A young boy in
Uganda who was in dire straits and needed urgent medical attention, was sped to a hospital by a Mission Aviation Fellowship plane.
Pilot Laura Westley describes the event:
'A three-year-old boy in the Karamoja region was in and out of a coma. I flew up there, airborne around one hour after receiving the call.
'We arrived at Matany, a dirt strip in the middle of the Karamajong. Curious people crowded around the aircraft and an anxious mother came forward, cradling little Timothy in her arms.
'The doctor and nurse with me used the back of the aircraft as a make-shift ward. It was so difficult to see this little boy convulsing, obviously so ill and his destitute mother in such distress.
'Just over an hour later we were airborne, navigating around thunderstorms, completing the distance in 1.2 hours instead of the 16-hour drive by road. The ambulance was waiting on landing and soon Timothy was off to hospital, his mother, Faith, praying desperately for his healing.
'I was thankful that our two little ones have a home and parents and someone to look after them. It helped to keep things in perspective!'
Laura updates, 'A week later, I received a call from the doctor who flew with us. The boy is still very ill, but out of a coma and managing to remain concious. They suspect possible brain damage as a result of malaria.'