This week on the Change Makers series of African Voices, sponsored by Globacom on Cable News Network (CNN), three icons will share their experiences on bringing succour to people as the programme continues to excite viewers.
The trio of Odry Agbessi, first reconstructive and plastic surgeon of Benin descent; Denise Ambe, a Cameroonian electrical engineer and Ken Mwarandu, a Kenyan who founded SafariSeat will reveal what makes them tick.
Agbessi and Ambe are collaborators with Mercy Ships, the world’s largest charity-run hospital which travels to developing nations to provide free health-care and training.
Having studied a medical course in her country in 2001, Agbessi gained admission to a Moroccan university to specialise in plastic and reconstructive surgery and when in 2016, the African version of the Mercy ship arrived the Republic of Benin as Africa Mercy, Agbessi went on a mentoring programme onboard the ship and was one of those who operated on many burn contractures thereby, improving her skills.
Currently, Dr. Agbessi delivers training both at the National Teaching Hospital in Benin and onboard the Africa Mercy throughout West Africa. “I was happy when, after me, there were many other women studying surgery, even if not in the trauma department, but in general surgery. There are now three women surgeons in Benin!”
Born 30 years ago in Douala, Ambe who is equally known as Ngum holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical and Engineering Technology from the University of Buea, Cameroon. She has been on the Mercy Ship for about three years.
Ambe is delighted about her stint with the charity ship where “she considers it an honour to be one of those bringing hope, not only to the beautiful souls in Africa, but to those serving onboard where minds are being transformed to envision that same hope and to be a change maker in Africa.”
On his part, Mwarandu uses his project SafariSeat to provide low cost, revolutionary wheelchairs for disabled people in developing African countries.
The charity corps gives disabled people independence, unlocking access to education, employment and a life beyond the confines of their own home.
African Voices Change Makers is broadcast on DSTV on Friday at 9.30 a.m. and on Saturday at 12.30 p.m., 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. Other repeat broadcasts come up on Sunday at 5.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m., with more repeats on Monday and Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. respectively.
