Report from BHW Kenya Partnership Facilitator Following Visit 23rd September

Key Person: Isaac Basegere 

We visited Ponu clinic and met with Isaac (head doctor and member of the committee), his wife Eunice (nurse and midwife), Benedict (member of the committee), his wife Fransisca (oversees the school) and Joseph (member of the committee and looks after transport).

Isaac was dealing with an emergency when we arrived, so we were shown the greenhouse while we waited. Bright Hope World originally funded this greenhouse. When we went two years ago, they were not having any success with their crops. The soil was not good, and their crops were not growing. This time we were very impressed, the garden was doing really well which is great to see.

Once Isaac was ready, we had a catch up on how things have been over the last year. Isaac had a report ready which we went through covering all areas of their work.

Recent Events

Robert Gitau (KEN03b)

Unfortunately, on the 7th of September Robert Gitau passed away. Seeing a great need, Robert and his wife Rose started the Ponu clinic, Forward Green Hostel (orphanage), Nguluni Countryside School, and the church in the early 2000's. Robert was well respected by his community and invested a large part of his life to helping people. His wife Rose had passed away a number of years earlier. 

Context

The broader community in Nguluni faces financial challenges. Food security is a concern, exacerbated by unreliable weather patterns and the high cost of food. Poverty and economic hardship in the community also affect families' ability to afford school fees, leading to both financial strain on the school and the families of the students.

Ponu Clinic

The day we visited marked the anniversary of 30 years since they opened Ponu Clinic. For three decades they have been serving the community to support both their spiritual and physical health. Isaac said “The Centres continued success over three decades is a testament to the hard work of our staff and the unwavering support of the community we serve”

This year Bright Hope World made a contribution to Ponu Clinic in two areas to increase profit which in turn could be used to invest in the Scholarship programme for students who have graduated from their school to move into further education. These two areas were:
1) The purchase of a haematology machine which allows more accurate and comprehensive blood diagnostics.
2) The construction of a pharmacy

The Haematology machine was purchased and is functioning well.

The pharmacy did not go to plan as the government have said that they cannot now have a retail chemist. Instead, they are able to have an internal pharmacy where they  sell their medications internally to patients so they have immediate access to necessary medications. This is making a profit although they have said it is not enough to fully fund David’s scholarship fees for medical school.

As they did not set up a full pharmacy, they used the money to:
- Expand the patient care facilities to include a women’s ward
- Painted the clinic
- Digitalised their services with a hospital management software system
- Undertook repairs and maintenance to the facility

Nguluni School

Isaac was very happy with the progress they have made over the last year. During Covid the school's role had shrunk as the community could not afford the fees. Now things have stabilised, and they are back to 207 students. They have also successfully reopened their junior secondary school grade 7 which they had to close due to financial issues. They currently have 18 staff members at the school: 10 teachers and 8 support staff. They are proud to report that they are consistently able to pay their salaries on time.

Greenhouse

The Greenhouse is now thriving after a rough beginning. They are able to grow and harvest a variety of vegetables which are used in the schools feeling programme. This is helping to cut the cost of purchasing food.

Emerging Leaders

Isaac is very aware that he and his team are getting older and that they are needing to think of a succession plan for the future. They have one of their students David now in medical school and one of the residents at Forward Green Nancy attending teachers' college. They also have Isaac's daughter starting medical school in November.

The hope is that those that are willing and have the skillset will train and work at the clinic and the school as they already know the history, the values and their way of doing things.

Personal Stories

Two of the boys, Eric and Benson, who grew up at Forward Green Hostel since they were 2 years old and attended Nguluni school, have now graduated from university. One studied software development and the other mechanical engineering. Both have returned home and after the loss of Robert are helping with the home and the children. Both have a heart for God and for helping others by continuing Robert's legacy.

Partnership's Influence within the Community

Fellowship of Believers Nguluni Chapel continues to be a pillar of strength and a source of spiritual growth for the community, especially the youth. The Chapels Easter Seminar was a success as was the Leaders Seminar and an upcoming Doctrinal Seminar.

The clinic has expanded and is now able to help and accommodate more people from their community.

The school continues to provide quality education to the children of community.

Ideas for the Future

Isaac has many ideas and plans for the future including:
- The purchase of a new patient monitor
- Additional hospital beds
- Construction of maternity ward
- Acquiring an ambulance

Current Issues and Challenges

One of their challenges is the high cost of medical training. They are committed to helping and mentoring students to train in medicine but the cost significant.

There is the ongoing challenge with the difficult reality that many patients are unable to afford their treatment due to poverty and economic hardship.

The school has faced challenges with enrolment which has now improved but growing and maintaining the student enrolment remains a challenge. Having the students' fees paid is a challenge and adds to the fee deficit the school already has from students who have come from Forward Green over the years. Financial strain in the community leading to school fees not being paid.

Inadequate facilities and a number of repairs are needed around the school.

The cost of medication/drugs is high.

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Praise for the school: student enrolments have improved.

2) Praise that the greenhouse is now thriving and providing fresh vegetables for the school feeding programme.

Comments

Despite not being able to set up a full pharmacy, they are still able to make a profit with the haematology machine and the internal pharmacy. I do not think we need to give them anymore financial support for now and think they are capable to being self-sustaining.