How the Project has helped HIV/AIDS-orphaned Mufindi children and their communities (2005-2011)
HIV/AIDS stigma reduced
This is HUGE. The subject of AIDS has evolved from taboo, to open discussion. And,
How the Project has helped HIV/AIDS-orphaned Mufindi children and their communities (2005-2011)
HIV/AIDS stigma reduced
This is HUGE. The subject of AIDS has evolved from taboo, to open discussion. And, now that Mufindi folk know they can be treated, they are more willing to be tested. Related education has increased knowledge about prevention.
Orphaned and Foster Children cared for
The Children’s Village and Outreach Support Program up and running. The former houses 75 children in 6 houses, with house mothers, a vegetable garden, and kindergarten. The latter helps 1,000 orphans directly in 16 villages, and thousands indirectly (by outreach support to 2,000+ guardians, single mothers and grandparents).
One government primary school (Igoda) and one secondary school (Luhunga) upgraded and stimulating other schools, by example, to improve their own facilities. The project built more classrooms, brought water, library facilities and solar lighting.
Community Outreach Program Up and Running
- Milk Powder Program
The only way to prevent HIV transmission from Mother to Child after the child is born (with 6 months of nursing). Community Hall constructed and now a hub of community activities for all the surrounding villages, with about 60 events so far, including seminars, education, and entertainment.
- Medical Program
Ibwanzi Dispensary upgraded into a fully functioning, 30-bed, Government Health Centre, with a clinical officer and nurses serving 20,000 people in 8 villages (The project provided wards, beds, treatment rooms, nurse housing, generator, and equipment). The Mdabulo AIDS Testing and Treatment Clinic, and maternity ward constructed, equipped and running for a catchment of 40,000 people. Since opening, the Clinic has tested more than 1500 patients and issued antiretroviral drugs accordingly. As funds permit, Mdabulo is gradually being upgraded from a Clinic to the first full service hospital in the area (including an x-ray room, optical workshop, examination rooms and two surgical theatres) where national and international specialists can volunteer their services.
A Huge Thanks From Mufindi To Canadian Donors
Canadian funds from B.C. and Ottawa have helped in constructing and equipping the surgical wing at Mdabulo. Our friends in B.C. have, amongst others, also provided a CD4 machine – CRUCIAL for effective HIV/AIDS treatment and our money is paying full-time Laboratory Assistant, Catherine Mbata, to run the CD4 machine, as well as oversee all laboratory resources at the Centre.
“This means that we now have a treatment facility for a catchment of 40,000 people, a facility that is equipped with one of the MOST precious machines to anyone who is HIV-POSITIVE, which in our area, is 35%. This is the BEST and MOST exciting news our community has had… THANK YOU!!!!!! Your community in Canada has banded together to help save a community here in Tanzania.” – Jenny Peck, Mufindi.
All this has been achieved with the help of amazing volunteers (From as far afield as Mufindi, Tanzania, the UK, USA, Hongkong, and Finland, e.g. Dr. Leena Pasanen (one of the “world’s most compassionate doctors” [World Medical Assoc., 2011], Finland’s “Most Outstanding Finn Living Abroad”  and mission doctor resident in Mufindi for 30 years) who volunteered two weeks a month for the Project in the last three years, plans to donate her medical services to the project full time!!!! We will use this year’s Ottawa-based funds to build a small clinic for Dr. Leena near the Children’s Village. This will save sick villagers many miles of walking to get help. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH!