Monday, June 5, 2017

Urgent Need

URGENT NEED: MASINDI MEDICAL CLINIC
By: Dr. Gilbert Birungi

Thank you for supporting and partnering with us whenever we come to you with matters concerning Africa. Because of you, we have made a difference and have touched many people’s lives in Africa. We treasure you and appreciate all the efforts and support you have given through “For the Love of Africa Ministries” (FOLA). We are glad to say that for the past 5 1/2 years FOLA has done a great work in Africa.

Today, I want to share with you about the emergency medical need we have in the very remote “bush” village of Masindi, Uganda, Africa where we do mission work. People in this community live far below the Ugandan poverty level, as they stay in huts made of mud, tree poles, and grass roofs (see pictures below). Most of these people are uneducated and lack even basic life skills. Many even marry as early as age 12.


OUR WORK IN MASINDI

FOLA has partnered with Mercy House Ministries, whereby, we have held several medical missions in the Masindi area, completed a double water project there, conducted seminars, workshops, and conferences to teach practical skills, and have empowered and supported churches and people in this Masindi community.  Mercy House Ministries has also established several churches in this very remote area.


FOLA SPONSORED MEDICAL MISSION IN MASINDI


NECESSITY OF MEDICAL CLINIC

About four weeks ago, some of the children from our Kampala Mercy House Children’s Home went to Masindi to help with “weeding” the crops on our Masindi farm. This was done to help teach the children skills, good work ethic, and to help them understand the importance of growing food for our Mercy Junior School and the Children’s Home. Two weeks later, we received a phone call that some of the children were sick and that one of our Masindi pastor’s children had passed away.  We were very thankful that FOLA and the Empowered Masters Commission gave funds to support the treatment of the kids and helped pay for the burial of Pastor Isaac’s son. We thank everyone who supported these emergency situations.

Through these emergency situations, our eyes were opened to the true medical needs in this community. We came to understand that Pastor Isaac’s son died because of an untreated bacterial infection that was carried by mosquitoes infected with malaria. Had there been a medical clinic in this area, this child’s death could have easily been prevented by antibiotics. During the burial service the LC Chairman of the Mboila Parish area informed us that 3 people had died within the last week and that many other people had also died recently, all having the same health issue. All they needed was medical attention! He requested help in meeting the health needs of the people in his community.

SUMMARY:

For these reasons there is a grave need for establishing a medical clinic which would help the people of that community to improve on their health. This clinic could work as an emergency clinic before a patient is referred to other places.

We have made a beginning budget of $2,500, which would include renting a small house, medicine, testing strips and paying a nurse’s salary. This clinic would be able to stand on its own after 3 months.
This is a noble cause, we are calling upon you to agree and pray with us. Together, we can make a difference and change lives.


Your servant in Christ
Dr. Gilbert Birungi
Uganda, Africa