Medical Clinic In September 2005, work began on a medical clinic near Namatanda Village, a remote area where health care is presently not available. The clinic will offer treatment to people as outpatients. This will include treatment for malaria, diarrhea and other diseases not requiring complicated procedures or treatment. Serious cases will be referred to the main hospital. Maternity cases as well as voluntary counseling and HIV testing will be offered as well. Construction was interrupted in early 2006 when funds had to be diverted to meet a hunger crises. Work resumed in June. In July, thanks to donations received during Clement's visit to West Michigan in May, we sent money for paint, ceiling tiles, eave troughs and glass installation. A letter from Clement in September 2006 reported good progress was being made. Additional funds are needed to complete this project. “I was consulting with the construction workers and they have told me that the next stage will pretty much be finishing stage and finishing touches take time. They however contend that they can effectively finish the work in two months. The only thing would be the availability of funds. I have noticed that once we have enough funds at once the work tends to go faster because we are not delayed by lack of materials…. I hope we can get the funds quickly because it’s exciting to see the place transforming so quickly...It fires me up!” On September 4 he added: “We have already sent a letter advising relevant authorities. I will make a follow-up Monday and see what their plans are…. I have just spoken with the people who are responsible for staffing and equipment provision. I will know when they are opening tenders tomorrow. As for the staff, they have identified three out of the seven people needed. Will let you when all this is done.”
Rural Development and Training Center In May of 2006, Clement sat down and articulated a vision for a project he has long been dreaming about and mulling over in his mind: the construction of a rural training center. “In Malawi,” he wrote, “as in many African countries, we inherited a school system that in many ways prepares people for white-collar jobs. Because of this attitude, people view bankers, lawyers, doctors, etc. as being successful and representing the cream of our society. Unfortunately, not many will achieve that status and the reality is more disturbing. We have fewer jobs to offer to our new college and secondary school graduates. The other problem is that since many of the youth are not ready to engage in jobs viewed inferior by society, sectors such as agriculture remain the most undeveloped. “To start changing this trend, a new approach, such as introduction of a training center could provide for a chance for graduates to excel in jobs traditionally seen as inferior. Such a behavioral change is necessary especially now when new jobs are not adequate to sustain the ever-growing number of those leaving educational institutions each year. It is in line with this that this project proposal was arrived at.” Thanks to the generosity of a West Michigan family, groundbreaking for the Leslie E. Tassell Mangochi Rural Development and Training Center took place in June 2006. The center will offer training in such areas as permaculture and other sustainable agricultural methods, woodcarving, carpentry, tinsmithing and metal fabrication. Education in conflict resolution, democracy and basic human rights will also be offered, as well as programs addressing social issues such as AIDS awareness and prevention. In order to utilize the buildings fully, the project may also include a kindergarten for orphans and possibly a feeding program. The first phase of the project entails construction of a lecture hall and four classroom blocks, including electrical wiring. The second phase will involve installation of furnishings and equipment for use in the trainings, and the third phase will involve construction of a perimeter fence to ensure safety. Estimated cost of the project is $66,000, with construction to be completed within six months. The center will be supervised by Clement with an onsite manager to oversee day-to-day operations. Local groups and skilled craftspeople will be invited to do the trainings. Some help may be available from the British Government through its Aid Agency DFID, which is funding rural polytechnics in areas where communities themselves have identified buildings. Talks are going on for them to consider funding purchase of related equipment. It is hoped that this project will be a model for similar ventures in other parts of Malawi.
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