Kapuna has been working towards combining teams to serve village communities. Recently, a combined team of Medical, Days for Girls, and Drug and Community Transformation teams went, at the request of tribal leaders, to minister in this tribal area. This is Dr. Jessley’s update on their outreach.
Over six days, the team provided comprehensive health services to the communities, including:
- 632 outpatient consultations
- 499 immunizations for children under 5 years old
- 100 malaria tests (with 40% testing positive and treated)
- Antenatal care and ultrasound scanning for pregnant women
- Family planning services
- Minor surgical procedures for skin lumps
- TB follow-ups and sputum collection for testingCommon health issues seen included chronic tropical ulcers, persistent body pains, untreated long-term illnesses, malaria, and pneumonia—all reflective of the difficult living conditions and lack of access to healthcare.
In addition to medical care, the outreach also delivered crucial health education and spiritual support. Pastor Michael conducted drug and village transformation awareness sessions, and Racheal, a representative of the Days for Girls program, provided menstrual health education and reusable hygiene kits to adolescent girls and women.
Despite the physical challenges of the journey—paddling dugout canoes to reach a very isolated village, trekking through muddy trails, and falling off log bridges—the outreach was a resounding success, bringing healing and hope to these underserved communities.
The team returned encouraged by the resilience of the people and grateful for the opportunity to serve. This outreach not only brought physical healing but also strengthened the bond between isolated communities and the broader health and faith network by sharing the love of God.
