From a mobile surgical program to the nonprofit Hope Builds, this is a timeline of the work our team — known affectionately among ourselves as the Hope Floats Initiative — has carried out over the years. Click each entry to read more.
1999 — The Free Rotational Surgery program begins
Dr. Simeon Afolayan and his colleagues launched a program of bi-weekly surgical missions across towns in Osun State, frequently performing more than 100 free surgeries on an average day for people who could not otherwise afford care. Over its run, the program delivered more than 15,000 health screenings and 2,500 free surgeries.
2010 — A floating clinic, and a new life as Hope Builds
The team brought free surgical care to a prototype floating clinic built in a coastal community in Lagos. Within a year the mobile surgical program was reborn as the nonprofit Hope Builds, while the team continued to call itself by its original name, the Hope Floats Initiative. More than 3,000 free surgeries followed over the next eight years.
17 March 2012 — Knights Club of Ede surgical outing
A successful Hope Floats Initiative outing in Ede, Osun State: 59 operations on 55 patients.
July 2012 — A grateful week in the field
Following another successful outing, Dr. Afolayan thanked the team’s colleagues for their dedication and tireless service.
18 August 2012 — Resilience on the road to Iresi
While traveling to the annual Prof. Bisi Odejide Memorial surgical outing, several members of the team were injured in a road accident. All recovered, and the team carried on undeterred — a testament to the dedication and spirit of everyone involved.
30 May 2013 — State Hospital, Iwo
A major surgical outing delivering 93 surgeries.
21 September 2013 — A milestone across Osun State
The team reached a milestone of 886 surgeries completed across 9 missions.
14 August 2015 — Fifth year of the Memorial Surgical Mission
The team marked five years of its annual memorial surgical mission, a cornerstone of its ongoing commitment.
July–August 2017 — A landmark season
One of the team’s largest seasons of service: 625 surgeries performed on 579 patients.
23 September 2017 — MedShare International Humanitarian Award
Dr. Afolayan and the Hope Builds medical team were honored with the MedShare International Humanitarian Award in Atlanta, recognizing years of free surgical service to underserved communities.
November 2019 — A historic week of surgery
In a single remarkable week, the team carried out three of its largest outings ever: 173 surgeries at State Hospital, Iwo; 182 surgeries at State Hospital, Ilesa; and a record 207 surgeries in Osogbo — the team’s best to date. A fitting culmination of a decade of service.
