Fr. Arkado, my fellow missionary here at Olbalbal is a member of The Society of African Missions. His group has a project to help the handicapped called “Project Smile.” This effort provides funds for operations that would otherwise be impossible for struggling Maasai families. Recently, Fr. Arkado took three mothers with their children to Salien hospital in Arusha to take advantage of Project Smile’s offer of help. During their treatment and recovery they be cared for by Plaster House. Sara Rejman from Australia runs the Plaster House and usually has over a hundred children and their mothers in her care, waiting for or recovering from various kinds of medical procedures.

The three children that Arkado took from Olbalbal this week are, Loserian, an infant of less than a year with a hair lip and cleft palate. Loserian is to undergo his final operation to correct these conditions

Saruni, just a year old, has a club foot and wears a brace when he sleeps at night to straighten his feet. Arkado takes him to the hospital for progressive adjustment of his brace every couple of months. Saruni’s feet are just about straight now.

Another little boy, the son of Nashiru and just a few weeks old, was born with his fingers joined together. He is have his fingers separated.

It is a great project and has helped a significant number of children here at Olbalbal and elsewhere.