April Report

Update on our Farmer Livelihood and Resilience to Climate Change (FLRCC) program. 

Project Overview:

RRHS, with support form Kiima Foods NGO has implemented the FLRCC program in the Kibolhu village. The project focuses on driving transformations in agriculture and tackling the root causes of climate change, food insecurity, nutrition security, poor ecosystem health, poor household hygiene and unsustainable incomes at household level in the project targeted communities. 

Project Goal:

"To strengthen smallholder farmers livelihoods and improve their resilience to climate change and increase incomes of 80 smallholder farmers through the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture technologies and practice."

April Action (background):

Increased demand for water due to low rainfall can cause water sources including boreholes and springs to run dry. Conversely, heavy rainfall and flooding can damage water sources and sanitation facilities, carry run-off, and waste into streams and lakes, and contaminate the water supply. Alternatively, flies from human faeces cause diseases to not only selected homes, but to both the homes of the poor and rich. 

Most families live without pit latrines.

Kigoro 1 Parish Rukoki subcounty is one of the parishes where most families live without pit latrines. Based on the scope of health education, RRHS partnered with Student Nurses Rwenzori School of Nursing and Midwifery. Surprisingly, some households were running away fearing to interact with student nurses. Nevertheless, we achieved our goal of fourteen days of community nursing. We concluded with a well focused Health Education talk that targeted key stakeholders, and it comprised of demonstrations on open free defecation and water purification. 

Nurses carrying out educational talks. 

The Difference Between Hygiene and Sanitation:

During the focused health talk, we discussed that both hygiene and sanitation are crucial in maintaining good health and preventing dangerous disease as they both aim for cleanliness. The commonly used phrase when talking about hygiene is 'personal hygiene'. Since hygiene mainly relates to the human body, maintaining good personal hygiene helps prevent the spread of pathogens among people. Sanitation mainly relates to:

• Safe disposal of human urine and faeces 
• Food sanitation, since food can easily pass the pathogens into the community 

Water structures.

Water purification demonstration in progress.

Student nurse seen documenting the as-is health situation at one of the household kitchens. 

This month we highly advised communities in the village to adapt to clean cooking because breathing the smoke produced from cooking with pollution fuels lead to heart diseases, stroke, cancers, chronic lung diseases and pneumonia among others. We were lucky that one person was able to construct the stove and now interest in this is growing. Clean cook stove reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing thermal efficiency and reducing deforestation. 

Clean cooking stove constructed in Kanyageya Parish by project adaptors.

To keep up with RRHS activities, please visit the RRHS Facebook Page. Visit the RRHS YouTube page to see our videos.

If you would like to donate or share your skills, please email us via ruralservices60@gmail.com.

Volunteer Application

 RRHS - Volunteer Online Application:

Rwenzori Rural Health Services is a Community Based Organisation (CBO) founded in 2005 in the Kasese District. It is registered with the District Local Government and presently operates in the Kasese District. It's broad objectives are:

1. Promoting Rural Health and Sanitation 
2. Participating in Development Issues As Planned by the Local Government and Development Partners
3. Community Capacity Building on Climate Change Adaptation Strategies 

See our website for more details on our projects. If you would like to volunteer with us, please fill out the form below and and email us the response at ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

If you would like a Word Document form of the volunteer form, please email us. 

Barbed Wire Fencing

January 2022 

RRHS, with funds donated by Majid Jarid and brother (USA), was able to implement a project of fencing the Kabughabugha Domiciliary Health Care Clinic with barbed wire. This is to protect the nurses from domestic animals and intruders. This project is linked to the Sustainable Development Goal No.3, established by the United Nations in 2015 - "good health and wellbeing."

Funds for this project were donated for the specific activities below:

1. Procurement of barbed wire roles 
2. Procurement of poles 
3. Procurement of nails 
4. Skilled labour 

We have been able to put up a barbed wire across the entirety of the Clinic land. We have also installed a lockable temporary gate. See below for pictures!

Live fencing planning in progress.

Side view of the completed fencing.

The new temporary gate.

Platelets for fencing purchased with local funds. 

RRHS is excited for future projects, which you can be a part of! To volunteer or intern with RRHS, or to donate to a project, please email us via ruralservices60@gmail.com.

Visit our RRHS Facebook Page and RRHS YouTube Page for more exciting pictures and videos of our latest activities!

A happy, clean and safe Clinic, thanks to your donations. 

Solar Installation Project

 2020 

Solar panel installed with a grant of US $150, this shall be upgraded in the future to support a computer and a fridge. 

