Africa Surgery

03/27/2026

Bringing Light Back Into Mariatu’s World

While visiting a small fishing village on February 21 to check on one of our sponsored students, we met Mariatu Kanu. Her eyes were nearly covered by a severe pterygium growth, leaving her on the brink of blindness. We brought Mariatu back with us to our base in Freetown, where she underwent surgery on both eyes at the Lowell and Ruth Gess United Methodist Eye Hospital....

While visiting a small fishing village on February 21 to check on one of our sponsored students, we met Mariatu Kanu. Her eyes were nearly covered by a severe pterygium […]

03/27/2026

From Donation to Diagnosis: Tools That Change Lives

Among the supplies in the 20-foot container were five second-hand, hospital-grade laboratory microscopes—purchased at a bargain price from Rutgers University. One has already found a meaningful home. We placed it in the hands of Santigi Kamara, a wheelchair-bound patient recovering from spinal surgery who now lives at our base. Despite his challenges, Santigi is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory at the College of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone, and is just one year away from graduation....

Among the supplies in the 20-foot container were five second-hand, hospital-grade laboratory microscopes—purchased at a bargain price from Rutgers University. One has already found a meaningful home. We placed it […]

03/27/2026

The Welder Who Waited—Now Rolling Forward

Three years ago, we delivered five mobility carts to a group of polio survivors who live and work together as metal workers on the outskirts of Freetown. Among them was Sorie Turay, a skilled welder who helped assemble the very carts his friends would use—despite the fact that both of his own legs are affected by polio. At the time, there weren’t enough carts for everyone, and Sorie went without....

Three years ago, we delivered five mobility carts to a group of polio survivors who live and work together as metal workers on the outskirts of Freetown. Among them was […]

03/26/2026

Many Hands, One Mission: Delivering Critical Aid to Freetown

On February 7, two shipments—a 40-foot container and a 20-foot container—arrived together at our base in Freetown. Sent from Assumption Church in Morristown, NJ in November and December, both containers were successfully cleared through customs and delivered without issue. Inside were life-changing supplies: wheelchairs, crutches, four battery-powered wheelchairs, medical equipment, adult diapers, and much more. These generous donations came from the Medical Equipment Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Pluckemin, NJ; Union Hill Presbyterian Church in Denville, NJ; St....

On February 7, two shipments—a 40-foot container and a 20-foot container—arrived together at our base in Freetown. Sent from Assumption Church in Morristown, NJ in November and December, both containers […]

03/26/2026

Two Years of Pain, One Beautiful Smile

Aminata Kamara, just 6 years old, endured a painful bilateral infection in her lower jaw for two long years while living in a very remote village. Day after day, she lived with constant discomfort, far from any access to proper medical care. After coming to our base in Freetown with her mother and uncle, everything began to change. In just one month, under the care of an oral surgeon, Aminata’s pain was lifted, the infection was gone, and her smile—once overshadowed by suffering—returned.

Aminata Kamara, just 6 years old, endured a painful bilateral infection in her lower jaw for two long years while living in a very remote village. Day after day, she […]

03/23/2026

In a few words... -

Osman Kanu went to Ghana three times for spinal surgery over the past 13 years. He was subsequently trained as a tailor. He is now sewing face masks to be used when COVID-19 spreads throughout Sierra Leone.

03/20/2026

In a few words...let my pictures speak louder than my words - https://mailchi.mp/db013d74fa6b/tom-johnson-is-sending-you-an-update-from-sierra-leone-10348008

02/02/2026

I am back in Sierra Leone... -

Osman Kanu went to Ghana three times for spinal surgery over the past 13 years. He was subsequently trained as a tailor. He is now sewing face masks to be used when COVID-19 spreads throughout Sierra Leone.

01/30/2026

I am back in the trenches...in Sierra Leone

12/04/2025

We have another matching contribution: your donation will count double! -

Osman Kanu went to Ghana three times for spinal surgery over the past 13 years. He was subsequently trained as a tailor. He is now sewing face masks to be used when COVID-19 spreads throughout Sierra Leone.

12/02/2025

Do not miss: Morristown Christmas Market 2025

12/02/2025

We have another matching contribution: your donation will count double! We'll see you at the Morristown Christmas Market- https://mailchi.mp/13be7c9fb67e/tom-johnson-is-sending-you-an-update-from-sierra-leone-10343589