Recent Reports

RMF has continued to implement our sports development program, which is promoting psychological wellbeing, life skills, and cooperation among the youth. The program has helped diffuse some of the tension existing between different tribes from South Sudan.

Medicine and Human Resources Support

Medicine and Human Resources

The Congolese Refugee Crisis in Uganda

The recent fighting has driven an influx of more than 65,000 refugees from DRC into Uganda and the situation is abysmal. There is no water, sanitation, healthcare, shelter, or roads to support these people and all repatriation processes have been halted. The establishment of additional shelters, water sources, communal kitchens, start-up vaccination for under-five-year-olds and support to existing health centers have been ranked as urgent priorities.

The refugees are currently camping at the Bundibugyo and Kyangwali Refugee Settlement areas at Bubandi sub-county headquarter land. We have been…

Project Background:

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008.

Project Objectives:

Project Background:

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008.

International World Refugee Day Celebrations conducted on June 20th, 2013 at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. RMF/WCF contributed funds and supplies to the celebrations.

Project Objectives:

Project Background:

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008.

Photo: Scholastic material supplies being delivered to the vocational school:

Project Objectives:

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008.

Photo: Florence Kabwimura, a former student of Panyadoli Vocational Institute Hairdressing Course, is doing well at the Bweyale trading center where she just opened a ladies salon, and is able to…

Project Background:

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008.

Photo: Sorting through the new semester's Vocational Training supplies for the Hairdressing Program

Project Goal:

Assist the refugee settlement with treating the most prevalent…

Project Background:

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008.

Project Goal:

Assist the refugee settlement with treating the most prevalent conditions in the refugee population with special attention to Malaria and Malnutrition at the Panyadoli Health Center.

Project Goal:

Assist the refugee settlement with treating the most prevalent conditions in the refugee population with special attention to Malaria and Malnutrition at the Panyadoli Health Center.

Support the education of refugee school children.

Develop the economic and livelihood component of our humanitarian work through vocational training. 

Photo below: Students learn foot massage technique as part of hairdressing and beautician training at Vocational Institute

Photo above: Tailoring students at work and the graduate ceremony at end of course.

Project Objectives:

Project Goal:  

Photo below: Dr. Martina Fuchs and some of the Nursery school students RMF supports at Kirandongo

Project Objectives:

Project Goal: Assist the refugee settlement with treating the most prevalent conditions in the refugee population with special attention to Malaria and Malnutrition.

Project Objectives:

In recognition of today's World Refugee Day, we would like to highlight our work with refugees in Uganda and the overall plight of more than 40 million uprooted people around the world. With conflict and natural disasters escalating in many countries, finding new homes and allowing refugees to restart their lives is increasingly difficult.

Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) supplies the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda, a home to more than 26,000 Sudanese, Kenyan, Congolese and internally displaced Ugandans, with something rarely found at refugee camps; HOPE. Providing this hope to Kiryandongo by supporting the…

Project Goal: Assist the refugee settlement with treating the most prevalent conditions in the refugee population with special attention to Malaria and Malnutrition.

Target Population: Over 40,000 residents in the Bweyale region, including 26,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Sudanese, Congolese and Kenyan Refugees which are the main target population (we have seen an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and are expecting more to join the camp starting in May 2011).

Project Objectives:

• Provide funding for the registration of candidates in senior four and six…

Assist the refugee settlement with treating the most prevalent conditions in the refugee population with special attention to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Malaria and Malnutrition.

Over 40,000 residents in the Bweyale region, including 26,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Sudanese, Congolese and Kenyan Refugees which are the main target population (we have seen an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010).

Objectives:

Kiryandango Progress Report, September 28th, 2010

The following report summarizes the 15th of May through 5th of September time period for the School Support and Acupuncture programs at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.

School Support:

Photo: Congolese pupils seeking sponsorship

During the first week of May, RMF Director of International Relations, Jonathan White, was hosted successfully at the Kiryandango Refugee settlement for three days and had the opportunity to see our School Support and Acupuncture programs in detail. Jonathan also held meetings during his visit, with all of the stakeholders involved: community leaders, UNHCR and Government representatives, schools’ teachers and principals. The following report summarizes the March to May time period for the School and Acupuncture programs, as well as feedback and recommendations for the continued success of our initiatives…

As RMF’s Jonathan White travels through Africa, you can follow him in photos. You can view Jonathan’s complete collection of photos with short descriptions here.

After the clinic, and our support of the Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools make up the next biggest component of our program in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The students we support are mostly Kenyan refugees, but there is also a small group of Sudanese students and one Congolese that receive full support for school fees and supplies as well.

