BONGOLO

HOSPITAL

Bongolo Hospital has served the people of Gabon since its opening in 1977. Dr. Wendy Hofman, a missionary ophthalmologist, and her husband Eric have been serving at Bongolo Hospital since 2009. The eye ministry there serves the people of Gabon and, through their ophthalmology residency program, trains African doctors that can be part of the solution for the future of eye care in Africa.  GEM supports the program at Bongolo Hospital through regular financial support for the Hofmans as well as grants, donations of supplies and equipment and networking for volunteer surgeons.

ABOUT

WENDY AND ERIC

Wendy is an ophthalmologist, and she heads the eye clinic at Bongolo. She performs several types of surgery, the majority of which are for cataracts and glaucoma. She and an African doctor she has trained perform 70% of the cataract surgeries in the country. To further help fight this shortage of eye care, Wendy started an ophthalmology residency program for training African doctors. Graduates from this program will be able to provide eye care in Africa for many years to come.

Eric, who has a background in actuarial science, helps to keep track of the finances of the hospital/mission, making sure that money goes where it is supposed to go. As we have opportunity, we both verbally share the love of God with those around us. But it is the local Gabonese church that does most of the sharing of the Gospel. We each play a role, and God uses our combined efforts.