Walking in Hope

Walking in Hope

In 1961, Divine Word Missionary Brother Tarcisius de Ruyter, SVD, began his mission in Ghana, dedicating over 50 years to transformative work. A Dutch shoemaker skilled in shoemaking, physiotherapy, and teaching, he was moved by Ghana's polio prevalence, which caused severe disabilities. Motivated to help, he crafted shoes, artificial limbs, and crutches. In 1965, he launched a mobile unit to reach more people, and in 1967, he established a home for children needing intensive therapy.

His mission grew, leading to the 2013 opening of the Brother Tarcisius SVD Prosthetics and Orthotics Training College. The college trained technologists serving at the Orthopedic Training Centre, hospitals, and facilities for the physically challenged. Over 100,000 children and adults have benefited from surgeries, tools, and support, restoring dignity and hope. Though Bro. Tarcisius passed in January 2014, his legacy endures through the college and dedicated members, including Fr. Eugene Asante, SVD.

A Continuing Legacy

In 2016, Fr. Eugene toured the Bro. Tarcisius SVD Prosthetics and Orthotics Training College and Orthopedic Training Centre. At the time, it left only a fleeting impression, but in October 2020, his Provincial encouraged him to enroll in training. Over time, Fr. Eugene developed a profound appreciation for prosthetics and orthotics, and for the opportunity to serve the physically challenged in such a tangible way.

For three years, Fr. Eugene trained in orthotics, focusing on devices that correct deformities of the foot, ankle, and knee. He also gained expertise in prosthetics, crafting artificial limbs for below-knee, above-knee, and through-the-knee amputees. In August 2023, he completed his training and now serves in multiple roles: Chaplain of the Brother Tarcisius SVD Prosthetics and Orthotics Training College, technician in the Orthopedic Workshop’s prosthetic department, and a member of the mobile clinic team, which brings orthopedic care to underserved areas.

Fr. Eugene’s work involves close interaction with patients, from assessing their needs to teaching them how to manage their residual limbs. He takes measurements, creates casts, and fabricates prosthetic devices — an intricate process requiring skill and patience. On average, it takes him three days to complete a prosthesis. During the fabrication process, he finds a meditative rhythm, envisioning the perfect fit for each patient’s limb to minimize adjustments later.

Life-Changing Results

“Some people who receive their orthosis have never walked before in their life,” Fr. Eugene explained. “Those who have been amputated also lose hope and think they will never walk or go back to their normal daily schedules.” While some patients initially struggle to adapt, most experience life-changing results. “Most of the time when patients receive their prosthesis or orthosis, they’re happy, joyful and regain the hope they lost,” he said.

This ministry is a unique calling for a priest, yet Fr. Eugene sees it as profoundly aligned with the SVD charism, embodying three of the four key characteristics of the congregation.

Through his work, he lives out the Biblical Apostolate by offering healing in a tangible, transformative way, mirroring the compassion and restorative actions of Jesus. His ministry also highlights the power of Communication, as he uses his skills to convey a message of hope and renewal, reaching individuals who may have lost faith in themselves and their future. Additionally, his efforts exemplify the SVD's commitment to Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) by restoring dignity to individuals, honoring their identity as creations made in God’s image.
 

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