14 | BBC NEWS
second chance A chance meeting between an Australian professor and Ugandan Pastor on a plane over a year ago, has seen a small Ugandan boy receive life-changing surgery. His story and unbelievable spirit has touched the lives of many, including the BBC community. In 2009 at the age of just two, George
this year Dr Winkle and a plastic surgeon, Dr
Prep class. For a child who has experienced
Mukisa fell victim to child sacrifice, a relatively
Scott Ingram, performed an operation to re-
such injustice, his attitude and infectious
new phenomenon which sees children live in
route George’s urethra and to revise previous
enthusiasm for life is simply inspiring,” said
fear of abduction by witch doctors who claim
reconstructive surgeries.
Prep Teacher Mr Maurice Awhy.
they can bring prosperity and power through
According to Professor Mitchell without the
During his stay Pastor Sewakiryanga also
surgery George was likely to develop chronic
spoke to the College’s Interschool Christian
The stories emerging from Uganda are
infections, renal failure and eventually die.
Fellowship group, sharing the work of his
unimaginable and in George’s case, whilst he
In a story epitomised by survival and
sacrificial rituals.
ministry and their plight to stop child sacrifice in Uganda.
managed to survive – thanks to passers-by
strength, George again amazed doctors,
who heard his cries – he was left severely
family and friends with his remarkable
mutilated.
recovery and it was this chain of events that
great injustices of child sacrifice in Uganda
saw Professor Mitchell contact BBC Chaplain
and particularly about the extreme challenges
replacement surgery, this eventually failed
Graham Cole to see if George could join
that will continue to surround George’s life. He
and the injuries sustained led to constant
BBC’s Prep class for the last few weeks of his
also focused on the confidence that he had in
discomfort and dangerous infections.
stay in Australia.
God being able to meet their desperate needs
Whilst doctors were able to perform
In 2010 on a plane trip from South Africa
“It is so exciting for our school to be an
to Australia, Executive Director of Kyampisi
instrument in God’s hand for the restoration of
Ministries Peter Sewakiryanga, happened
George’s life,” Rev Cole said.
to sit next to Geoff Mitchell, a Professor of
Suffice to say, George settled into the Prep
General Practice. After hearing of George’s
class quickly and made many friends in a very
terrible ordeal, Geoff approached friend and
short space of time.
Urological Surgeon David Winkle. In May
“It was a delight having George join our
Pastor Sewakiryanga spoke about the
through the generosity of others. above: pastor sewakiryanga with george in brisbane. image courtesy Paul Harris / Fairfax Syndication