Our Lasting Solutions

Our health-care projects are structured in a way that helps people of all ages get the medical attention that they need. We bring smiles, restore sight, detect cancer early and uplift the disabled in rural communities.

On one of our Eye Doctor flights, Lisa, a volunteer photographer had a heart-warming experience with an elderly patient who expressed his gratitude for the cataract surgery he received. He shared, “The doctors could have easily told me that I am too old. They could have said. ‘No, we would rather do surgery on someone who has a few years to spare.’”

It was our joy to be able to help this patient and to help many others, regardless of age.

As a country faced with a variety of inequalities, we all need to take the initiative to uplift others whichever way we can. Flying for Life does this by relieving communities in distress and advocating for the forgotten.

We embarked on a relief project to help some of those who were devastatingly affected by the lockdown brought about by COVID-19. The pandemic created a greater distance between people who normally live in isolated conditions and the services that they need. Flying for Life took the initiative to try and bridge some of the gaps.

 As part of the project, we provided food packs, clothes, and other essential items to families in need across Gauteng. Sarah’s family was one of those that we were able to help. Her husband, a construction worker, was unable to work or receive any income during this time. Their family had days when their meals came from eating small amounts of leftover foods from their neighbours’ pots. She also had to wrap her 3-month-old baby with their cut-up clothes as they were unable to afford nappies.

It was an honour to help bring relief to her family and make an impact in the lives of those affected where possible.

Not only do we strive to bring services to rural communities, but we also aim to equip the people with skills they need to meet their needs on their own. We do this by helping them access available job opportunities, developing their skills, and building economies.

Dr Hettie Kruger, who incidentally got to know about Flying for Life from colleagues at the hospital where she was stationed as a medical doctor during her community service, shared how a spark of interest turned into passion. Witnessing the work done by Flying for Life inspired her to pursue a career in ophthalmology and to serve rural communities.

“As there are no formal training institutions for doctors in ophthalmology in Limpopo, Flying for Life has been a platform for skills training and academic discussion during my first year working in ophthalmology. I intend to return to the most beautiful Vhembe District, to continue the good work that Flying for Life has started and hopefully to be involved in the training and encouragement of more doctors.”

Since her training, Dr Kruger has returned on many occasions to help those within the community where her passion started.

We hope to train and uplift more people in this way to empower the community as a whole.