Some experiences in life defy words—moments so profound that they take root in your mind and heart, shifting your perspective in ways you don’t yet fully understand. My recent trip to Tanzania with Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach (WOGO) was one of those experiences. Since returning home, when friends and family ask, “How was your trip?” I find myself struggling to find the words.
Every patient and family member I met was incredibly kind and gracious, many stopping me to hold my hand or take my arm to say “Asante Sana”—thank you so much. We shared many hugs, countless smiles, and even tears of joy. The nurses and hospital staff were equally warm and welcoming. And yet, beyond those moments of connection, there was another feeling for me - one I am still trying to process. It’s not sadness for them but rather a deeper reckoning with my own privilege, which so many of us carry without realizing it. It’s not quite sadness but something else—a deeper awareness, an unsettling realization, a mixture of disbelief, humility, and personal gratitude followed by the quiet discomfort that comes with seeing the world differently.
Although I have spent decades working in under-resourced communities on Chicago’s South and West Sides, nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed in Tanzania—the lack of basic healthcare and deep inequities was startling. And yet, alongside these struggles, I also witnessed extraordinary generosity, resilience, and kindness. The beauty of the people I met—their warmth, their gratitude, their ability to embrace joy—has left me changed.
WOGO: Restoring Mobility & Independence
Dr. Linda Suleiman, the lead surgeon, guided a remarkable team of 10 surgeons and over 60 professionals, including nurses, doctors, and physical therapists. Together, this team of talented, all-female surgeons from across the United States completed 47 knee replacements at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center in Tanzania.
WOGO’s mission is to provide life-changing orthopedic surgeries to individuals who would otherwise never have access to such care. In the face of these disparities, organizations like WOGO are not just providing medical care but restoring dignity and independence.
Founded in 2009 by five pioneering female orthopedic surgeons, WOGO was built on the understanding that mobility is power. Arthritis, a condition that disproportionately affects women and is often overlooked in global health discussions, can strip individuals of their independence. For many of the patients treated by WOGO, debilitating joint disease had left them unable to work, care for their families, or participate in their communities.
By performing total joint reconstruction surgeries, WOGO not only restores movement but also empowers individuals to reclaim their independence and dignity. The organization’s vision is:
- To transform lives in underserved global communities by reducing the chronic burden of arthritis and disability through total joint reconstruction.
- To leave the communities we visit healthier, more knowledgeable, and inspired to reach beyond prior limits.
However, WOGO’s impact extends far beyond the operating room. Their work is guided by a philosophy of empowerment, education, and engagement:
- Empower – Providing free, life-changing orthopedic surgeries to restore mobility and independence.
- Educate – Training local surgeons and healthcare professionals to sustain long-term improvements in care.
- Engage – Serving as role models for young women, demonstrating the possibilities of education and professional achievement.
Dr. Suleiman’s leadership, WOGO’s mission, and collaboration with Soles4Souls reflect a philosophy of partnership rather than charity. They do not simply perform surgeries and leave; they invest in local healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that the impact of their work extends far beyond their time in the community.
This trip was a powerful reminder that meaningful change happens when people choose to care—when they refuse to be indifferent to the struggles of others. I am deeply grateful to Linda and the entire WOGO team for their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to restoring mobility and dignity. It was an honor to be part of this work.
Kafika House: A Community of Care
While in Tanzania, we had the opportunity to visit Kafika House, a place where healing extends far beyond medical treatment. As Sarah Rejman, the founder, shared with us, Kafika in Swahili means “to have arrived”—a name chosen to honor the mothers who come here after searching tirelessly for care for their children. It is a place where, after uncertainty and hardship, they finally find support, treatment, and hope.
I am especially grateful to Shawn Tylka, WOGO’s marketing and logistics lead, for organizing additional time for me to spend with their staff and the children at Kafika House. Spending extra time here allowed me to see firsthand how comprehensive their approach to care is. The work at Kafika House spans the entire healing journey—from preoperative nutrition support for children who arrive malnourished to coordinating complex surgical interventions and providing postoperative rehabilitation. They address illnesses rarely seen in the United States, such as skeletal fluorosis, a disorder caused by excessive fluoride consumption from unsafe drinking water that leads to severe bone deformities. Many of the children here were recovering from orthopedic surgeries, contracture releases, and infections like osteomyelitis—conditions that, with access to basic medical care, clean water, and early treatment, could have been prevented.
At Kafika House, there is an understanding that healing is not just physical. Many of these children have spent their lives hidden away. Arriving at Kafika House is often the first time they have consistent meals, a safe place to play, access to education, and the simple joy of being surrounded by peers. The Mama’s Education Program plays a critical role in this transformation. It not only teaches caregiving skills and health education but also empowers mothers to become advocates for their children and leaders in their communities, challenging harmful stigmas and ensuring that more families seek care.
Despite the hardships these families have endured, what I witnessed was not despair but resilience. I had the privilege of learning from Keira, the on-site occupational therapist and rehabilitation manager, whose work embodies the belief that rehabilitation is not just about mobility—it’s about restoring dignity, agency, and hope. The staff at Kafika House are not just treating conditions- they are changing futures. By training local women to assist in clubfoot and debridement clinics, ensuring that Mama’s play an active role in daily life, and providing education as part of recovery, they are building a model of sustainable, community-driven care.
Kafika House is more than a medical facility. It is a reminder of what is possible when communities are given the resources to care for themselves. It is a place where children are not defined by their conditions but by their potential. And it is a place I will carry with me for a long time.
We Are All Connected: A Moral Imperative
Reflecting on my time in Tanzania, I realize that this experience was not just about service—it was about connection. It was about recognizing our shared humanity and understanding that someone else’s suffering should matter to us. It was a reminder of how much opportunity and well-being are shaped by the circumstances we are born into. Access to clean water, medical care, and education shouldn’t be a privilege, yet for many people, it still is.
The world does not go wrong because of the evil of a few but because of the indifference of many. This experience has deepened my awareness of how interconnected we all are. It’s easy to get caught up in the routine of daily life, but stepping into a different reality and having the opportunity to literally and figuratively walk WITH someone—where basic medical care is out of reach for so many—puts things in perspective.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Linda Suleiman and WOGO for allowing me to be part of this journey and to the patients, families, and healthcare providers in Tanzania who shared their experiences with me. This trip left me with a greater appreciation for the power of community, resilience, and the ways we can support one another—even across continents.
And I am forever changed.
If you are interested in learning more about these incredible organizations, please visit their websites and consider making a contribution to their work.
