THE PROJECT
WHAT WE’RE BUILDING
Maternity Ward – In Malawi – most government buildings have a standard building plan – both the District Hospital and the community are happy with the standard maternity clinic plans. The maternity clinic will have a delivery area with two beds and a post-natal room with 6 recovery beds. There will also be toilets & showers, cleaning facilities, storage and a waiting area.
Guardian Shelter – In Malawi, women are encouraged to make their way to the nearest clinic before the onset of labour. The guardian shelter is a place where women (and often their families) can stay for a week or two before the birth of their baby. It’s fairly simply structure which consists of two sleeping rooms (one for men and one for women) as well as an outdoor cooking space and a toilet/shower area.
Doctor’s House –With the addition of a maternity clinic – the Chisala Health Clinic will
now be big enough to warrant having what is known as a “medical assistant” – (MA) to oversee the clinic. MAs have 2 to 3 years of medical school training and perform many of functions of physicians in the US or UK. However, we must provide housing for the new medical assistant and his/her family.
Pitlatrines – There are pit latrines at the existing health clinic, but they are sinking into the ground and are in a state of disrepair. The old pit latrines will therefore “be collapsed” and new ones built. This will provide toilet facilities to those staying at the guardian shelter as well as those using the maternity clinic / health clinic.
We need to raise $83,000 (£54,000)
A JOINT EFFORT
The Amai Athanzi Project is truly a community-based effort. We are working with the community of Chisala and the District Hospital to make the Maternity Clinic a reality. We consider each part of this relationship like a piece of a pie – each part contributing 1/3 – without one part, this project could not happen.
Community Contributions
The community of Chisala has already started making the 250,000 bricks needed to construct all the buildings. This will require an incredible amount of effort, but it is in line with the standard 25% contribution that communities are required to contribute to development projects. The community has also agreed to provide the sand and collect water (materials needed for making cement). They will also assist us with labour in tasks such as sand collection and brick moving.
District Hospital Contributions
The District Hospital has agreed to hire and pay for the contractors – this is a huge part of the project, and I’m pleased to say that the contractor will be hiring several labourers from the community. Additionally, the District Hospital will hire a Medical Assistant (a doctor) for the clinic, hence why we are also building a doctor’s house. Finally, the District Hospital will equip the hospital once built and make sure that supplies are continuously provided. They will also see that the building and its equipment are maintained.
Our Contribution
Our contribution is to raise the money needed for the building supplies – everything from cement and door frames to nails and iron sheeting. By far, the most expensive thing we are paying for is cement, the cost of which has skyrocketed in the past couple years. It will be our responsibility to see that supplies are ordered and delivered in a timely fashion. We will also provide a vehicle which will be used for hauling materials
and getting around. This vehicle will either be donated to the District Hospital or the community once the project is completed. Finally, it is our firm commitment to be in the community for the duration of the project and to help liaise with all groups and make sure this project is completed within the timeframe and on budget.