RRHS understands the importance of electricity in excelling development in rural areas. Our Rural Health Clinic was established in the village for two main reasons:

1. To increase the number of deaths attended to by skilled personnel as a means of reducing the maternal mortality ratio.
2. To create a space where professionals can interact with rural communities/interns and design health visits, carry out health follow-ups, and outreach sessions. 

The major complications that occur for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths in this area that we would like to reduce include:

• Severe bleeding after birth 
• Infections after birth 
• High blood pressure during pregnancy 
• Unsafe abortions 

As a developing Health Care Clinic since 2014, our nurses have been working with only decent lighting. They are dependent on lamp and candle light while they carry out their curative services. To progress the Clinic, RRHS purchased one medium sized solar plate, however, at the time, we failed to meet the budget for installation. The installation, with wires to last five years, was estimated to cost UGX 1,700,000 (US $150). 

Nurse at night searching for the right drug for the right patient, using only a lamp light. This is very inconveniencing. 

Nurse preparing for intravenous fluid treatment using only candle light. 

After receiving a grant of US $150, RRHS was able to purchase a small battery, small wires and other assorted items, as well as hiring a skilled person to install the solar plate. Now the clinic has light, inside and outside. RRHS very much appreciates this fund. Like our Executive Director Mr Charles Kiima always says:

"Any bit of help is always valued."

With the grant, RRHS was able to purchase assorted items for the installation of the solar panel.

Because we were only able to purchase a small battery and small wires, the Clinic is unable to support the running of  a computer or a fridge. Currently, the nurse is able to charge her mobile phone and have lighting in the clinic. 

When we receive a donation to buy a larger batter in the future, we shall upgrade the system to be able to accommodate a laptop computer and a fridge. 

Solar panel fixed on the roof of the Rural Health Care Clinic. 

A light fixture being placed outside the clinic to chase away the darkness. 

Light in the clinic has chased away the darkness! The nurses and the patients are extremely happy!

On behalf of the entire community and project beneficiaries; we thank all those friends that have contributed to making this project a reality. On a strong note, we thank Emily for coordinating the fundraising for this specific project. It is our wish that, RRHS will maintain a strong and fruitful relationship with all partners to continue improving the Health Care Clinic. 

Project beneficiaries outside the RRHS Health Care Clinic. 

RRHS is always looking for our next project. If you would like to volunteer/intern with us, or donate to our projects, please email ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

Also visit our RRHS Facebook Page  and RRHS YouTube Page for more pictures and videos on our latest projects. 

Thank you for any and all contributions to our community!

Mama Kits

 August, 2022

Improving Maternal Health Through The Provision of Mama Kits

In 2014 RRHS, with partners FCDE-USA and Majid Jarid, constructed and functionalised a domiciliary Health Care Clinic to supplement government efforts in improving maternal health care in Kabughabugha village. Since then, RRHS has kept the clinic registered with the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Council (Kampala). 

Certificate of registration with Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council Kampala 

During a recent project launch, RRHS procured 125 Mama Kits from the Anike Foundation to hand out to mothers. 

Mama Kits sorted to be handed out to young mothers.

RRHS invited professional midwives to educate community members on the values of safe deliveries. The skilled and professional midwives were able to conduct a play, teaching community members about the dangers of delivering under poor hygienic conditions, and comparing this to delivering in a hospital setting. 

Midwives put on a play to show the dangers of unhygienic deliveries.

Young mothers presented songs supporting the professional midwives in promoting clean delivery. 

Young mothers singing songs promoting clean delivery. 

Everyone is listening attentively to the speeches given by the professional Midwives.

Retired Environmental Health Officer in action. 

RRHS is glad to have partnerships which promote rural development. If you would like to partner, volunteer or intern with us, please email us at ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

Visit our RRHS Facebook Page  and RRHS YouTube Page for more pictures and videos on our latest activities. 

Farmer Field School

February 2023

RRHS, with support from Kiima Foods NGO, launched the 'Farmer Livelihood and Resilience to Climate Change' project, lasting 11 months from January to November 2023. This project includes 80 farmers who act as key ambassadors for their households. 

Beneficiaries of the RRHS Farmer Field School receiving basic project tools to rehabilitate the land. 

Project Goal:

"To strengthen small-holder farmer livelihoods, improve their resilience to climate change, and increase the incomes of 80 farmers through the adoption of Climate Smart agricultural technologies and practice."

Lyahin da Xavier (Diploma in Agriculture) and Muqisa Godfrey (BA Social Work) led our 'Application of Agricultural Technologies' workshop, from which 49 participants successfully acquired skills after training. They taught about the A Frame Level. 

