In 2019, Dr. Patrick
Oben of MercyOne and Mandy Corliss, Director of Mercy Experience, joined forces
to strengthen ties between MercyOne and the Weccare Foundation. Mandy became
acquainted with the foundation’s pivotal role in performing transformative surgeries
on children with cleft conditions under the leadership of Dr. Sammy Oben.
Impressed by the profound impact of their initiatives, she introduced Dr. Sammy
Oben to the Mercy Foundation and Jacob DePauw, the Director of Clinical
Engineering at MercyOne.
Dr. Patrick and Jacob pinpointed opportunities to repurpose operational but discarded equipment from MercyOne Des Moines for Wecarre’s projects in their unified mission. Their dedication bore fruit when they secured a 2000-pound electric generator alongside essential batches of PPE.
Transporting the Equipment
Moving the generator from Mercy’s warehouse in Des Moines to Ankeny, Iowa, was no small feat, given the twenty-mile distance, the generator’s considerable weight, and the pressing timeline. Our determination led us to a specialized team for heavy equipment relocation. Millie Stevens(a resourceful acquaintance of Dr. P. Oben) and her crew also proficiently managed the rest of the items, including the PPEs. All this equipment patiently awaited its international voyage at Storage Mart, Ankeny, between April 2022 and June 2023.
Destination: Cameroon
The logistics of transporting such sizable equipment across states and then internationally presented unique hurdles. Some quotes shockingly reached $20,000 to move the equipment from Iowa to ports in Maryland or Georgia. However, Millie Stevens introduced the efficient solution of —a company called PODS—which amalgamates storage and transportation. With Dr. Sammy Oben overseeing the process, Elvis Betanga orchestrated the transatlantic transfer, ensuring that by mid-July 2023, the Hadassah Medical Center in Yaoundé graciously received the equipment.
The Mission's Heartbeat
A deep respect for the Wecarre Foundation and Dr. Sammy Oben’s steadfast dedication is at the core of this effort. I’ve observed Dr. Oben channel his deep love for the Lord Jesus into generously deploying his own resources and expertise to care for the poor and needy. Using external funds for charitable work is commendable, but it’s extraordinary when someone taps sacrificially into their resources to serve the poor and needy. Weccare Foundation is simply an embodiment or institutional expression of genuine compassion to care for the vulnerable, needy, and impoverished.
Our hope in this endeavor remains steadfast: we strive to impact souls we may never encounter in person through these contributions. In every gesture of kindness, we endeavor to radiate love, instill hope, and magnify the name of our Lord Jesus.
Become a volunteer
Join us to show more love and care
We are Weccare Foundation, an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families around the world. We work in the areas of health, education, and community development, and we believe that everyone deserves access to the basic necessities of life. We are looking for volunteers to partner with us in our work. Volunteers can help us in a variety of ways
