Pierre

When I met Pierre Tolisoa, he greeted me with a huge smile. At 12 years old, he was full of energy, quick to laugh, and eager to help his family on their farm. But there was one thing Pierre loved more than almost anything else: riding his father’s bicycle.

Riding is Pierre’s favourite thing to do.

When Pierre was just six months old, an infection left his right arm contracted. As he grew older, the arm became a constant reminder of what had happened. Children at school teased him, but Pierre kept going. He still wanted to learn, play soccer, help his parents, and, most of all, ride his father’s bike.

Despite being teased at school, Pierre never stopped wanting to learn.

His father, Verisoa, remembered how frightened he had been when Pierre was sick. After years of searching for help, their family heard about a free hospital called Mercy Ships.

Pierre aboard the Mercy Ships hospital ship.

Pierre eventually came aboard for surgery. His operation lasted 12 hours, releasing the contracture and using a muscle flap and K-wire to help restore his arm.

Heading to the operating room for a 12-hour surgery.

Testing his range of motion with the medical team after surgery.

The crew celebrates as Pierre leaves the ship.

His father dreams that Pierre will grow up confident, finish school, and perhaps become a teacher or a policeman.

But when I think of Pierre, I think of that bicycle.

I think of a boy with a huge smile, pedaling down the road with his father’s bike beneath him, finally able to move forward in a way he had always hoped he could.