Location
Ruhunda, Eastern Province, Rwanda
Community Description
Ruhunda is located 20 km from the nearest regional capital, Rwamagana. The city remains largely untouched by modernity. While electricity and cell phone coverage are available, few in this largely agricultural region use these resources.
In the region in which the Ruhunda Health Center operates, there are 6 primary schools and 7 secondary schools. Students usually attend primary school in the region and then, depending on financial resources, begin secondary school at their local school or in a larger city.
Services offered at Ruhunda include maternity, general consultation for children and adults, minor surgery, family planning, vaccination, voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, and a vibrant community health worker program.
On average, the center sees approximately 1600 patients each month, including 60 in its maternity ward. According to Ruhunda’s director, it is not uncommon for the center to see 100 people or more each day in general consultation.
Common afflictions include respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and the flu, malaria, complications related to childbirth, malnutrition, and general wounds and skin afflictions.
The Ruhunda Health Center is fortunate in that it has adequate space for its daily operations, electricity, and a qualified and motivated staff. However, it lacks one critical element – running water. In maternity and consultation, the most frequently utilized rooms at the center, there is no running water available, and health professionals are forced to bring in water by bucket for daily needs and operations.
Project Description
This project is to provide water to the maternity, pediatric, and general consultation rooms at the clinic. Sinks will be installed in each of these rooms, and they will be connected to the water supply that exists on the health center property by underground piping.
Project funds will be used to pay for labor and materials. The Access Project and Ruhunda Health Center will pay for the transportation of all materials.
Project Impact
The 22,167 people who live in the cities of Gishari, Munyiginya, and Ruhunda will benefit from this project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Colleen Laurence
Comments
Gerard Kaberuka, Director of the Ruhunda Health Center, made this plea for renovations: “Everyone knows that water is the source of life. If we receive water, then we receive life. Water will decrease disease prevalence and improve the quality of services offered at the center.”
Water Charity, through its Appropriate Projects initiative, is pleased to enable this incredibly important project.
Dollar Amount of Project
$497.00
Donations Collected to Date
$497.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Colleen Laurence of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Colleen and/or those of her counterpart PCVs in Rwanda.
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion of this project, CLICK HERE.