Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2013/2014: Ground Breaking Ceremony of The Project for the Expansion of Ramula Community Dispensary

2015/2/27

H.E. Tatsushi Terada, Ambassador of Japan signing the visitor’s book at the Ramula Dispensary

Ambassador Terada touring the current facility with officials

Ambassador Terada planting a tree.

Mr. Joshua Atieno, Member of Kisumu County Assembly planting a tree.

Title	Ground Breaking Ceremony of The Project for the Expansion of Ramula Community Dispensary
Date	27th February, 2015
Location	Ombeyi, Ramula, Muhoroni Division, Kisumu County
Project title	The Project for the Expansion of Ramula Community Dispensary
Amount	US$92,367 (Approx. Kshs 8.2 million)
Attendance	H.E. Tatsushi Terada - The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kenya Mr. Joshua Atieno - Member of County Assembly　(to represent the Governor of Kisumu County) Mr. Sospeter Ngere - Muhoroni Constituency (to represent the Member of National Assembly, Muhoroni) Dr. Elizabeth Oele – Officer of Ministry of Health, Muhoroni Sub-County Mr. Denis Chemonges – Officer of County Youth Development Mr. Aloyce Olang - Deputy County Commissioner Officials from Local Government The management and staff of Arise & Shine Care Center CBO and Ramula Dispensary The community members of Ramula Total of about 200 participants
Main activity	The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the “Project for the Expansion of Ramula Community Dispensary” which had its Grant Contract signed in 26th of January, 2015 was held in Muhoroni, Kisumu County and witnessed by among others, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. The Grant Contract availed funds to be used in putting up facilities that would improve the health of the community members. These include construction of a maternity ward, fencing the premises, installation of solar power systemand provision of medical equipment. Ramula Community Dispensary was built in 2011 through community contributions but was not operational due to lack of funds to purchase medical equipment. Alternative health facilities are located very far away and quite costly to access. For this reason, majority of the community members are unable to get medical care, hence the high rates of death from diseases and conditions such as HIV/ AIDS, malaria and epidemics. This high mortality rate especially among children aged below five years and parents has left many children orphaned and homes closed. The project is expected to improve conditions of maternity and child health care as well as provide services for the general wellbeing of the entire community. The ground breaking ceremony included planting of trees and a skit performed by the local community. There were also speeches from officials who expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for the promising health care project. They talked about the business culture in Japan which values time and quality and promised to build the quality maternity ward and complete the project within one year. While giving his remarks, Ambassador Terada congratulated the Arise & Shine Care Center for initiating the project. He encouraged the representatives to work together to successfully complete the project in order to improve the conditions of maternity and child health care along with their general health and wellbeing.

Photographs

Mr. Erick Dudi, Director of Arise & Shine Care Center planting a tree

Mr. Denis Chemonges, County Youth Development Officer planting a tree

Ambassador Terada breaking the ground to start the construction.

A skit performed by the community members depicting the importance of giving birth at a dispensary

Mr. Denis Chemonges, officer of County Youth Development giving a speech

Dr. Elizabeth Oele, officer of Ministry of Health, Muhoroni giving a speech

Mr. Sospeter Ngere, Representative of Member of National Assembly, Muhoroni, giving a speech.

Mr. Joshua Atieno, Member of Kisumu County Assembly expressing appreciation for the support from the Government of Japan.

Recommended Information

Ambassador Terada giving his remarks