Mobile Medics

 

 

The Project

There are numerous governmental, international and local projects assisting people in a variety of ways throughout Southern Africa. We have chosen to meet some of the needs faced by a charity called Hope For Africa. Hope For Africa (HFA) is a locally run organization running an expanding number of projects in many African countries. Prior to 2000, HFA's work was concentrated in rural, black townships in South Africa. Since then the expansion has been mainly in the establishment of new initiatives in Malawi and Mozambique in response to the floods and then famine compounding the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS.

Hendrick Mahlangu, director of HFA writes, 'We have discovered that relief alone for a long time can also create a syndrome of dependency amoung the very communities you are trying to help. We have realised that the most effective way of helping communities is by helping them to realise their own potential to help themselves. So we have started not only to provide the much needed relief to these communities but also started to do community development projects. It is in that spirit that we are trying hard to help in the area health. Most of the areas where we are working have very poor healthcare, if any, and the general health in the communities in some areas is appalling.'

Of the health projects being run by HFA, two 'Health-posts,' one in Malawi and one in Mozambique and a new school in South Africa for HIV/AIDS orphans, have been identified as places that would benefit enormously from the vehicles that are being provided. At the Health-posts the vehicles will allow expansion of the work that is being done, both geographically and in terms of the scope of clinical practice. We are also planning to bring HIV/AIDS educational resources and durable medical equipment to all three sites and assess the needs for further assistance.

Mozambique

 Following the devastation of the Limpopo floods in February 2000, HFA began emergency relief projects in the Chokwe region of southern Mozambique. Initially this consisted of the provision of maize meal, tents and basic medical supplies to the worst affected areas. Subsequently, in association with the Government of Mozambique, HFA has established long-term development projects including a new primary school, a maize-milling centre, 120 new houses and a sustainable agricultural venture (with the help of a tractor lent by Nelson Mandela). The Health-post was built in 2001 and is currently staffed by two nurses. Basic healthcare remains one of this fragile community's greatest needs and yet they struggle to get even the most basic supplies. The vehicle we shall provide will allow a regular supply of basic medicines to be collected and will also function as a Ambulance/remote clinic vehicle allowing a wider area to be served.

Malawi

 Seeing the success of the HFA projects in Mozambique and South Africa, The Malawian Government appealed to HFA to assist during the emergency relief following the recent famine. Currently HFA is fully involved in the most drought-affected areas supplied maize from their stores in Mozambique and South Africa. The Malawian Government has made land freely available to HFA and a new agricultural project is already underway. A new Health-post modelled on the one in Mozambique is currently being established and, like it's counterpart desparately requires a support vehicle.

South Africa

 HFA's work began in the poorest parts of rural South Africa in 1969. It has grown massively in its scope and the numbers of people helped by its work under the leadership of Hendrick Mahlangu, a self-taught Zulu without any formal education. The latest initive in South Africa is the a new school in his home town of Siyabuswa. The school is now built and opened in January this year with 120 children, 30 of whom are HIV/AIDS orphans who have been given accommodation at the school. Basic healthcare is also provided through the school.