Spiritan Refugee Service Tanzania
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Spiritans bring the word of Christ
to those who have not heard itSpiritan Refugee Services -
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Twenty-nine Years of Service to the Refugees in Tanzania
Since 1995 the Spiritan Refugee Service (SRS) of the Tanzanian province of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit has offered pastoral services to refugee communities from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. SRS currently serve the Burundian and Congolese Catholic communities in the Nyarugusu refugee camp located in the far western region of Kigoma in Tanzania.
The camp has a population of over 136,300 people including 14,000 who have fled the recent fighting and insecurity in northeastern DRC.
Over the years the Spiritans have built two chapels in the country's settlement camps for religious celebrations.
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Visiting the Sick
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Chapel Construction
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Mass In Nyarugusu
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Healthcare---A Pressing NeedThe health care of the chronically ill and disabled is a shared concern of SRS, the refugees in Nyarugusu, as well as for government leaders of the refugee hosting community, Makere Division, an area with over 294,000 people.in an area with over 294,000 people. For example, Makere Town and the surrounding villages neighboring Nyarugusu have only one government dispensary to serve 62,000 people, more than double the government-recommended ratio of 1 to 25,000.
In response to a request from the leaders of the refugee hosting community, SRS will open a health facility in 2024 in the village of Kalimungoma, on the outskirts of Makere Town. The facility will also serve refugees from Nyarugusu, who will be referred by the camp for service it does not provide.
The predominant diseases in the region are malaria, upper respiratory infection, sexually transmitted (STI), urinary tract infections, diarrhea in children, and waterborne diseases.
Some postpone seeking treatment, often resulting in serious complications in cases that could have been treated had they received prompt medical care. Severe medical cases require referrals to one of the district hospitals, the closest being 19 miles from Makere Town by the main road. There is no ambulance, and traveling this distance can even result in death.
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SRS Responds to the Need
The Spiritan Refugee Service purchased a 22 acre plot, in the village of Kalimungoma, with the Congregation of the Holy Spirit as the sole owner. The village is in the Kigoma Region near Lake Tanganiyka southeast of Makere Town, a short mile drive away. Head of Mission, Fr. Daniel Waweru, C.S.Sp., lives on the site and oversees the on-going constuction.Phase I construction of the outpatient, maternity, and x-ray equipment is complete, as well as the house for the staff, and a toilet block. The facility will open in late 2024.
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Medical Service Provided Phase I
The purpose of the facility is to provide improved health and well-being through quality, reliable, affordable health care, and accurate diagnostic services, within a reasonable distance.
Phase I construction of the outpatient, maternity, and x-ray block is complete, as well as a house for the staff, and a toilet block.
The clinic expects to serve 15,000 clients monthly, including refugees coming from the Nyarugusu Settlement camp. The x-ray machine is installed; beds and furnishings have been donated; an ultrasound machine, various equipment for the lab, and two air conditioning units have been procured.
The facility is slated for opening before year end 2024.
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Fr. Daniel Waweru, C.S.Sp. Progress Tour
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Phases II & III
Phase II envisions a minor operating theater ($85,000), an in-patient department ($130,330), and related equipment ($48,610).
Phase III envisions expansion of the facility to qualify as a hospital under Tanzanian government regulations.
The campus will easily accommodate the growth aspirations of Phases II and III of the project.
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Funding
SRS was awarded a three year grant for the cost of Phase I. Additional co-funding, in kind gifts, and a local contribution ensure Phase I's completion this year.
Long-term sustainability will be achieved through fees charged in accordance with government guidelines.
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How you can help
Medical equipment needs include items such as:
- patient stretchers
- drip stands
- an anesthetic trolley
- an electrical suction machine
Any amount you can give will be received with gratitude and put to use!
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You Can Help
Heal the Sick and Infirmed -
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Contact Us
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Fr. Paul Flamm, C.S.Sppmfjpiccspgmail.com -
Fr. Daniel Waweru, C.S.Sp.wawerumakanjagmail.comHead of Mission
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