Restoring Hope, One Face at a Time — Life-changing Reconstructive Surgeries at AIC Kapsowar Hospital

By Anne Mbugua

High in the tranquil hills of Kapsowar, a quiet revolution of compassion is taking place. At AIC Kapsowar Hospital, a dedicated team of plastic and reconstructive surgeons is transforming lives through surgeries that bring healing, dignity, and hope to those who have endured unimaginable hardships.

Many of these patients arrive from South Sudan, where access to advanced surgical services is extremely limited. Among them are survivors of Noma, a devastating infection that attacks the mouth and face, causing rapid tissue destruction, severe disfigurement, and difficulties in eating and speaking.

A Mission Born from Compassion

This transformative initiative began with Dr. Bill Rhodes, a Medical Doctor and Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, and his wife Laura.

Over the past decade, the couple has served in Juba, South Sudan, through Samaritan’s Purse, offering cleft lip and palate surgeries to children and adults in need.

While performing cleft surgeries, Dr. Rhodes and Laura met many patients with more complex deformities — cases far beyond what could be managed in their temporary mission setup.

The couple faced constant challenges with time, equipment, and facilities. Yet their hearts remained burdened for those who came seeking help.

Bringing Patients to AIC Kapsowar Hospital

Determined to do more, Dr. Rhodes and Laura partnered with Samaritan’s Purse pilots to transport patients from South Sudan to AIC Kapsowar Hospital in Kenya. Here, patients could undergo the complex, staged surgeries they needed in a safe, well-equipped environment, supported by an experienced medical team.

AIC Kapsowar Hospital is now home to two American-trained, board-certified plastic surgeons, including Dr. Niles J. Batdorf, a specialist in reconstructive, hand, microvascular, and nerve surgery.

Together, Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Batdorf are performing life-changing operations that restore not just physical features, but lives.

Healing with Heart

At the core of this mission lies a powerful faith and compassion for “the least of these.”

“You only need to look at the life of Jesus to see who captured His heart, it was the least of these,” says Laura.

Dr. Rhodes reflects, “It’s been a pilot project to see how, from Kapsowar, we can reach out to some of the neediest parts of our planet, people made in God’s image, people who God loves. It’s exciting to be agents of His mercy and compassion.”