Shoe4africa spread Christmas cheers at Children’s hospital
Former athlete and Shoe4Africa founder Toby Tanser, accompanied by partners, on Christmas eve visited the Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret to celebrate the festive season with underprivileged children.
Tanser, together with former athlete and nurse Nancy Wagner, toured the paediatric facility where they interacted with young patients and healthcare workers offering specialised care. The visit underscored ongoing efforts to support children’s healthcare and strengthen community-based health initiatives.
In collaboration with other partners, the team distributed Christmas gifts to children admitted at the hospital, bringing joy and encouragement to patients and their families during the festive season.
Tanser said the celebration was meant to bring hope to children who remain hospitalised during Christmas due to critical illnesses.
“We have about 200 children who are stuck in hospital because of serious medical conditions and come from underprivileged backgrounds. When I first came to Kenya as an athlete, I saw children sharing wards with adults, and it deeply touched me. That is what inspired me to start this project of building a children’s hospital,” said Tanser.
He noted that, in partnership with the government, Shoe4Africa is currently constructing the Harry J. Dyer Burns Unit and the Shoe4Africa Juli Anne Perry Children’s Cancer Hospital, which will be the first dedicated children’s cancer hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.
Wagner, who resides in Germany, said she works in a cancer hospital and makes it a priority to support the initiative whenever she visits Kenya.
“Cancer is a deadly disease, and what Toby is doing here is remarkable. He is giving children a proper place where they can receive specialised treatment,” she said.
Shoe4Africa partner Chelimo Saina encouraged well-wishers, especially those living abroad, to support the initiative through donations via the organisation’s website, www.shoe4africa.org, or by visiting the hospital.
Hospital management welcomed the visit, noting that such engagements help raise awareness about paediatric healthcare needs while boosting morale among patients and staff.
The Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital is a state-of-the-art paediatric facility serving children from the North Rift and neighbouring regions, offering specialised and affordable medical services.
