Dr. Angolberth Tawampe, CEO of Telefomin Baptist District Hospital in West Sepik Province, wrote to the Old Dart Foundation (ODF) to express his deepest gratitude for the support that carried him from a struggling medical student to a practising doctor now serving his own remote community.
I come from a very humble and challenging background, with no stable financial support. ODF stepped in when I was a second-year medical student and changed the direction of my future. They paid my full tuition and school fees, provided a monthly allowance of £500, and faithfully supported me throughout my journey. Their faith in me has not only helped me become a doctor, but has empowered me to serve my people.
A journey of faith, support, and service
In 2020, as a third-year medical student, I was thankful for the support that made my studies possible. By 2025, I was in residency training at Kassam Rural Hospital, growing in knowledge and skills to serve better. On 13th March 2024, I graduated as a doctor and was honoured to receive the Best ODF Community Project Award for the work I completed over the years — a recognition that belongs not just to me, but to ODF. On 16th June 2026, I performed my first surgery at Telefomin Baptist District Hospital — an umbilical hernia repair — a dream becoming reality.
Serving a community in need
For over 20 years, Telefomin District has had a great lack of doctors, and many lives have been affected due to limited medical services. By God’s grace, and through the support of partners like ODF, I am now privileged to serve this beautiful and underserved community of 80,000–100,000 people.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31
— Dr. Angolberth Tawampe