The background to the Kakumbi Clinic Project

                When Grant and Johnny first arrived at Mfuwe and saw the Kakumbi Clinic, Grant determined to give the clinic a lick of paint. It wasn't a large building and it would be possible for him to paint the whole building himself. Before barging in with guns blazing Johnny and Grant both felt it would be better for those at the clinic to get to know us and to get to know our capabilities. So they held fire for a month. And then Grant had to go to Canada to see his parents who were both poorly.

                When he got back Grant asked Cecilia the Chief Clinical Officer at the clinic if she would like to have the clinic painted. An enthusiastic "Yes!!" was the reply. The next day Grant had a good look around to try to assess the current situation.

                Then it hit him. Large patches of brown stain on the ceiling of the secondary building indicated a leaking roof. The brown staining was from the rat and bat faeces in the space above the ceiling. And, yes, the roof leaked in the main building as well but this was, of course, only apparent when it was actually raining.

Female ward ceiling

                What was the use of painting the building if the roof was letting in water?

                Examination of the roof showed that the roof over the whole building needed replaced. Deep breath! Well, neither Johnny nor Grant had ever taken on a project anything like this, and certainly not out in the bush in Africa in a completely different culture, but - why not organise a new roof for the Clinic? The owners of some of the Safari Companies said that it was possible to replace the roof with an insulated version and to ventilate the ridge of the roof space. Why not have a crack at it??

                Then it became apparent that, at the same time, much more needed to be done. The layout of the building is not ideal and there is no real patient flow as it is now used. Add a door here and window there and it would be transformed! The antiquated, unearthed wiring is mortally dangerous and needs to be totally replaced. There is only one wash hand basin in the entire clinic. There are no showers nor toilets in the main building. A general upgrade was necessary in addition to replacing the roof.

                Jake da Motta, formerly part-owner of Flatdogs Safari Company, suggested that we use the contractor doing his roof. We got the contractor to prepare a list of quantities with prices for materials and labour. Initial estimates are for a total cost of between US$20,000 to $25,000, a manageable amount if my friends, colleagues and family are as generous as we think they will be.

Donations to the Kakumbi Clinic Fund urgently requested

Click here to see the Clinic Restoration Accounts