read more about Dr. Lillian Cingo

Dr. Lillian Cingo

PHELOPHEPA HEALTH TRAIN

Pride and dignity are the two words Lillian Cingo repeated time and again when we met in South Africa. Lillian manages the Phelophepa train, a health care train that brings basic medical needs to rural South Africans. Known as the train of hope, the Phelophepa train started as a relatively modest project that now sees close to 45,000 patients a year, covering 15,000 km of rail across four provinces. Lillian is the driving force that makes it happen. She’s dedicated her life to helping others and runs the train with military precision. Each person on staff, as well as the hundreds of volunteers employed in the different communities the train visits, look to Lillian with well-earned respect. The Phelophepa train has become a symbolic microcosm of South African life - a mixture of civilians; people of differing colors, creeds, cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs all working together to help people in rural South Africa. Sixteen compartments with 19 full time doctors and 27 part time medical residents travel the countryside, working from 6am until midnight bringing desperately needed medical care to many South Africans that would otherwise have no chance of seeing a doctor. After visiting the train and meeting Lillian in person I was so touched by the care and commitment of her and her team that my respect for her and her work have strengthened my commitment to their cause. I saw firsthand how the efforts of this remarkable woman are changing so many lives and I’ll do whatever I can to help. Please help me help her by making a donation to this worthy cause, The American Friends of the Phelophepa Train.


      

Lillian Cingo's Goals

• To enhance the physical, physiological, and psychological well-being of individuals reached.
• Contribute towards basic healthcare awareness in rural South Africa.
• Provide accessibility to healthcare services in rural areas.
• The Phelophepa Health Care Train aims to register ±42 000/45,000 patients during its 37-week annual operational period.
• Assist even more children and adults through outreach clinics in communities.