Don Campion, president of Banyan Air Service at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, was recently crowned Chief Alatunse of Egbe Land which means – revitalizer and rebuilder of our village. His spouse, Sueanne, is the Ye Ye Alatunse which means first lady of the community.

Campion was honored with this chieftaincy title for his leadership and support to the Egbe Hospital Revitalization Project. Egbe located in Nigeria, Africa, has special significance for Campion. He grew up there with his medical missionary parents, Dr. George and Esther Campion, who founded Egbe Hospital in 1952. The 33-acre compound consists of several hospital wings, two operating theatres, an HIV/AIDS center, maternity ward, eye clinic and nurses’ training center.

After visiting in November 2008, Campion was saddened to find the hospital in desperate need of repairs. He made it his mission to lead the Egbe Hospital Revitalization Project with a vision to ensure its future sustainability as a reputable Christian hospital providing superior medical services to a very rural region. With the support from Serving in Missions (SIM), Samaritan’s Purse, Evangelical Church of Western Africa (ECWA), World Medical Mission, private donations, and volunteers; work began on improving the facilities, recruiting staff, replacing medical equipment and upgrading systems.

Since that initial beginning, much has been accomplished: 20 shipping containers with medical equipment, vehicles, tools, and building materials, have been shipped from Banyan, buildings have been repaired and re-roofed, water pumps replaced, diesel generators installed, reservoir and filtration systems have been rebuilt, medical equipment upgraded, and a cell and internet tower installed.

Most recently, 3 new hospital buildings were added, an isolation ward, dental clinic and a 12 bed pediatric ward. A team of 13 missionaries now live at Egbe and work with the Nigerian staff. The hospital is now treating over 1500 patients per month that come for villages more than 100 miles away.

Campion, his wife and the Banyan team are still very committed to the Revitalization Project. Three times a year Campion leads a group of volunteers and they continue working on the Egbe Revitalization. Eight Banyan teammates have joined them on these trips. Upcoming projects include upgrading the Eye Care Center building and eye equipment, supplying medical teaching aids for nursing students and Nigerian doctors, upgrading the recreation area for the missionaries and resident doctors, and building a new morgue.

If you are interested in learning more, donating, or becoming part of this mission/humanitarian project visit, www.egbehospital.org and follow (ECWA Hospital Egbe) on Facebook.