2nd Chance Association’s mission is to address the critical shortage of reconstructive surgery specialists in Sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of patients, disfigured by conflict or trauma, lack access to essential surgical care. 2nd Chance is dedicated to training surgeons, anesthetists and peri-operative professionals in reconstructive surgery. Through our « Train the Trainer » approach and a network of over 100 volunteer professionals, we strive to provide full skilled autonomy to local healthcare systems to restore dignity to victims and support their social and economic reintegration.
Our efforts focus on providing hands-on training for African surgeons and medical teams, building up their skills and expertise to meet the increasing demand for specialized surgical care. Our vision is, for each country, to reach full autonomy in reconstructive surgery capabilities in terms of training and care.
We treat patients suffering from pathologies related to reconstructive surgery - mutilating, disabling and deforming conditions which can be provoked by injuries, trauma, burns, congenital malformation and other pathologies requiring reconstructive surgery. These patients are mainly women, children and rural populations who have limited access to surgical care. Each operation is more than a medical act; it is an opportunity to restore autonomy, dignity, and hope for patients often marginalized in their communities. These treatments impact not only individuals but also their families and broader social circles.
We campaign for reconstructive surgery to be integrated into public health policies and humanitarian responses at local and international levels. We promote data driven awareness bridging research, practices and policies.
2nd Chance is an association built over the last 10 years around core values shared by all its members.
All members of our Association a highly committed professionals who take upon their free time and vacations to join our training.
2nd Chance is an Association activated by partnership and membership creating bridges between two medical realities.
Training professional resources allows for a virtuous process of skills transmission to be activated. Trained surgeons become of the trainers of tomorrow.
Our activities are enshrined at the heart of UN sustainable goal 3.
Building up professional resources in reconstructive surgery at regional level bring training closer to each African country which needs to set up a department in reconstructive surgery.
2nd Chance was created in 2010, as a result of a partnership between Dr. Pierre Quinodoz and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The initiative was driven by the need for reconstructive surgery in economically disadvantaged regions and areas recovering from conflict. From its early days, the organization focused on empowering local medical professionals in subshararian Africa by training surgeons, providing essential medical supplies, and funding surgeries for those who need it most, all to restore dignity, reintegrate economical activities and improve quality of life.
2nd Chance received the Certification from ZEWO in 2022.
ZEWO is committed to non-profit organisations that use their donations efficiently, in accordance with their purpose and financial resources. It has defined 21 standards to be respected. These standards require non-profit organisations to use donations fairly and rigorously, while providing donors with transparent information.
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