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 "The prospect of helping hundreds of amputees in Sierra Leone regain their mobility is truly exciting," declared Winfried Danke, Prosthetics Outreach Foundation (POF) Executive Director. "They have waited so long for a chance to walk again and rebuild their lives." Mr. Danke’s remarks came as POF sent a 20-foot container from Seattle, Washington to Sierra Leone, West Africa, filled with prosthetic equipment and materials to outfit a rehabilitation center in Makeni, the country’s northern provincial capital.
The Prosthetics Outreach Foundation is partnering with the Sierra Leonean government to build, equip and manage a rehabilitation center in Makeni. Most of the amputees to be served by the center lost their limbs during a brutal decade-long war, where rebels randomly amputated the hands, arms and legs of innocent civilians. "We knew there was a great need in Sierra Leone for prosthetic services. The partnership will help fill this need and allow amputees to reclaim their dignity," confirmed Raymond Pye, POF Technical Director.
The container is scheduled to arrive in Sierra Leone in March 2006 to coincide with the completion of the building. POF will begin to serve amputees soon thereafter. "I cannot wait for my daughter to get a prosthetic limb and take her first steps," declared the mother of a two-year-old amputee. "I am so glad you will be here to help her." POF will assist up to 100 amputees in the first 12 months of operations.
Photographs:
At right: The final items are being loaded into the container prior to its shipment to Makeni, Sierra Leone.
Below: Prosthetics Outreach Foundation Board Director Ernest Burgess (left) and POF Executive Director Winfried Danke are on hand to see off the container of prosthetic equipment and supplies to Sierra Leone.
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