AIC-CURE International
Children's Hospital
Kenya, Africa
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
AIC-CURE International Children's Hospital, located in Kijabe, Kenya, was established in 1998. Initially opened as the AIC Bethany Crippled Children’s Centre of Kenya, the hospital was renamed in 2006 to better reflect the partnership between the Africa Inland Church (AIC) and CURE International. The hospital was founded with the mission to provide high-quality orthopedic care to physically disabled children in Kenya and to train local orthopedic surgeons, Today, AIC-CURE is a 30-bed pediatric orthopedic hospital that specializes in treating children with conditions such as clubfoot, polio, TB of the spine, congenital conditions like scoliosis and osteogenesis imperfecta, and burn contractures. The hospital also provides plastic and ENT surgeries. AIC-CURE is renowned for its role in medical education, training Kenyan physicians and nurses in pediatric rehabilitation medicine. The hospital performs over 2,500 surgeries annually and hosts a pediatric orthopedic training program in partnership with the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA).
Technology & Capacity:
AIC-CURE supports advanced medical technology, including four operating rooms equipped for complex pediatric surgeries. The hospital's medical team includes visiting ENT specialists from the United States who perform surgeries such as cleft lip and palate repairs. The hospital has a dedicated pathology department with its own housing for visiting pathologists. Medical records and teaching materials are primarily in English, facilitating the training of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Church and Governance:
The hospital is operated by CURE International in collaboration with the Africa Inland Church (AIC). CURE International is one of the largest international providers of surgical and rehabilitation services for children in developing countries. The hospital’s mission is to provide “first world” quality care while addressing the spiritual needs of patients and their families through comprehensive care and evangelism.
Training Opportunities:
AIC-CURE offers extensive training programs for medical professionals. The hospital partners with COSECSA to provide residency and fellowship programs in pediatric orthopedics. The hospital also hosts visiting medical professionals who contribute to the educational mission by providing mentorship and specialized training. Volunteers are welcomed to participate in both clinical services and teaching.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons
Plastic Surgeons
ENT Surgeons
Nurse Practitioners
Physical Therapists
Anesthesiologists
Language:
Swahili and English are the official languages of Kenya. All medical staff at AIC-CURE speak English fluently, and translation services are available for Swahili and other local dialects. Medical records are written in English.
Housing & Food:
Volunteers are housed in modern, comfortable homes, duplexes, or apartments near the hospital. Accommodations include kitchen equipment, hot water, and electricity. Volunteers are responsible for their own meals, though initial dinners are often provided by other staff members. Most basic food items are available in Nairobi, but convenience foods are limited.
Travel:
Visitors typically fly into Nairobi and then drive approximately an hour to Kijabe. The drive includes a steep, winding, narrow but paved road off the main Nairobi/Nakuru highway. The hospital’s logistics team assists with travel arrangements and provides orientation upon arrival.
Time Difference:
+7 hours daylight saving time; +8 hours Eastern Standard Time.
People and Local Religion:
The population served by AIC-CURE includes diverse ethnic groups from across Kenya. The hospital serves a predominantly Christian population, with Protestant and Catholic communities being the majority. Some remote tribes practice animism and spirit worship, and there are also smaller Muslim and Hindu communities.
Climate:
Kijabe, meaning “Place of the Winds” in the Masai language, experiences strong winds with generally pleasant days around 80°F and cool, windy nights around 55°F. The region has two rainy seasons: long rains from March to June and short rains from October to December. The high altitude (7,200 feet) contributes to a cooler climate with periods of mud during the rainy seasons.
Unique Challenges:
AIC-CURE addresses a range of orthopedic and surgical conditions including bowed legs, burn contractures, cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, genu valgum (knock knees), osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), untreated trauma, and windswept legs. The hospital provides world-class surgical care to children regardless of their economic status, ethnicity, or religious background.
Evangelism Opportunities:
AIC-CURE integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, ensuring that every patient and family member hears the gospel. The hospital provides holistic care, ministering to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities. Volunteers have opportunities to engage in medical service and evangelism, contributing to the hospital’s mission of healing and spiritual outreach.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit AIC-CURE Children's Hospital.