This project has been successfully completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Jennifer Boyd. To see the history of the project CLICK HERE.
The project was to provide water to the laboratory, consultation areas, lavatories, and maternity building of the health center.
Jennifer reports:
Gishali Police Health Center, a facility serving a population of 17,362 people, is the newest location in Rwamagana District to receive running water. Due to the center’s proximity to the water source, funds were maximized to bring running water into nearly every service (consultation, maternity, laboratory, lavatories).
Until recently, staff relied on a system of buckets and outdoor spigots to maintain hygienic conditions. The introduction of running water to the inside of the center makes sanitary health care easy and less time-consuming, freeing up staff and resources.
Gishali’s new running water will help staff to model hygiene for patients, and for patients to carry those behaviors back into their households. The running water also increases the reliability of test results, as it better safeguards against contaminants rendering tests falsely positive or negative. Equally important is the likelihood that running water and better hygiene will curb health center-borne illnesses.
Jennifer relates how the project was received:
Director of Gishali Police Health Center, Modeste GASORE, verbalized the atmosphere of the health center upon receiving water. He said, “We are so pleased that we can provide the best service to the community. Thank you.”
We again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funds for this project.
