Rehabilitation Therapist at Kafika House.

For Witness, her first surgery on her left elbow in June was successful. She has an upcoming operation on her armpit, and she will remain at Kafika House until the end of August for her rehabilitative care. Her feeling of hope has returned.

‘I am thankful to Kafika House for treating me, and to So They Can for connecting us. Now I can see myself recovering. My dream is to become a nurse, so that I can save the lives of others‘.

Witness, Grade 1 Pupil at Majengo Primary School.

For the first time, in April 2024 So They Can facilitated Kafika House to conduct a school-based screening and assessment for children across all of our partner schools. 29 children, ranging from 2 months old to 15 years old, were confirmed to have conditions that are treatable by Kafika House. They have all been offered free treatment by Kafika House. So They Can facilitated their return travel from their home villages to Kafika House, 170 kms away.