Success in response to Samuel’s cancer appeal

10th September 2025

13-year-old Samuel is now cancer free (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Thanks to the generous response to Samuel’s cancer appeal, MAF raised over £150,000 towards flights, which help children like Samual access the lifesaving treatment they so desperately need. We’re so happy to report that Samuel is cancer free! MAF’s Hillim Gitonga has the latest…

Last year, 13-year-old Samuel from the remote village of Enairebuk in southern Kenya was diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer.

Samuel’s father Nicholas first noticed that his son’s mouth was very swollen in February 2024. However, the isolated Maasai family – who live off their land in the wilderness of the Loita Hills – do not have access to adequate, nearby, healthcare.

Enairebuk does not have access to healthcare (credit: Tricia Matheson)

It took four hours by road to reach their nearest hospital in Narok, west of Kenya’s capital Nairobi. A biopsy confirmed their worst fears, but more bad news awaited them.

Their hopes were dashed when doctors in Narok were not equipped to treat Samuel’s condition. He was therefore referred to hospital in Nakuru – a further three hours north.

Samuel had a biopsy in Narok, which confirmed he had cancer (credit: Paula Alderblad)

No sooner had Samuel started essential radiotherapy in Nakuru, doctors in Kenya’s public hospitals went on strike for nearly two months over pay. Samuel’s lifesaving treatment suddenly stalled.

The only place Samuel could get help in Kenya was in the capital, Nairobi (credit: Paula Alderblad)

The only place Samuel could get help in Kenya was in Nairobi (credit: Paula Alderblad)

As desperation grew, the family of modest means had no choice but to seek private healthcare at The Nairobi Hospital in the capital, but how would they afford regular, expensive treatment? And how often could they manage an arduous eight-hour drive from home to attend appointments? With such a life-threatening illness, time and money were not on their side.

Hope is at hand

MAF – in partnership with Red Tribe – was able to support Samuel. Red Tribe is a charity which works with the Maasai people to improve health, education and livelihoods

On 27 September 2024, MAF began flying Samuel and Nicholas from their village of Enairebuk to Nairobi in just 30 minutes so that Samuel could receive the lifesaving treatment he so desperately needed.

MAF’s 30-minute flight saved an 8-hour road journey (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Samuel finally underwent 36 sessions of radiotherapy and 12 sessions of chemotherapy – a huge ordeal for a little boy, but it made all the difference.

As the treatment started working, each appointment was further apart, said dad, Nicholas:

‘We’ve been home for about five months. The doctor had given us a longer interval between visits because the disease had gone down.

‘Samuel has been doing well. He looks healthy, has more energy, and even his hair has grown back nicely!

‘Before, even walking a short distance would exhaust him. Now we’ve been doing small exercises, and I can see a real difference. His body has changed, and he no longer complains as much when we walk.

‘Samuel doesn’t fear going for treatment. I think today the doctor will give us good news.’

MAF and Red Tribe have made life easier for Samuel, Nicholas and Mary (credit: Hillim Gitonga)

MAF & Red Tribe have made life easier for Samuel, Nicholas & Mary (credit: Hillim Gitonga)

Samuel receives the ‘all clear’

Nicholas is right. Samuel’s consultant confirmed that he is now clear of cancer.

The road to recovery hasn’t been easy. Samuel’s lack of appetite during his treatment made mealtimes difficult, says his mum, Mary:

‘Samuel had been sick for about two years, but he’s currently improving.’

MAF and Red Tribe have played such a critical role in Samuel’s care, that the family would have been left bereft without them, continues Mary:

‘I am happy that MAF and Red Tribe have been supporting us through this journey, because the road from Enairebuk is rough, unsealed and often washed out.

‘It would have taken us about eight hours by road, but thanks to MAF’s flight, it takes just 30 minutes.’

Mary, mother of Samuel who benefited from MAF’s partnership with Red Tribe

Nicholas: ‘Flying to Nairobi saves so much time and money’ (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Mary’s husband, Nicholas, agrees:

‘Flying to Nairobi saved us so much time and money. Travelling by that rough road would have been a big burden. It’s very, very tiresome. I’m truly grateful for their help.

‘We also want to thank the donors for their support. Without them, travelling for my son’s treatment would have been a challenge.’

MAF pilot Joost de Wit (right) played an important part in Samuel’s recovery (credit: Paula Alderblad)

MAF’s Joost de Wit played an important part in Samuel’s recovery (credit: Paula Alderblad)

MAF pilot Joost de Wit feels privileged to have played his part:

‘This is my second time flying Samuel and his dad. It’s been truly a blessing to be part of their journey.

‘Operating these planes allows us to make a real difference for people in need – getting them to hospital quickly so that they can access the treatment they deserve.’

We pray that Samuel’s cancer never returns (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Success in response to Samuel’s cancer appeal

10th September 2025

Thanks to the generous response to Samuel’s cancer appeal, MAF raised over £150,000 towards flights, which help children like Samual access the lifesaving treatment they so desperately need. We’re so happy to report that Samuel is cancer free! MAF’s Hillim Gitonga has the latest…

Hope is at hand

Samuel receives the ‘all clear’

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