Unfortunately, due to travel logistics, the week spent in Uganda was the same week as the inter-semester student holiday, leaving the school halls and classrooms virtually deserted. Fortunately however, I was able to visit one…

The Kenyan refugee community at Kiryandongo remains deeply appreciative of Real Medicine's tuition support program for the children in the settlement. Students continue to study comfortably without stress because their school fees are paid and scholastic materials such as books, pens, and pencils are provided.

During this reporting period, RMF provided school fees and scholastic materials for the following 876 students children in nursery, primary and secondary schools:

Beth Cole and Daystar Nursery School — 260 Can Rom Primary School — 487 Panyandoli Self Help Secondary School — 129 Total…

When the Kenyan refugees arrived at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement one and a half years ago, there was no provision for nursery school at the settlement. The community requested that Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) provide support for two nursery schools. The settlement provided space for the Daystar and Beth Cole Nursery Schools and the schools were established. The burden of paying nursery school fees is usually imposed upon the parents, however, RMF is paying these fees, along with providing school supplies and morning porridge for 260 Kenyan children. Without nutritional support, the children often leave…

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement is comprised of approximately 5,000 Sudanese and Kenyan Refugees. Surrounding this area are over 10,000 Ugandan IDP’s (Internally Displaced People).  The Panyadoli Health Center, which Real Medicine is upgrading, is the main health center for these communities.

Malaria

Malaria is perhaps the most pervasive of infectious diseases in the world, killing millions each year and rendering still millions more sick and bedridden.  Traditionally, malaria medications are high in demand, costly when not subsidized by government and/or international aid organizations and their efficacy varies.  The Kiryandongo Settlement is no exception. Year after year…

In December, 2008, RMF conducted a site visit to Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement to assess the acupuncture and other programs, and to train a select group in basic acupuncture protocols for conditions prevalent at the camp. The community welcomed us with songs, poems, and dramas, many of these about the effect of acupuncture in the community. The common thread was that community issues such as domestic abuse, stress, and alcoholism were all ameliorated with acupuncture treatments. It was a bit surreal to watch these dramas unfold on the red dust of Africa, under a mango tree, surrounded…

Upon reaching Tororo, Uganda, the RMF team was greeted by Srs. Clare and Margaret, Franciscan sisters working at the Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School in Tororo, Uganda. The student population at Mama Kevina is mostly from Northern Uganda where the children have been affected by the ongoing wars, floods and HIV/AIDS. Many of the students' parents were slaughtered by rebels or killed by AIDS and left as orphans. Two of the boys were forced to be children soldiers.

Srs. Clare and Margaret and other Franciscans provided aid relief at the temporary Kenyan refugee camp, Mulanda Transit Center on…

Dear all, Today's our official "wrap-up" day here on the coast: tomorrow we return to Nairobi, flying out the following day.   Of course it all seems a bit bittersweet at this point, having finished all the people part of the work; just some reports to finish, documents to collate & the follow-up. Beth will be going out to the rehab center this afternoon to do some more yoga with the group since most of our time here has been focused on the acupuncture.   This week training the drug detox staff probably went the smoothest of the 3…

We’ve now finished our 2nd training, which took place at Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School. The school was established 2 years ago by a couple of (Ugandan) Franciscan nuns, Sister Clare and Sister Margaret. The primary 3 populations among the students: children affected by the war in the north (including “invisible children” and child soldiers), those affected by the flooding that affected ½ the country last year, and AIDS orphans. The remaining are just plain poverty stricken, or have other, more personal disasters.   The school is secondary, meaning for high school aged kids (although because of interrupted studies,…

I’ve wanted to write sooner, but electricity is sporadic and our days are long and full, so here I am on a Sunday afternoon, ready to write.   It’s been almost 2 weeks since we left Hawaii. Took us 5 days to get to Tororo, Uganda, where the first trainings are taking place.   Judah & I flew from Hilo to Honolulu to L.A. to New York to London (where we took the tube to visit the National Museum of History during our 12 hour layover) to Nairobi.   In Nairobi we stopped over at the Abha Light offices,…

Dispute over results of the 2007 Kenyan presidential election resulted in widespread demonstrations and ethnic violence. In the first 2 months of 2008, over 1500 people lost their lives, and over 300,000 people were displaced. As many as 12,000 Kenyans made their way into neighboring Uganda.

Early in March, and under strong international pressure to find a resolution, the Kenyan government has signed a power sharing deal with the opposition party' a first step toward lasting peace.

