As part of the organisations Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and the International Citizen Service (ICS) we have been working in Northern Uganda in the Kitgum district. The area is in redevelopment following the social disruption resulting from the 20 year civil war within the region which came to an end in 2008.

Whilst completing our work on sustainable community development, specifically in the area of improving livelihoods,  we came across Kigum General Hospital that is also the regional health centre for nodding syndrome patients - a condition which affects the continent and baffles medical professionals because as yet the causes are unknown and there is no cure. 

Recognising the need to take a multidimensional approach to community development, we believe that supporting the hospital and other neighbouring health facilities is key in helping to restore the community.

We therefore really need your help to raise money so that the hospital, which lacks the most basic resources, is adequately supported. In particular, the nodding health centre which accommodates children and young people, consists of 24 beds in a open hall with no privacy and no gender separation at all. This has led to many issues from patients not wanting to be admitted especially the females and cases of sexual assault and rape including from other patients.

We would therefore love to be able to build a wall to facilitate gender segregation and give patients some much needed privacy.

Another huge issue we need to tackle is the fact that the centre is in the same compound as the mental health centre including psychotic patients whom have been known to wander off and attack the vulnerable children. It is therefore necessary to build a fence to seperate the two centres maintaining safety for all.

The last issue at the hopsital we would like to tackle relates to the maternity unit. The midwives do not have the protective equipment nor do they have the necessary tools to ensure safe delivery of newborns. Even resources as basic as clean bed sheets are lacking with patients being asked to provide their own.

We therefore really need your help to raise as much money as we can to invest in these healthcare facilities. All the money raised will be utilised to directly support the hospital and the services it provides. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our crowdfunding page, and if you are able to make a contribution, however small or big, please know it is for a good cause and would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you!