Newsletter: June 2003
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death in March of Emmanuel, the seven year old son of Frank and Eunice Dzantenge whom many of you will know. Apparently Emmanuel was playing with his friends when he jumped into some water on a building site near his school and was drowned. Frank and Eunice have coped remarkably well, strengthened by their faith and by the many messages of support they have received.
There has been great progress at St.Andrew’s Hospital, Mtunthama since our last Newsletter in October 2002. As a result of the grant from DFID the new Maternity Unit is now open and the first babies have been born there.
The Operating Theatre, part of the same grant-funded development is now complete and awaiting equipment. The original Guardian Shelter has been extended in order to provide additional space and facilities the Under-5 nutrition programme which goes from strength to strength. Action Against Hunger visits the programme each week for staff training and also assists with food supplies, and other food donors are the Anglican Dioceses of Lake Malawi and the Norwegian Government through the good offices of CHAM (Christian Health Association of Malawi). Unfortunately Eleanor Bardsley, the English volunteer nurse who has done so much to establish and develop the Under-5 programme will be leaving at the end of June; she will be sorely missed. The bore-hole has been drilled, the holding tanks have been purchased, and we now await the delivery and installation of the pump. The entrance canopy to provide additional protection during the rainy season has been completed.
In the Mtunthama region this year’s crop has been better than last year’s, and so the adult feeding programme ended in April; unfortunately the better harvest is not mirrored throughout the country.
Plans for the future
In order to equip the Operating Theatre and to complete the equipping of the Maternity Unit an application has been made for financial support to USPG in London. If this does not bear fruit then we shall have to seek funding elsewhere.
Up to ten more medical staff will be needed as the new facilities come into full operation, and of course that means we shall have to set about the building of more staff accommodation. Again we are now seeking funding for this.
The electricity supply in Malawi is erratic at best, and with the new units it is essential that we now look to install a diesel generator to provide power during electricity cuts. Costs have not yet been ascertained, but they will be significant!
Thanks to the efforts of the Devonport Apollo Choir in Plymouth, who have supported us through several concerts, we are now in a position to buy a second-hand four-wheel drive vehicle as an ambulance. This will be available at the end of June.
Two groups of supporters will be travelling to Mtunthama in July to see for themselves what has been happening and to work at the Hospital and school.
As ever, we thank you for your continuing support.
May God bless you all.
Dot and Mac Forsyth