Horn of Africa Project
This has been a period full of remarkable efforts and great achievements. We have worked tirelessly to bring to fruition our goal of improving the lives of those in need around the world. In this recent period, the Horn of Africa project has been a major vehicle in delivering our successful results.
The Horn of Africa project was commissioned to provide those living in the Horn of Africa region with the resources and materials that could make a positive difference in their lives. In particular, the project aimed to provide medical equipment to local hospitals that were in dire need, and to support locals who would otherwise travel long distances to receive the basic medical care that they needed. The beneficiaries of these donated resources, which includes Jig-jiga University Sheik Hassen Yabare Referral Hospital and Harar Regional State Health Bureau Jugel General Hospital, can now boast of much improved facilities and vastly superior patient care.
Through the generous contributions and support of our community, our crowdfunding campaign has been able to raise over $37,409, which will cover the transportation costs of the containers loaded with donated materials and equipment. We are extremely proud to note that the first container has already been loaded and sent out for transport, and should reach its destination of Berbera Port in early October.
While we have enjoyed enormous support from far and wide, we would like to give special thanks to some contributors.
Western Health, which has generously donated an abundance of vital equipment such as ICU beds, transfer trolleys, ECG machines, ultrasound machines, defibrillators, radiography systems, patient monitors, ventilators, IV holders, monitor screens, and endoscopy towers. Austin Health, which has generously donated dialysis equipment that is sorely needed in the smaller communities of the Horn of Africa region. Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, with which we have entered into an amicable agreement to lend an Echo machine donated to us for their vital work treating patients in Australia and they have generously donated numerous mini health monitors as a thank-you, with more hopefully to come.
The Rotary Club of Canterbury, which through their spectacular FORaMeal initiative has generously donated around 100,000 meal packs. McGraw Hill, which has generously donated multiple stacks of medical textbooks, which will no doubt provide inspiration to the multitude of students in the Horn of Africa region. Appreciation is owed to an anonymous contributor who has very generously donated a dental X-Ray machine. Finally, it would be remiss of us to fail to mention the outstanding work of the DIK management and volunteers, without whom we would find our task all the more difficult.
It is through the invaluable support of those who have donated their materials, resources, and time that we have been able to make such large strides to achieving our lofty goals.
We have recently been recognised with the People of Action Award for our work providing medical equipment through the Horn of Africa project. Although we have committed to selflessly work towards providing better lives for all those who are experiencing hardship and misfortune, it is still gratifying to see our efforts have been acknowledged and we hope this will provide further motivation to continue on this path we have set for ourselves.
As already mentioned, we have already sent out our first container, and we are pleased to announce that we will be loading our second container shortly. Our goal is to raise $45,000 and load a third container of goods for dispatch to Berbera Port before the end of the year.
In summary, we have enjoyed great success in this recent period, and we hope to replicate and even improve on this phenomenal success in the coming period. No effort has been too great or too small, we owe our success to everyone involved. Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their tireless effort and generous contributions.
Jama Farah
International Chair Rotary Club of Footscray
DG Ron Paine inspecting goods prior to loading in container.