January 16-17, More Clinics, More food and Closing the Deals
Monday January 16th, 2012
Once again we were on the road with Rotarians from the Kilema Kati club visiting potential project locations and following up on previous work in the community. Last year’s team visited a number of dispensaries and clinics and with help from our partner International Medical Equipment Coalition (IMEC) identified sites that needed updated equipment. Today we were revisiting sites to see how they were doing and to check if their status had changed.
Our first stop was the Kirua Public Clinic. This is the project site for our 2nd Global Grant in the Kilema/Moshi Region of Tanzania which will provide reconditioned hospital equipment. Last year the main office and examination building were in desperate need of repair with extensive leaks in the roof and obvious water damage in every room. One of the conditions for bringing equipment to the location was that the building must be safe and sound to house the new equipment. Just weeks prior to the team coming to Tanzania we released some funds to purchase materials to repair the clinic. Under the leadership of Rotarians from the Kilema Kati club the clinic is being transformed. The tin roof has been repaired with many of the batti(sheet metal panels) being replaced. The ceiling boards in the room have been removed and new ones attached. With our go ahead the Rotarians and volunteers from the community will complete the renovations to the veranda, repair the cement foundation and steps and complete the transformation by giving the whole building a coat of paint. Once these renovations are complete we will initiate the collection and shipping of the hospital equipment to Tanzania from North America. We hope the container will arrive in Tanzania in early June after the rainy season when the roads become passable. The equipment will enhance the medical services at the clinic especially in the areas of maternal care, birthing and disease prevention (testing and screening expectant mothers for HIV/Aids).
Hospitality is a cornerstone of society in the Kilema area. This was evident as we traveled down the valley to visit two more clinic that are being considered for equipment, the Kirua Catholic Dispensary and the Upara Dispensary. At both locations we were met by the priest, who formally introduced us to the staff, we signed the guest book and we were offered refreshment. At Kirua Catholic (9:45 a.m.) we were treated to chicken soup, fried banana, freshly made (still warm) doughnuts and drinks. An hour later we are at Uparo Dispensary and again we are treated to more local treats (fresh fruit, peanuts and soda) after touring the facility. We were treated as honoured guests and humbly accepted their hospitality.
Our final stop for the day was the Mreni Secondary School in lower Kilema. This school of 600 students previously was without water. Donations from last year’s Sweat Equity team were provide to the local Rotarians to construct a roof water catchment tank. The 85,000 litre tank will now collect water in the rainy season and provide domestic water for the school and irrigation for the garden. The tank is nearly complete with only the cement cap needing to be installed.
Tuesday January 17, 2012
Our last day in the Kilema/Moshi area.
Today was a day for closure. Roger Hayward and I accompanied local Rotarians and doctors to visit the District Medical Officer’s representative in Moshi Town to update the local officials about our proposed activities and to apply some friendly leverage regarding ongoing upkeep of facilities and the delivery of electricity to the Nganjoni Dispensary. With the vocal support of the local people we were able to communicate how committed we were to providing support to the clinics in need and our expectation that we would have local government support. The value of the equipment being supplied will be millions of Tanzanian shillings and it appeared that this was a significant enticement to the officials. Everyone at the meeting was pleased with the outcome. The Moshi and Kilema Kati Rotarians will be reminding the local officials of their commitment to these projects.
The last job of the day was to meet with Kilema Kati Rotarians to develop the work plan for the next few months. Under their leadership the Kirua Public Clinic repairs will be completed and the top to the Mreni Water Catchment tank will be built and installed.
Plans have been drawn up to complete all repairs on one major furrow that runs through the middle of the Kilema area. This will provide a more accurate estimate of the materials and labour needed to renovate the whole furrow system.
The medical equipment global grants and the water projects are moving the Kilema/Moshi Region towards better health and economic viability. With our help the local partners are making a huge contribution to their community.
The Team
PS We are in downtown Arusha. Our vehicle is currently entwined with another. Minor fender bender. I does give us a chance to update the blog. All is good.
Hi Everyone
I love the detail of the blogs and it is great that you are taking time to keep us informed about your progress. It sounds as if things are working out well and some of our fears have not been realized! I hope the advocacy work is being done to your satisfaction and it’s good to know that some of the required measurements have been done.
Thanks so much for all you are doing to help those far less fortunate than we are. David and Sue, you are absolutely right about how blessed we in Canada are.
Sounds like many things have been accomplished again! Keep Up the Good Work.