Stories of Life
Read all about what we do, the people we help and the lives we impact.
A story of a young girl, and the dire need for change
One story stood out from the rest. This was the story of a young girl who had just turned 20. She entered the consultation room with a confused, unhappy, and downcast expression. She did not seem happy at all, unlike the other teenagers who came in pregnant or for a Pap smear. We asked her, "What are you here for? Pregnancy or Pap smear?" She replied, "Pregnancy." She was nervous and not too proud of herself; it was obvious. She said it was her first time being pregnant. We reassured her, telling her not to worry and that we would help her, encouraging her to feel comfortable.
You Are Seen
Below are some touching stories from the waiting room. In these expressions nestle the everyday hopes, dreams, and struggles of patients from rural communities in South Africa; you are a part of their hope. We want to thank you and commend you for your help towards these medical flights that bring breakthrough to so many. Here are a selection of testimonials:
Beautiful Eyes
Flying for Life uses your support to continue its monthly outreaches to rural Limpopo. By flying in medical volunteers the team can chip away at the ever-increasing waiting list for cataract removal surgery. Thank you for your investment in the lives of forgotten communities!
AFRICA HEALTH 2023 - Save Your Seat
Save your seat: Connecting the African healthcare and laboratory community for a sustainable and innovative future. Africa Health 2023
The Power of Dedication
The lights suddenly went off with a boom! Loadshedding had caught the surgical team unawares, and Dr Pons was at a critical point in the surgery with instruments inside Nicho’s eye. The room went dark, all the equipment was dead, and the microscope was off.
There’s a Whisper in the Villages… It Speaks of HOPE
By Inako Beshe
A lot of people in my area testified that they have been helped by Flying for life, that is how I got to know about it. It would be great to have the organisation visit more often as it brings hopes into our lives again.
The Right to Health Care in our Country
Promoting Good Health and Well-Being in our country. Get an insight into how you can make a difference.
Really, time flies! Get it? It’s our 10-year Anniversary!
It’s Flying for Life’s 10-year anniversary! Here’s to the next decade with you.
A Vision for the Sightless
Rural communities are often understaffed and lack resources. Flying for Life gained insight into what it looks like to work in such circumstances from rural healthcare workers’ perspective.
Vision: A symbol of hope
Rural communities are often understaffed and lack resources. Flying for Life gained insight into what it looks like to work in such circumstances from rural healthcare workers’ perspective.
Uplifting Rural Limpopo
Work-intensive projects require a strong team. Get insight into what we got up to on our recent multi-project flight in rural Limpopo!
Seeing Through The Eyes Of An Optometrist
Restoring sights is one of our core values. We were able to help 120 patients on our latest eye care project. Let’s explore what that looked like for our optometrist!
Volunteers: Love In Motion
Volunteers are essential to our work at Flying for Life. We are happy to share our findings on how giving back impacts their lives!
The Power of Storytelling
One of the ways in which our community at Flying for Life grows is through storytelling. We have been able to come this far through the stories we share, the stories our partners share, and stories from the people in the communities we help.
Uniting Against a National Crisis
South Africa is battling a number of calamities, with cancer being one of the most prominent. Early cancer detection is our hope in coming out victorious in this battle…
Flying Miles to Bring Smiles
On the 8th of June 2021, we hit a record amount of dental patients in 2 days. A total of 61 extractions took place, bringing much relief to the patients who had been so desperately needing this intervention. Here’s the story…
An Eye-Opening Experience
The gift of sight is something that many of us take for granted daily. The mere ability to see our loved ones is a gift on its own. Our eyes are sometimes even called the window to our souls.
Seeing to Believe
With some individuals in Venda being on the waiting list for as long as three years, 290,000 South Africans are at risk of going blind due to cataracts. This is where Flying for Life steps in.
A Journey to be Witnessed
In the most isolated and rural areas of Vhembe, Limpopo, men and women queue for hours and travel for days all for one thing – sight.
Hope for the Hopeless
In many places in South Africa, large families are forced to “isolate”, often in very small dwellings. This is the case for Sarah* and her family.