Kenyans have lost family members, homes and businesses; schools and churches have been burned down. Many of the refugees in…

Background:

The World Children's Fund Mama Kevina School is both an orphanage and a boarding school that provides education and care for orphans in Eastern Uganda.   The boarding school caters to both orphans and some local paying students and is located just a few kilometers outside of the town of Tororo in Eastern Uganda, about 200 kilometers from the capital, Kampala.

Started as the Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School, it was opened in 2006 with international financial support, and with the goal of providing both secondary education and vocational training. The student population is…

Background:

The World Children's Fund Mama Kevina School is both an orphanage and a boarding school that provides education and care for orphans in Eastern Uganda.   The boarding school caters to both orphans and some local paying students and is located just a few kilometers outside of the town of Tororo in Eastern Uganda, about 200 kilometers from the capital, Kampala.

Started as the Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School, it was opened in 2006 with international financial support, and with the goal of providing both secondary education and vocational training. The student population is…

Background:

The World Children's Fun Mama Kevina School is both an orphanage and a boarding school that provides education and care for orphans in Eastern Uganda.   The boarding school caters to both orphans and some local paying students and is located just a few kilometers outside of the town of Tororo in Eastern Uganda, about 200 kilometers from the capital, Kampala. 

Photo: Doug Kendrick, Ruth Kendrick, and Angela Geddes being welcomed to the World Childrens Fund Mama Kevina School.

Started as the Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School, it was opened in 2006 with international…

Background  

Background:

We are proud to announce the significant expansion of support to the Mama Kevina School through the generous funding of World Children's Fund starting in the Second Quarter of 2012!

Photo: Students at Mama Kevina celebrating their new World Children's Fund Sponsorship

The Mama Kevina School is both an orphanage and a boarding school that provides education and care for orphans in Eastern Uganda.   The boarding school caters to both orphans and some local paying students and is located just a few kilometers outside of the town of…

Project Goals:

Project Objectives:

Project Goals: • Supply the students of Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School with food supplies and support the local youths in the surrounding slums, as well as the general population of Tororo. • Support Mama Kevina with medicine so that the school nurse can treat the children within school premises.

• Alleviate post-traumatic stress for the students at Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School, local youth in the surrounding slums, as well as the general population of Tororo, and Malaba at the Uganda/Kenya border, and Lira Nursing School in northern Uganda, and rounding villages…

Target Population: Students at the Mama Kevina Secondary School, local youth in the surrounding slums, as well as the general population of Tororo, and Malaba at the Uganda/Kenya border, and Lira Nursing School in northern Uganda.

Project Goals:

Target Population: Students at the Mama Kevina Secondary School, local youth in the surrounding slums, as well as the general population of Tororo, and Malaba at the Uganda/Kenya border, and Lira Nursing School in northern Uganda.

Project Goals: • Alleviate post-traumatic stress for the students at Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School, local youth in the surrounding slums, as well as the general population of Tororo, and Malaba at the Uganda/Kenya border, and Lira Nursing School in northern Uganda, and rounding villages to the college. • Decrease cases of malaria among school staff…

The following is a story told by RMF's Uganda Project Coordinator, Charles Naku, about a heart patient that we, together with Mending Kids International, sent to India for a heart operation.  This was done last year, and John Ochwo is currently in good health, slowly continuing to heal and about to go back to school.

Report from RMF’s Naku Charles Lwanga:

“I was filled with hugs the day I broke the news to John’s family that John is going for operation abroad was approved and date is fixed. The family had got stranded with…

Project Goals: • Alleviate post-traumatic stress for the students at Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School, local youth in the surrounding slums, as well as the general population of Tororo, and Malaba at the Uganda/Kenya border, and Lira Nursing School in northern Uganda, and rounding villages to the college. • Decrease cases of malaria among school staff and students.

Project Objectives: • Provide continuous treatment by Naku Charles Lwanga to Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School in basic auricular acupuncture protocols for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). • Provide support for treating and…

Our Acupuncture Treatment program at the Mama Kevina School and surrounding areas in Tororo continues successfully although the school is now struggling to stay open due to the loss of its operational financial support from its primary donor. During the first week of May, RMF Director of International Relations, Jonathan White, visited the Mama Kevina campus and met with the principal of the school, Sister Clare. Sister Clare presented the school’s urgent financial situation and has since presented several different appeals for funding that are included later in this report.

NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association)…

RMF’s acupuncture outreach and yoga programs at the Mama Kevina School in Tororo, Uganda, continued to serve those in the community in need of ongoing support for post traumatic stress related complaints. The student population is mostly from Northern Uganda where many children have been affected by ongoing wars, floods and HIV/AIDS. Many of the students' parents were slaughtered by rebels or killed by AIDS and left as orphans. Two of the boys were forced to be children soldiers.

In addition to RMF Country Coordinator, Charles Naku, taking time to treat students, taxi drivers and community members living…

Little Sister of St. Francis, Sister Margaret Awor opened the Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School in 2006, which provides both secondary education and vocational training. Presently the vocational component offers training in baking, computers and agriculture, with the hope to soon train students in tailoring and carpentry. Enrolled at the school are children ranging in age from 13 to 24 who attend secondary grades 1 to secondary 4. The student population is mostly from Northern Uganda where many children have been affected by ongoing wars, floods and HIV/AIDS. Many of the students' parents were slaughtered by rebels or…

Students, bodabodas (taxi drivers), youths, and children of Mama Kevina and the surrounding slums have had continued treatment of beading, and needling for PTSD because of the high efficacy of these simple treatments.

Even some of the locally trained staff has made changes to make their services more accessible. Patrick Ojuman has been practicing yoga with the students of Mama Kevina for some time and now sleeps at the school to wake up early to teach the children yoga.

Faith Karakacha, a nurse trained by RMF is providing relief to people in Tororo at the Kenya border.…

Aketch Tereza, a 16year old girl in senior four at Mama Kevina Comprehensive School in Agururu Tororo, is one of the students traumatized by war and HIV/AIDS. She is an orphan losing her father in war and losing her mother to HIV/AIDS. She was raised by her grandparents enduring the hardship of the rural poor. School fees and daily meals were very difficult to attain. Afflicted with nightmares of falling in a ditch and being chased by someone with ill intent Tereza took advantage of acupuncture treatments being offered at Mama Kevina. Treatments reduced the stress of being…

The students of Mama Kevina have continued yoga practice and find that the classes help relieve their stress. The teachers are providing yoga nidra (yogic sleep) – a deep state of relaxation proven useful for PTSD.Faith Karakacha is providing relief to people in Tororo at the Kenya border. Many cross the border coming to Uganda, particularly seeking body point acupuncture treatment.

Mella Health Center continues to treat the community for PTSD and common health conditions with the NADA protocol and body point acupuncture.

RMF has identified Mending Kids located in California as a…

Background:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

Congolese Refugee Camp (near Kiryandongo/Panyadoli), many of these refugees are expected to be

transferred to Kiryandongo and utilize the Panyadoli Health Center.

Background:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

Photo: One of our child patients at the Health Center, see Success Story below

Project Objectives: 

Background:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

Photo: Karaoke Newton, one of our patients at the Panyadoli Health Center.

In 2009, Real Medicine Foundation in collaboration with UNHCR and…

Project Background:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

In 2009, Real Medicine Foundation in collaboration with UNHCR and the Office of Prime Minister initiated a center-wide upgrade to restore the function of the…

Project Background:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

In 2009, Real Medicine Foundation in collaboration with UNHCR and the Office of Prime Minister initiated a center-wide upgrade to restore the function of the…

Project Goals:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

In 2009, Real Medicine Foundation in collaboration with UNHCR and the Office of Prime Minister initiated a center-wide upgrade to restore the function of the…

Project Goals: Upgrade and maintain the clinic to a new hygienic and operating standard; to restore optimal function back to the levels prior to IRC pull out and reduction in UNHCR support.

Project Objectives: • Provide medicine, medical supplies, and medical support • Support the Health Management Information System Maintenance (staff and petrol supply) • Maintain hygiene at clinic to Best Practice Western standards • Enhance existing structures for Malnutrition Ward and Main Center • Provide cooking materials such as charcoal stoves, saucepans, utensils, etc. • Unblock the pipes in some of the building at the…

Project Goals:

Upgrade and maintain the Panyandoli clinic at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement to a new hygienic and operating standard.  The target population of the clinic are the over 55,000 residents in the Bweyale region, including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Sudanese, Congolese and Kenyan Refugees which are the main target population. We saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

Project Objectives:

• Provide medicine, medical supplies, and medical support • Support the Health Management Information System…

Project Goals: Upgrade and maintain the Panyadoli clinic located in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement to high hygienic and operating standards; to restore optimal function back to the levels prior to IRC pull out and reduction in UNHCR support.

