The association

 

In 2005, Caap Afrika, the young Monegasque “NGO” (Non Governmental Organization) managed to give back an upright standing position to a 10 year old Senegalese child, condemned too early by his doctors to a wheelchair. The money collected made it possible to operate and then to rehabilitate this child enabling him to get his autonomy and dignity back.

Cases like this little boy are countless in Africa because more than the equipment, it’s the qualified experts who are missing.

For example, in Niger, there are 3 orthopedic surgeons for 15 million inhabitants… Thousands of handicapped people are awaiting a surgical operation.

Instead of getting merely sentimental, Caap Afrika has used the five years experience spent in the Niger for surgical missions, to identify the needs of this country for post-traumatic effects and to try to find practical, pragmatic and effective solutions.

To summarize in one word the new challenge of Caap Afrika: Training.

During five years we will give to interns in general surgery from Niger, the assets to help the ongoing flow of injured patients which keep coming into the National Hospital of Niamey.

Each candidate shall follow during one year an intensive surgical training process in Monaco and in some French CHU’s and will receive a university diploma. The original aspect of this action holds mainly to the fact that not only the given tuition will be “fitted for” taking in consideration the established needs of the student’s country – through a video-teaching via internet (video-conferences, staff meetings, help for therapeutical decisions…) for at least four other years – but also by on-site evaluations by medical missions conducted corollary with the Monaco Red Cross and the Princess Grace Foundation.

We need resources to bring that project to a successful conclusion. Travel fares for the students, granting scholarship-contracts, registration fees for the diplomas (to specialize in micro-surgery, hand repairing surgery…), allowing to create means of communication with their referents in Monaco and to perpetuate the system with an ongoing supply of learnings.

Meanwhile, the technological set up for assisting the surgical missions will be used efficiently and therefore shall be made profitable sooner. In order to build the foundation of a strong financial structure, Caap Afrika undertakes actions in ways that we hope to be positive. All the volunteers of this association, coming from various horizons, enrich the group with their special competences in diverse fields. Thanks to the efforts of all, we shall try hard to carry through this useful and substantial project towards successful and long lasting results.