We praise the Lord for the reopening of our male medical ward. It has been closed for the last 9 months for renovations. Thanks to our partners both in the Netherlands (Eye for Zambia and Wilde Ganzen) and the US (BICWM) for the generous donations which made this possible. This completes phase one of a 2 phase project. Now that patients have been shifted back in, we are starting the same renovations of the female ward.
Opening day
Before and After picture of the “Veranda” used for TB patients and overflow when the ward is full.
Before and after picture of the ablution (restrooms).
Before and after picture of the Sluice Room for cleaning soiled instruments and equipment and disposing of contaminated materials.
Before and after pictures of the main ward
While the renovations of the female ward get under way, we already have our sights set on several new projects as well.
The Care House (left) and community Hall (right)
The Care house was built around 2009. Its purpose was the care of HIV patients. Originally funded through the Netherlands, it was built by the hospital for various areas of care of patients with HIV. Most patients today are seen at our newer ART clinic and for various reasons this building was left to decay. The Zambian BIC church has recently granted the hospital the use of this building just at the back our property. We have been praying for a place to set up our program for Children with disabilities and have been hoping this facility could be used. The size of this building will also allow for other programs as well. One of our local BIC congregations wants to do some counseling and this building’s kitchen and cafe area will be a good place for this to start. Unfortunately, in Macha there is a lot of alcohol abuse, depression and suicide. A counseling center will be a great addition. The old community center, which sits next door, has been used for storage for many years. We are hoping to revitalize this building back to a center where youth and families can come together in a healthier environment to help combat the culture of drinking.
As you can see there is significant need for renovations in order to start using this building. Two large rooms are planned to be converted into dormitories for students at the nursing training college. Currently we do not have enough space to house all of the students. We hope that these buildings can bring students back onto the campus to a safer environment more conducive to studying. This month we have had one young man die of alcohol intoxication after having partied hard following his exams and another almost die in a suicide attempt also involving alcohol. The avaibility of this building couldn’t have come at a more needed time.
Of course, we are also very excited about being able to start a program in conjunction with the Special Hope Network (a comprehensive developmental program for children with disabilities in Lusaka). The large classroom will be perfect for housing our therapy for children, moving it out of the playroom in the pediatric ward.
As another confirmation of God’s timing, when Maggie was visiting at New Day Children’s Village this past week, she had the chance to meet with the special education specialist there. It turns out that she has spent several years working for the Special Hope Network in Lusaka (6 hours away) but is now in Mapanza (45 min away) and would be an invaluable resource to help us get this new program going. God is Good!
We are so excited about these changes and even overwhelmed. There is so much to do. Please pray with us for guidance and sound planning. Pray the right people are trained for these programs. Pray that we would use this space well and for God’s glory. Pray for funds to make the needed renovations and startup cost of furnishings and equipment.
To See a video update about this project go to:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YtHHofl7qCSRC7GVPzW46vq49e98i8KQ/view?usp=sharing
To donate to this project, give at: https://partnership.bicus.org/project/general-support-macha-mission-hospital/
Mark and Maggie BICWM 