2024 CURE Children's Hospital of Zimbabwe Annual Report
Prayer is an important part of CURE’s spiritual ministry.
PURPOSE
CURE provides world-class surgical care to the world’s most vulnerable children for the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel.
VISION
A world where children living with disabilities reach their full potential through God’s hope and healing.
MISSION
To heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God. — Luke 9:2
and statistics cited throughout this report reflect CURE’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), which ran from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
Spiritual Director Grace Mangwende encourages Perfect in Timmy’s Playroom.
IA LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jonathan Simpson
am pleased to present the annual report for CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe for FY2024. This report highlights our significant achievements and milestones over the past year. Thank you for your generosity and support.
In FY2024, CURE Zimbabwe continued our mission to provide quality orthopaedic and plastic reconstructive care to children across the country. We are grateful to have served 3,208 patients, highlighting the increasing trust and confidence in our services. Our dedicated team of 108 staff members, including two clinical surgeons, worked tirelessly to ensure every child received the care they needed.
A key highlight of the year was the successful completion of 1,057 surgical procedures. These life-changing surgeries have enabled children to walk, run, play, and gain confidence in themselves. And our commitment to comprehensive care extends beyond the operating room. We reached 13,768 people with the gospel, and 966 individuals made decisions to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This shows the positive impact of our work on both the physical health and spiritual well-being of our patients and their families.
CURE Zimbabwe’s impact is not limited to direct patient care. We have also invested in training for healthcare professionals in and around Zimbabwe. By training 295 individuals, we contributed to elevating the quality of healthcare throughout the country.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to providing hope and healing to children in Zimbabwe. Your continued support is essential in transforming the lives of children with life-limiting but treatable disabilities.
Thank you for your support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Simpson Executive Director, CURE Zimbabwe
OVERVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2024
KEY PROGRAM STATISTICS IN FY24 PROCEDURES PATIENT VISITS PEOPLE REACHED WITH THE GOSPEL
966 1,127 total since inception DECISIONS FOR CHRIST
3,208 9,384 total since inception PATIENT VISITS 27,274 total since inception 13,768 PEOPLE REACHED WITH THE GOSPEL
CURE Zimbabwe is part of a Christian nonprofit organization that operates a global network of children’s hospitals pairing worldclass surgical care and counseling to serve children living with treatable disabilities and their families.
Bulawayo ZIMBABWE
CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe Bulawayo
Harare ZIMBABWE
PARTNERING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
CURE Zimbabwe has performed almost 3,000 surgeries since opening our doors in 2021. This wouldn’t have been possible without our partnerships with local organizations and businesses.
For example, our partnership with World Vision Zimbabwe has proved invaluable since it began in 2023. The organization identifies children with treatable disabilities in need of surgery and provides transportation for them to CURE Zimbabwe for treatment. Without the transportation, these children would not have been able to come to CURE Zimbabwe for life-changing surgery.
Local companies have also stepped up in inspiring ways. Ingwebu Breweries generously donated their product Ingwebu Royal Mahewu, a traditional African drink made from fermented maize-meal porridge. Ingwebu’s Royal Mahewu is a refreshing and nutritious
nonalcoholic beverage that has been nourishing our patients during their recoveries.
And a generous financial contribution of USD 22,500 from our faithful partner Stanbic Bank will directly fund 15 surgeries, giving children with life-limiting disabilities the chance to heal and thrive.
These partnerships exhibit the power of local businesses and organizations working together to achieve a greater goal for the communities they serve. CURE Zimbabwe is open to joining hands with companies willing to partner in this mission of helping kids heal.
left: World Vision Zimbabwe helps identify and transport patients in need of treatment.
right: Patients and caregivers pose in the new ward with bottles of nutritious Ingwebu Royal Mahewu.
HELPING MORE KIDS THROUGH LIMB RECONSTRUCTION TRAINING
CURE Zimbabwe is thoroughly committed to providing life-changing care for children with limb conditions. This year, CURE Zimbabwe took a significant step forward in this mission by hosting a training session on limb reconstruction.
The training brought together 25 dedicated medical professionals from across Southern Africa, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Led by Dr. Sam Weston-Simons, CURE Zimbabwe’s Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, and a team of esteemed international specialists, the training focused on innovative techniques using Ilizarov and hexapod frames.
TRANSFORMATIVE TOOLS, TRANSFORMATIVE OUTCOMES
These external fixators, which resemble scaffolding around the limb, utilize rings, wires, and pins to correct orthopedic conditions and lengthen bones gradually. For children facing amputation or limited mobility due to limb conditions, these frames offer the opportunity to regain function and live fulfilling lives.
Dr. Sam shows medical staff how to manipulate the Ilizarov frame on Peter, a young patient being treated for a foot ulcer.
The training delved into the intricacies of installing and applying these frames in various scenarios. Participants gained valuable practical experience by physically setting up the frames, while the diverse backgrounds of the facilitators enriched the learning experience. This crossborder collaboration ultimately strengthens healthcare systems across the region.
