CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe participated in the Disability Expo 2023, which took place in Gwanda in late June. The expo is an annual event that brings together people with disabilities (PWD), organizations that support PWDs, and government officials to showcase the abilities of PWDs and connect them with helpful services.
CURE Zimbabwe staff were available to answer questions about the hospital’s services and provide information on how people with treatable bone conditions and plastic surgery conditions can access care at CURE Zimbabwe.
Ropafadzo’s Story of Triumph over Adversity
We were delighted to bump into Ropafadzo, one of the CUREkids treated at the hospital, at the CURE Zimbabwe stand at the expo! Ropafadzo was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), a rare genetic disorder that makes her bones fragile and prone to breaking.
Her condition left her unable to walk, with broken bones often protruding from her skin. This caused visible wounds that took time to heal. Despite her intelligence and good grades, Ropafadzo was discriminated against at school.
Then she found CURE Zimbabwe! At CURE, Ropafadzo received life-changing surgery and treatment that helped strengthen her bones and improve her mobility. She is recovering well, and she and her family are happy with her incredible treatment and recovery progress.
CURE Zimbabwe Highlights New Possibilities
The expo was a great opportunity for CURE Zimbabwe to raise awareness about the hospital’s work and connect with people interested in supporting its mission. It also helped raise awareness about the challenges that people with disabilities face in Zimbabwe, such as limited access to education and employment, poverty, social exclusion, physical barriers, lack of assistive devices, and discrimination.
One of the highlights of CURE’s exhibit was a visit by the guest of honor at the expo, Hon. Paul Mavima, the Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare. The minister spoke about the importance of supporting people with disabilities and emphasized that the Ministry of Health and Child Care remains committed to partnering with CURE Zimbabwe.
“I am very impressed with the work that CURE Zimbabwe is doing,” said Hon. Paul Mavima. “My ministry and I are committed to working with the hospital to ensure that children with disabilities in Zimbabwe have access to the care they need.”
The CURE Zimbabwe staff was excited and grateful for the opportunity to showcase the hospital’s work. This included helping patients connect with CURE Zimbabwe and raising awareness about CURE Zimbabwe, among other organizations that also serve people with disabilities.
“It was a great opportunity to raise awareness about the hospital’s work and connect with people who are interested in supporting our mission,” said Jonathan Simpson, the Executive Director of CURE Zimbabwe.
If you are interested in supporting CURE Zimbabwe’s work through a donation of any kind, please click here.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe
Established in April 2021, CURE Zimbabwe is the first and only hospital in the country of 14 million people to provide orthopedic care for disabilities such as clubfoot, bowed legs, and knock knees to children regardless of their economic status. The teaching hospital has 18 beds, three operating theaters, and an outpatient clinic. The hospital was refurbished by the Zimbabwe Orthopedic Trust in partnership with the Zimbabwean government and is located adjacent to United Bulawayo Hospital in Bulawayo.
