'New Addition' at The Rock

Did you spot a couple of references to ‘more of that to come’ in Michèle’s article last month? (located directly below this month’s news, in case you missed it). Here is Part 2, starting with the most important news first: 'A New Addition’ to The Rock.

In order for The Rock to ‘upgrade’ to Health Centre III status, it needed a clinical incinerator and adjacent ash pit. This is a significant step up for The Rock, enabling the centre to extend its reach and service into the community. So, this month, we’re launching a specific fund-raising effort to cover the costs of £3500 **

Could you help us to reach this target, please?

Here’s why ...The District Health inspector has issued this clear proviso: To fulfil the requirements to become an HC III, both incinerator & ash pit needed to be built. It also required direct access from The Rock, separate from the school, in order to safeguard everyone on site at WTA. 

How it started ... When Phil and I were in Uganda last November, we worked together to design an effective and long-lasting incinerator, starting the project straightaway with local builders. Reconnecting with Tofa, the local builder’s merchant and old friend of ours, he arranged delivery of some special heat-proof bricks. His amusing and effective 'mortar alternative' was “use mud from a termite mound!”  Here’s Phil, carrying it to the builders.

And finally … Great news! The District Health Office inspected and awarded the longawaited HC III certification. This is an excellent indicator to the community and enhances the strong ties that already exist. The Rock has ongoing diagnostic testing available, with a lab and technician, serving the local population of 15,000. It is run by Clinical Officer, Arocha Sam - seen here below treating a malaria patient. 

In case you are wondering why there are already photos of the finished incinerator, it's because we urgently had to get it built in order to comply with the new Health Centre status....so we borrowed money from another pot to get the work done! Now we need to pay back that money.

How to Donate ... If you are able to help us to recoup these vital costs, please donate via www.servedirect.org, using the green 'Donate Now' button on the homepage or at the top of this page. Please add the reference “health.”  If you are a UK taxpayer and able to Gift Aid, that’s a great bonus too.  We would love to reach this target by Easter, if possible. Thank you so much!   Michèle & Phil 

** For detailed & technical friends, the £3,500 total includes the cost of the incinerator, the ash pit, a concrete access path, fencing, gate, shelter & associated drainage improvements.