Six-year-old Region Wana and his mother Dominica, from Te Kuiti, were among the many families who benefited from Braemar Charitable Trust’s recent Community Surgery Days. Their story is one of resilience, hope, and profound transformation.
For four years, Region and Dominica waited for grommet surgery; it was a journey of uncertainty and constant delays. “Each time we were bumped off the list, we wondered if it would ever happen,” Dominica says.
Region’s hearing difficulties had been a longstanding challenge for his family. He had failed hearing tests since birth, with specialists identifying a narrow ear canal. “The specialist told me his ear is retaining fluid, and if we didn’t do something, he could lose hearing in one ear altogether,” Dominica says. “If we can avoid that, it feels like a miracle.”
Then, a breakthrough came when an ear specialist in Te Kuiti referred them to Braemar Charitable Trust’s Community Surgery Programme and they got the call about the upcoming community surgery days taking place in November 2024. “I couldn’t believe it—it felt too good to be true,” Dominica says.
Braemar Charitable Trust is the owner of Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand’s largest private hospitals. The Trust’s vision is to advance healthcare equity and access, and it undertakes a variety of charitable activities to achieve this including free community surgeries, scholarships, health training and funding medical research.
Its wide range of free community surgeries are delivered by surgeons and anaesthetists who are credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital and want to donate their time. The Trust pays for other costs including nursing and consumables. More than 70 people had day surgeries or procedures across two Saturdays in November as part of the Community Surgery Days. Since 1 April 2024, a total of 117 people have had free surgeries and procedures as part of the Trust’s programme designed to help improve health outcomes.
Before Region’s surgery at Braemar, he relied on makeshift solutions such as Blu Tack to manage his condition. “Sponges didn’t fit, so we were constantly running out of Blu Tack, and his ears would get itchy,” Dominica says. “He’d get so frustrated he once said he wanted to ‘cut his ears off’ just to stop worrying about them.”
Despite the difficulties, Region tried his best to hear, describing it as being like “a duck underwater.” “It’s heartbreaking, but he always tried so hard to hear,” Dominica says.
The day of the surgery marked a turning point for the whānau. “From the moment we drove into the car park, it didn’t feel like a hospital,” she says. “We were greeted at the gates by people volunteering their time on a weekend, and the whole team made us feel so welcome. It was top-class service and a life-changing event for many whānau that day.”
The personal touches left a lasting impression, especially for Region. He received an activity colouring book as part of his care, which became a treasured keepsake. “He took the book to school to share his brave story during news time,” Dominica says. “He refused to colour it in and instead kept it in a memory box—it’s that special to him.”
Region’s surgery had an almost instant effect. “From the moment he walked out the doors, he could hear better,” Dominica recalls. Everyday life improved dramatically. “He’s not yelling around the house anymore,” she laughs. “Before, he’d shout ‘Good morning, Mum!’ thinking it was a normal volume. It’s so much quieter now, and such a relief for the whole whānau to not have to yell for him to hear. Now, he can hear normally and notices little things like the clock ticking—it’s surreal,” Dominica says.
One of the most heartwarming changes has been Region’s return to swimming. Before the surgery, he had to sit out of school swim days, often asking when he’d be able to join in again. His excitement before the surgery was clear: when asked what he was most looking forward to, his answer was simple — “Swimming.”
Now, Region is back in the pool, thrilled to participate fully. “We’ve even bought him lots of new togs,” Dominica says. “He’s so happy and no longer missing out at school. Seeing him in the water again is a real example of how transformative this surgery has been.”
Despite his hearing challenges, Region has always excelled academically, earning awards such as top student in his year level (the Eke Panuku trophy) and recognition for his diligence at Te Kuiti Primary School. “I can only imagine how much better his academic abilities will be now that he can hear properly,” Dominica says.
She is deeply grateful to the donors and volunteers who made the surgery possible, calling it a “life-changing koha”. “As a mum, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to help prevent any future hearing issues,” she says.
For Dominica, the surgery represents more than just improved hearing for her son—”it has lifted a heavy burden for the entire whānau, giving Region a better chance of life with fewer restrictions and me more peace of mind”. Thanks to Braemar Charitable Trust, their lives are now filled with newfound hope and joy. “This experience will help Region grow so much, and the flow-on effects on our whānau are incredible.”
Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker says the two Community Surgery Days in November were an outstanding success for the patients who were helped. The Trust has been in existence for more than 50 years and has a long history of providing free surgeries for those who have been turned down or can’t access timely help through the public system. “The success of this programme is due to the surgeons and anaesthetists who give their time pro-bono, and also to the many other volunteers who give their time to help.”
Funders for the November Community Surgery Days included the Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation and the ANZ Staff Foundation.
People wishing to support Braemar Charitable Trust’s work can donate via a new online donations portal. Donors can pay for a specific surgical procedure as part of the Trust’s Community Surgery Programme, or make donations towards scholarships, research or a general fund. To find out how click here
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