Target Population: Over 40,000 residents in the Bweyale region, including 26,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Sudanese, Congolese and Kenyan Refugees which are the main target population (we have seen an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010).

Project Objectives: • Provide medicine, medical supplies, and medical support • Support the Health Management…

Panyandoli Medical Clinic support at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda

September through December 31st 2010 reporting period

Project Goal

Through the funding support of World Children's Fund (WCF), our goal is to upgrade and maintain the Panyandoli clinic to high hygienic and operating standards; to restore optimal function back to the levels prior to IRC pull out and reduction in UNHCR support.

Project Objectives:

Panyandoli Health Clinic Third Quarter Progress Report

RMF’s Panyandoli Health Clinic at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement continues to be a thriving and successful primary health clinic serving thousands in the surrounding community.

Through RMF and World Children Fund's (WCF) support, the clinic has become a reliable source of health care within the community. Prior to RMF/WCF providing medicine support, patients accused the health centre workers of giving them only pain killers. Patients come from many different parts of Kiryandongo, some patients even leave Kiryandongo Main Hospital and come to Panyandoli Health Center because there is no…

RMF’s Panyandoli Health Clinic at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement continues to be a thriving and successful primary health care clinic serving thousands in the surrounding community.

Children's ward occupied with admitted children

RMF drug delivery for May

RMF’s Director of International Relations, Jonathan White, had the pleasure of visiting the Kiryandongo Settlement from May 3rd to May 7th.  During this time, Jonathan was given the full tour of all the Panyandoli clinic buildings and supplies by the clinic director, Dr. Simon.  Jonathan also met…

After the rousing and heart warming welcome to Kiryandongo, the next two days were spent immersed in our projects and meeting everyone who spoke at the community meetings one on one – partly to make personal connections with those who manage our projects, and partly to gauge the effectiveness of our funding and prioritize the rest of our year.

The majority of our year’s funding was already committed to the operating costs of our primary clinic (staffing, medicine, and other supplies) and the school fees for the students we support, with a small amount left over for…

Since November 2009, as a result of the joint contribution of medicines by RMF and the UNHCR, and supported by WCF, the Panyandoli Health Center has had an ample supply of medicines to meet the needs of the Kiryandongo Settlement and the surrounding communities.

The coordination of medicines and medical supplies to the clinic has made a significant difference to the community and has increased the clinic’s treatment capacity and overall reliability.

RMF Country Coordinator Uganda, Naku Charles Lwanga reports, “Through RMF’s support, the clinic has again become a reliable source of health…

The upgrade of the Panyadoli Health Centre has changed the community's perception of the health centre and as a result, over the course of the year, the number of patients visiting the health centre has increased.

In addition to the facilities upgrade, RMF has already started playing a crucial role in support of the clinic's health care delivery by bridging government funding gaps. Recently, in a joint effort with the UNHCR, Real Medicine Foundation purchased much needed malaria medicine for the clinic, which ran out due to the increase in cases of malaria during the current rainy season.

Clinical officers with donated mattresses

Cleaning Health Clinic Grounds

Country Coordinator, Charles Naku and leaders at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement orchestrated the painting of bed frames and the interior and exterior of all the wards at the health clinic. Gallons of white and green paint were purchased taking into consideration Masindi Ministry of Health’s color scheme preference. Many of the refugees along with the chief clinical officer had prior painting experience. Rather than hiring from the outside RMF employed those inside the settlement to upgrade the Panyadoli Health Clinic with fresh coats of…

The success of our acupuncture and malaria programs in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda has lead Real Medicine to another opportunity to support the primary health care available in the area.

Situated just outside of the settlement is the Panyandoli Health Care Clinic, which provides care to the more than 16,000 refugees and IDP’s (internally displaced people) the region. In an agreement with the Ugandan government and the UNHCR, RMF, with support from World Children’s Fund, will upgrade all in patient wards, provide rain water collection, a computer for reporting, medical supplies, cooking stations and will investigate…

Project Goal:

Develop the youth advancement component of our humanitarian work through games, sports training, vocational training and other educational opportunities. 

Project Objectives:

Provide funding to assist the operations and growth of the Buwate Sports Academy.

Summary of RMF/MTCF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period under each project objective (note any changes from original plans):

Background:

Real Medicine Background at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land and support for more than 25,000, comprised of Ugandan IDPs and refugees from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.  RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango and the greater surrounding community of Bweyale (an additional 30,000 residents) with health care, education and vocational training since 2008. 

Photo: Auma Santa, a graduate of the RMF Vocational Training Tailoring Program works on a table cloth

…