Want to make a difference? Have skills to offer...computing (blogging, Twittering, Facebooking etc)?
Fundraising experience? Health professional and/or educational know how?? Or just plain interest and
enthusiasm to bring?
We need YOU!
Background:
Chitambo, in central Zambia, has major historical links with Scotland. It is where Scottish missionary/explorer David
Livingstone died. The link becomes even stronger since the bi-centennial year of Livingstone's birth (2013). Together with the
Zambian government, Penicuik for Africa (PfA) has made major contributions to re-generating the remote Chitambo
community, including providing medical equipment and a landcruiser ambulance to the hospital; furnishing the new nursing
school and student hostel; and funding a nurse training manikin. All this on minimal resources and much local muscle!
As a result, PfA's Chitambo project grew exponentially. With so much going on, and PfA's other African commitments taking
off, it was time to re-think how best to support our Chitambo partners, at the nursing school in particular. Like many African
countries, Zambia is currently suffering a critical shortage of health workforce, including a 50% deficit in skilled nurses and
midwives. This has major implications for the healthcare of mothers and children in particular, since maternal and infant
mortality remain unacceptably high. The Zambian government is responding by scaling up rural health workforce and the reopening of Chitambo School of Nursing in January 2012 is a result. This will make a real difference. However, funds are
invariably short and our nursing school partners always welcome some additional help.
Friends of Chitambo:
There are many Friends of Chitambo, old and new, around the world, including Zambians abroad (some from Chitambo);
doctors, nurses and others who have served at Chitambo Hospital; and local Penicuik and other Scots who have an interest.
With such support, we decided it was time to form a separate Friends of Chitambo organisation and seek formal charitable
status. Friends of Chitambo was born and is now a fully fledged charity. We are 'growing' our membership.
Please join us!
There are opportunities for everyone to help. Activities have, so far, included providing medical supplies to the hospital; books
for the nurse training school; and 2 nurse training scholarships for particularly disadvantaged students. Further planned
activities include, for example, sponsoring a Nurse Tutor to undertake a Masters in Nursing Science; contributing to annual
maintenance of the Chitambo Ambulance, donated by our group for the hospital's centenary (2008); contributing to improved
infrastructure (beds) and food supplies for the relatives' hostel at the hospital; investigating potential for providing used
computers to various Chitambo businesses...to name a few! All these activities have been at the suggestion of our local Friends
AT Chitambo, based on their community needs.
You can help with awareness raising, fundraising and other activities. Alternatively, let us know if you simply want to be kept
informed about developments and we will add you to our circulation list.
For more information, to register interest or to make a donation, please contact:
Dr Jo Vallis (Co-ordinator) Friends of Chitambo
Tel: Home: 01968 673978; Mobile: 07791262918
email address: [email protected]
Thank you, we look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Friends of Chitambo SCIO: Registered Charity Number SC044337
Patron: Julie Davidson, Journalist and Author: Looking for Mrs. Livingstone, 2012, St. Andrew Press, Edinburgh.