"This is a simple, yet accurate tool used for constructing contours on a hillside or slope. It is useful in the basic construction of hillside farming systems, as well as for establishing level contours and drainage ditches."

Project beneficiaries after discussing the root causes of climate change and integration of Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies

Project participants in action 

Prior to using the A-Frame for accurate marking of contours on a hillside or slope, project participants were in small groups for inductions on how to construct the frame. 

Project participants in action, starting to make the conservation trenches.

Project participants determined to rehabilitate their gardens by making conservation trenches.

Kiima Foods volunteer at work. 

Project participants making conservation stretches.

Project participants were exposed to the economic value of planting tomato trees.

During Farmer Field School, participants were subdivided into manageable groups and coffee stumping was successfully completed

Project participants in a group planning event. 

RRHS is grateful for all that have helped in this project. If you would like to volunteer/intern with us please email us via ruralservices60@gmail.com.

Check out the RRHS Facebook Page and RRHS YouTube Page for more pictures and videos on our latest activities. 

Breastfeeding Mothers

 January 2023 

During our first Farmer Field Class, project beneficiaries identified that mostly lactating women, infants and children are strongly vulnerable to climate change for several reasons. 

• Climate change creates conditions that make it difficult for infants to breastfeed, especially during hot spells 
• Climate change shocks greatly effect women and children, especially when there is a shortage of farm produce. There is need to quickly transform farming systems to green farming/smart farming that supports breastfeeding.

During our learning sessions, we highlighted climate change threats in relation to a breastfeeding mother:

• Water related illnesses, water shortage/scarcity during hot spells 
• Reduced nutritive food systems
• Respiratory illnesses 

To have a clear understanding of climate change adaptation, infant nutrition and breastfeeding, RRHS collaborated with our partner Rwenzori School of Nursing and Midwifery to carry out demonstrations of the three topics. 

Students from Rwenzori school of nursing in action, promoting better practices for breastfeeding in relation to climate change adaptation.

The three professional midwives from the School of Nursing that moderated the session talked about a range of topics including:

• Breastfeeding in the First Hours
• Positions for Breastfeeding 
• What to do about Breast Pain 
• Not Enough Milk

Nurses advised communities to take note that daily activities can collectively make a big difference and that individual has a role to play in the fight against climate change. 

Nurse breastfeeding demonstration in action. 

RRHS is very happy with this collaboration, and the excellent work of all the nurses. We are also excited that our community is very engaged in these community meetings. 

If you would like to donate to our projects, our volunteer/intern with us, please get in touch via ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

Check out the RRHS Facebook Page and RRHS YouTube Page for more pictures and videos of our latest activities!

Community Stories

Read below for testimonials for members of our village, on how the RRHS and EWB Mini Gravity Flow Scheme has helped them. 

"My name is Ngoto Domiano - male, aged 65 years, a resident of Kibonderya village. I personally thank Mr Kiima Charles for linking this village to EWB-USA. The truth is no one knew that a water tap with running water can even be in this area! Now when I go to collect clean water from the tap, I stand and think twice, trying to remember how RRHS and EWB have caused a difference. I always look at Kiima Charles, a young man and recall what the EWB-2017 visiting team said - "We shall support this community to have water reach the desired point - Kibonderya." The difference can happen at any time, I have believed. My request as an old man is to maintain the relationship created between this community, EWB-USA and RRHS Uganda."

"My names are Mupanda Oliver, female, aged 65 years and resident of this village. With my old age, I have never thought of piping just the existing natural water spring to benefit almost communities across two villages and beyond. To assure you, RRHS/EWB have contributed to change that the resident's value most in this part of the world. While I extend my appreciations to the two organisations, RRHS/EWB USA, I must also thank the person that I do not know in the other part of the world, who started some thing called 'Internet-Connectivity'. It is actually because of the internet existence that we got linked. I thank everyone for the related development work done as well as the financial resources. We have been saved from moving long distances, wasting a lot of time looking for water. We are going to have a new life. My humble request is that Kiima Charles should start mobilising friends to initially learn more about Gravity Flow Community Sacco-Village Bank, as it is going to be the core project sustainability strategy." 

RRHS is always looking for our next project. If you would to partner with us, volunteer/intern with us, or donate to our projects, please email ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

Also check out our RRHS Facebook Page and RRHS YouTube Page to see photos and videos from all our latest projects. 