BUILDING A LEGACY OF CARE
The limb reconstruction training demonstrates CURE Zimbabwe’s dedication to building a robust healthcare system with a wider outreach. Equipping regional medical professionals with these advanced techniques ensures more children in need have access to life-changing treatments like Ilizarov frame therapy.
The story of Peter, an 11-year-old patient at CURE Zimbabwe, beautifully illustrates the impact of these techniques. Peter is currently undergoing treatment for a foot ulcer. The Ilizarov frame is helping heal his bones, offering him a future free from pain and limitations.
We at CURE Zimbabwe express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated partners—the Royal College of Surgeons of England, CURE International UK, and ZANE UK—for their invaluable support in making this impactful training a reality.
Through this and other collaborative efforts, we are building a brighter future for healthcare in Zimbabwe and beyond by offering transformative surgical care, the love of Jesus, and hope to those who need it most.
Medical professionals at the training learn to assemble an Ilizarov frame.
LUNGISANI: THE BOY WHO FOUGHT A CROCODILE
Thirteen-year-old Lungisani still struggles to wrap his mind around the terrifying encounter that left him with a broken leg.
Like many children in his village, Lungisani spent his days helping his family herd cattle. One scorching afternoon, thirst struck him and his friends, leading them to the Shangani River in search of water.
Lungisani smiles as he receives a Bible from the spiritual ministry department.
THE JAWS OF A PREDATOR
The Shangani River is notorious for its strong currents, treacherous slippery rocks, and vicious crocodiles. Tragedy struck in a split second. As the kids entered the river, a large crocodile pounced on Lungisani, grabbing him by his leg and pulling him into the water. Panic and fear gripped him as his friends fled to safety, leaving him alone in a desperate struggle.
Fortunately, Lungisani’s strength and quick thinking saved him. He spotted a nearby tree and grabbed its roots just as the crocodile began to tire. Finally, the beast released its grip, leaving Lungisani with a crushed leg. A passing adult witnessed the attack’s aftermath, called for help, and alerted Lungisani’s father. Lungisani was rushed to a local hospital in an ambulance.
The hospital provided first aid and blood transfusions but couldn’t offer much more
“I HAVE NEVER OWNED A BIBLE BEFORE ... I HAVE COME TO KNOW CHRIST. NOW I WANT TO RELATE WITH HIM, AND I WANT TO GO TO CHURCH.”
--- Nhlanhla, Lungisani’s father
Lungisani, with his father, learns to walk on his newly repaired leg.
help. The crucial surgery to fix his broken leg remained out of reach, and he left the hospital. Enduring excruciating pain and unable to attend school, Lungisani faced an uncertain future.
FINDING HOPE AT CURE ZIMBABWE
Fortunately, during a follow-up visit at the local hospital, a nurse referred them to CURE Zimbabwe and transformed Lungisani’s life.
After undergoing three surgeries and having an Ilizarov frame affixed to his leg to ensure proper healing, Lungisani spent three months
recovering in CURE Zimbabwe’s long-stay ward. He received specialized treatment, medication, and compassionate care from the hospital’s clinical staff. This care, provided at no cost to Lungisani and his family, came as a huge relief as they had exhausted their financial resources seeking treatment at local hospitals.
Lungisani also encountered the spiritual ministry team, who shared the message of Christ with him. The experience deeply moved both Lungisani and his father, Nhlanhla, and they made the life-changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Nhlanhla expressed his gratitude for the experience. “I have never owned a Bible before,” he remarked. “The work the pastors are doing in this place is great. I have come to know Christ. Now I want to relate with him, and I want to go to church.” CURE Zimbabwe is also working on connecting Lungisani and his dad to a faith community.
Lungisani diligently performs his assigned physical therapy exercises and has regained his ability to walk.
Thanks to the support of our faithful donors, CURE Zimbabwe offers a brighter future to children like Lungisani after they’ve faced unimaginable trauma.
CURE Zimbabwe staff gathered in front of the hospital.
HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jonathan Simpson
Executive Director
Dr. Sarah Hodges
Lead for Anesthesia & Critical Care
Faith Gondwe Human Resource Manager
Dr. Bhekinkosi Swene Doctor in Charge
Grace Mangwende Spiritual Director
Thulani Ndlovu Facilities Manager
Martin Chipimo Programs Manager
Wilson Kakumura Quality & Patient Safety Manager
Edith Mutsatsa Nurse Manager
Terrence Kandiado Finance & Admin Manager
JOIN US
REFER A CHILD
CURE Zimbabwe welcomes patient referrals.
If you know of a child who could benefit from the services offered by CURE Zimbabwe, please contact us or bring the child to our clinic during planned hours. Our contact information is listed on the back cover.
GIVE
All medical care is provided through the generous contribution of CURE donors, our nonprofit partners, and insurance programs. Children will be treated by our clinical team without charge or debt created. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring a child’s surgery or a mobile clinic.
PRAY
We believe that God alone is the source of changed lives and transformed communities. Please join us in asking for God’s healing for the children we serve.
Thank you for sharing in our mission to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God!
Address Old Esigodini Rd and Kenwood Rd Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
