Tragedy turned to Triumph in Tanzania

When Mama Rahma’s baby girl was born small and with osteogenesis, she faced rejection from her husband. But hope arrived when Mama Rahma discovered The Plaster House, and her baby was admitted for treatment.

Global Development Group’s project J717N The Plaster House/ Rehabilitative Surgery Programme aims to change the face of disability in Tanzania. Since its inception 15 years ago, nearly 10,000 children have received treatment and counting. Conditions treated include cleft lip and palate, fluorosis, club foot, burns, hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Stage 3 of the project commenced in January 2023. An evaluation of Stage 2 revealed excellent results – 2,613 children were treated, and many of their caregivers also received training.

During their five-month stay at The Plaster House, Mama Rahma learned many new skills in the Mama’s Education Program, including soap making, raising chickens, and sewing. She hopes

to make some money for her children from a small business. She is now a confident champion for other children with disabilities and is grateful for the help she and her baby received at The Plaster House.

GDG’s Josh Edwards and Daniel Watts monitored the J717N project in January 2023 and found that the team had substantially exceeded treatment goals for the past 3 years. With the registration of our in-country partner’s new international NGO and recent move to the Themi Hill facility, The Plaster House is now well placed for a 2023 expansion into the new areas of Moshi and Ngongoro. This will enable treatment to reach a greater number of children and reduce their travel distance to the rehabilitation centre.

Mama Rahma’s child is a testimony of The Plaster House, and she is empowered and grateful for the help she received.