Mini Gravity Flow Scheme SUCCESS

 09/11/2020 

The Kabughabugha Mini Gravity Flow was first discussed with Engineers Without Borders in 2015, and agreed upon by a visiting team from West Virginia University in 2017. The purpose of the mini gravity flow scheme was to increase water access and directly improve sanitation and hygiene at a household level for 1500 individuals in the targeted area. RRHS is excited to report the successes of the scheme. 

RRHS was presented with a golden chance to achieve water goals, as a natural spring water existed in a neighbouring community since before 1962. RRHS and EWB jointly employed innovative ideas and improved the water spring into a mini gravity flow scheme. 

The first success of this project was the acquisition of all materials by the EWB-Uganda Country office, for which RRHS is very grateful. RRHS also worked tirelessly to acquire permission from land owners to allow passing pipelines, as well as updating the country office on the progress of the project. 

100% material procurement was achieved by EWB-Uganda country office.

The second success was the completion of the 10,000 litre tank seen below. This was the result of volunteer work from many in the village, and the effective planning and liaising of the EWB-USA team, as well as EWB-Uganda office. Everyone deserves a pat on the back for this success. 

10,000 litre tank has now been installed.

The creation of two water points (seen below) has improved community lifestyle and has contributed to a brighter future in the area. 

Two water points allow for a brighter future for the community. 

RRHS and EWB also worked together to ensure the Health Care Clinic had the necessary water provisions. The primary objective of this project was to increase water access and improve sanitation and hygiene across the village and the clinic. To this end, EWB contributed to the purchase of one complete sink which was installed in the delivery room. 

Executive Director Charles Kiima commented: 

"I am proud to say that after the nurses support the mother in delivery, they are able to WASH. Thank you to EWB for this support."

"In the future, it is our goal to construct a stand alone maternity block."

Water sink installed in the deliver room of the RRHS Health Care Clinic.

EWB also supported the clinic with the installation of a hand wash point located at the RRHS Clinic entrance. This allows improvement of hygiene and a means of confronting Covid-19 in the village. 

Hand Wash point found outside the Clinic to improve rural hygiene.

Future plans and next steps:

1. Strengthening user committees for project sustainability via the Village Bank Establishment 
2. Establishing new linkages/partnerships targeted at bringing a brighter future to the village 
3. Mobilising resources to enable us to construct small houses on each water tank to avoid possible burning during bush fires
4. Extending the water line to the desired end point - the Kibonderya Village 

If you would like to contribute to any of these goals, whether you donate, share, or volunteer, then please email us via ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

Check out our RRHS Facebook Page and RRHS YouTube Page for more pictures and videos, and keep up to date on all our latest activities. 

Promoting Good Health for Pregnant Mothers

RRHS was able to mobilise funds donated by Majid Jarid and brother (USA) to complete our Kabughabugha Health Care Clinic. RRHS is grateful for any and all donations, as it goes towards rural development. These funds allowed us to improve the clinic for pregnant mothers and their new babies, as well as contributing to the targets set for the Sustainable Development Goal No.3 established by the United Nations in 2015:

"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages."

Front view of the Clinic. 

The supplementary budget was donated for the specific activities below:

1. Painting Walls 
2. Labour Painting 
3. Sand Soil for Plastering 
4. Electricity Connectivity 
5. Postnatal Ward Ceiling Installation with Plywood 

The supplementary budget was used specifically to support RRHS to complete the clinic block. RRHS is grateful for all donations, as this allows to improve rural development. If you are thinking about donating, please email ruralservices60@gmail.com.

See the Shamsi-Sanjideh Ward. Here RRHS was able to complete the following activities:

• Completing the Ceiling 
• Painting Walls 
• Installing Hand-Wash Basin 
• Buying Wooden Beds 
• Installing Windows 
• Completing the Floor 

RRHS also completed electricity installation in one room in the Clinic. Installation was only done in one room as per the budget. In the future, extension to other rooms shall be made easily. 

Electric bulb installed in one room only. 

During implementation of this project, price fluctuations affected the RRHS supplementary budget. Although planned activities for the donation included project launching and drug procurement alongside Clinic renovation, budget for the former two was spent on only renovation due to price increase for cement, paint and labour. 

Next Steps:

Looking at the Clinic with all the assets we have so far put into the project, and the need for the privacy of the patients, there is need to construct a perimeter wall for good security. If you would like to donate, or volunteer your time for a project with us, please email ruralservices60@gmail.com. 

Also visit our RRHS Facebook Page  and RRHS YouTube Page for more information about our latest projects, and to see more pictures and videos!