MediGermany Clinicians

Christopher, Director of Training and Education, MediUSA returns to Rwanda and brings with him, Anne, Clinical Educator and Trainer from MediGermany. Their focus will be on helping our clinicians to initiate, advance and modify treatment as appropriate for patients in 2 of our clinics, plus some exciting custom shoe making plans as well! This work is crucial for creating sustainable and expandable practices throughout Rwanda. Thank you, medi for help for your support! Welcome Christopher and Anne! ❤️👣

 

Bazirushaka Jean Bosco

Bazirushaka Jean Bosco is a 50 years old male affected by podoconiosis, we received him at HASA clinic in June 19, 2023 with bilateral lower limb swelling with skin infection,mossy, nodules and a wound on the right limb which was not responding to treatments, he was unable to wear shoes since 20 years because of that swelling of both lower limb, we started with treating skin conditions focusing on hygiene and treatment of fungal infection then we tried to use compression garments and showed some improvements then the clinical team decided to apply cercaid and our shoes factory made a pair of custom shoes for him, by now there is a good progress for swelling,the wound is cured, he is happy for the improvement and very happy for putting on shoes after long time not wearing shoes, in addition he can perform his daily activity without that challenge of illness, he appreciates everything that HASA have helped him. As HASA team also we are happy for what we do make change to the lives of people that we are helping by improving their health condition. Thank you for everyone who make efforts to help people suffering from Podoconiosis.
Here are the pictures from the time we received him and his condition by now respectively.

5S GHRU-NIHR Podo Phase 2 Project

Team members of the 5S GHRU-NIHR Podo Phase 2 Project visited Rwanda on November 20, 2023, to conduct research. HASA and Ruhengeri Referral Hospital assisted in collecting blood samples from individuals who all live in the same community including patients who have podo, and family members and community residents who do not have podo. The samples will be studied to investigate why some individuals develop podo, while others do not. This will hopefully lead to an understanding of the exact cause of podoconiosis. This is exciting research, and HASA is thrilled to assist in facilitating this study. When you donate to HASA, you help support this kind of research.
Watch our video to learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKJPKCactBw&t=17s

Global Leadership Summit

“True leaders have a vision of something better, something more; and they care about people enough to help them see that vision, too. That’s what leads to changed businesses, changed churches, changed communities, and changed lives.”
HASA leadership staff attended the Global Leadership Summit in Kigali on November 3rd and 4th. This conference is the largest leadership experience in the world. It is offered on 6 continents, in 110+ countries, and in 55+ languages.
Pictured here are the women who lead HASA in Rwanda. Left to right are Country Clinic Director, Dukuzimana Josee, Economic Empowerment Manager, Esperance Nyiransabimana, Finance Manager, Ingabire Aline, and Country Program Director, Jeanne Uwizeyimana. They enjoyed the conference sessions, and shared that one was titled “The Future of Leadership is Trust: Transparency, Empathy, and Consistency”. These traits are demonstrated by HASA staff on a daily basis as they work to gain the trust of marginalized individuals who are affected by podoconiosis. Stay turned for great things to come from this group of phenomenal women. ❤️👣

Medi for Help

We love these smiles! Can you spot Christopher Miles, with Medi for help, in the photo? He recently joined HASA staff for podoconiosis prevention training in a primary school in Rwanda. The training sessions always end with our battle cry, “Stop Podo, Stop Podo, Stop Podo!!!”
You can help HASA win this battle! Education outreach is critical in our mission to eradicate podoconiosis in Rwanda. We currently partner with 2 primary schools to provide education quarterly. We provide a writing pen and notebook for each student, a cost of only about $1.00, and we typically have 150-200 students on each training day. So each training costs HASA about $200 for supplies, plus fuel costs for each visit.
🚌There are over 3,000 primary schools, with over 3,000,000 students in Rwanda. ✏️
We really need help! ❤️Your monthly donation would greatly help us defray these costs. Consider what you spend on one meal out, $10, $25, $50? Can you give up one meal per month to help us teach these children how to prevent this debilitating condition?

HASA Welcomes Christopher Miles

HASA welcomes Christopher Miles, OT, CLT, CWCA with medi for help to Rwanda. Country Program Director, Jeanne Uwizeyimana, Country Clinic Director, Dukuzimana Josee, and Compression Manager, Mutuyimana Jacques met Christopher at the airport in Kigali. Christopher is sharing his expertise with HASA to help improve delivery of compression treatment in the management of podoconiosis.

The Green Machine

The HASA Green Machine has new Bling! These eye catching wheel covers were made by a local vendor, Public Secretarial in Rwanda.
The Green Machine was purchased a little more than one year ago thanks to generous donations from HASA supporters. This vehicle helps HASA staff visit our 13 clinic sites, deliver medical supplies, and conduct research and education in communities all across Rwanda.

Distribution of soaps, socks, brushes and footfiles for podoconiosis patients

Heart and Sole Africa (HASA) is only one organization that provides health care services to those affected by podoconiosis in Rwanda. Studies revealed that an estimate of 10,000 people in Rwanda have podoconiosis. HASA has now registered 530 patients and those patients receive free of charge health care and socioeconomic services. Today, more than 100 patients have received soaps, brushes, footfiles and socks to be able to take care of their condition. Many thanks to our supporters for continuing to support HASA to serve more.

Skills development for treated podoconiosis patients.

Heart and Sole Africa is committed to not only provide free healthcare services to patients of podoconiosis but also empowering them economically. Ten treated men were trained in making special shoes for podoconiosis patients as it was a challenges to find fitting shoes for the swollen feet at local market and they have been also trained in making ordinal shoes as well for unaffected individuals to generate income for sustaining shoe project and the project is funded by GlobeMed, Amherst university chapter. As result, Heart and Sole Africa has recently launched shoes shop and all shoes in there are made by treated patients. Also nine young girls have been graduated for sewing fashionable bags where four of them were retained as employees and 5 were given start up package to run their own businesses.

Success story of Manishimwe Jean Damascene

Manishimwe Damascene is one among the first patients we met when launched Kinoni clinic. He is married and has three children. Damascene has been with podoconiosis for more than ten years. Her wife has rejected him because of podoconiosis complications including bad smell from his feet, oozing, inability to work, disfigurement of his legs and feet, etc. Damascene was seen first in 2014 and treated for podoconiosis whereby her feet have gained health and started working for others as daily laborer for his living. When her wife heard that her husband has gained strength to work and that his feet has becomes much better, she returned to him and they are peacefully living together. They have recently received a third child.