Mr Jean Kamano was unable to access Hope Clinic and its wholistic orthopaedic care – a two-day road journey away – until MAF flew him there in two hours.
Story by Joel Conte
Jean Tamba Kamano suffered a broken leg; something that is very common in Guinea, due to the quality of the road and the number of people using motorcycles.
“I find myself in a bit of a delicate state, because I had an accident and given my situation, I can't really take the road. That’s why I want to travel with MAF to go for my medical care,” said Jean.
The teacher, who delivers English lessons and serves in children’s ministry, feels a strong calling to his work.
“For me, it’s truly a gift from God, a call. And it's really a special choice, because the Bible says, ‘It is not you that chose me, but I, I, the Lord, chose you,’” Jean said.
Jean was taken to Hope Clinic in N’zao after the aircraft landed at the nearby airstrip in Nzérékoré.
Although the accident happened in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, Jean wanted to travel to the remote clinic because of the quality of care available and its good connections with the organisation he works for.
“I can't really afford to take the road because the road is very bad and travelling on this road will cause more damage to my leg than I have now. But I'm sure of my decision and I have faith with MAF that by this flight, it's going to relieve me a lot.”
Pilot Jonathan Blomberg, who flew Jean to Nzérékoré, was pleased that MAF could work with other organisations to connect the patient with quality care.
“Not only were we able to turn a two-day drive over bumpy roads into a two-hour flight, but multiple mission organisations, the local church, a hospital and MAF all worked together to provide this Christian man, an active leader in the church, with the best orthopaedic care in all of Guinea – along with prayer and the hope of his continued good work.
“It's a great privilege to serve God’s kingdom in whatever way we can,” said Jonathan.
The distance from the capital to the Nzérékoré forest region is 954 km along roads with unfavourable conditions.
“Given my condition, travelling the road would seem like an eternity to me,” said Jean. “But you see, in 2 hours, I was already in Nzérékoré with the MAF flight. And in less than 3 hours, I was already in the hands of the doctors. And then, the care had already begun.
“Being satisfied with the flight, I pray that the good works of MAF continue to expand in order to satisfy the needy.
“The whole process of the operation was perfect, and when I got out at the end, it’s the glory that only goes to the Lord, because He has protected me during and after the operating room.
“If I stayed in Conakry, I don't think that I would ever be able to walk very fast again. Yesterday, my foot was stretched out like that. Today, I can bend, I can tense, and I can put my foot on the ground.”
