Expanding from the old clinic to the purpose built facility was a huge investment but added so much

The clinic was seeing 300-350 out-patients per month in 2004 at the original clinic site behind St Stephen's Church, Lukuli. The house of Joyce Bbosa had become a delivery room with two tiny wards in the old bedrooms. The patients still stood in a walled area for washing and mothers had to walk to the pit latrine - maybe at night - and it was not ideal for expanding our care.

What followed in 2004 and 2005 have been examples of what happens when a group of committed people decide to do something and bring together companies, government, churches, charitable organisations and dedicated individuals. PLEASE don't rush off to build health units - we learned that adopting the established staff and old clinic was the correct route and only later did we build anew. But we now have space and serve over 800 out-patients a month; so we did need the space!

Where to build - the location where we started was set back from the road, and in the dimly lit area it was not easy to reach at night and was not visible from the passing traffic. One ideal location at Nanganda junction was far too expensive, but the founding committee and St Stephen's church committee approached Namirembe Diocese and negotiated a free lease of land on which the new facility stands. 600 sq metres of land was allocated, on the roadside, with a large playing field for events nearby. We have a 25 year rent-free site for serving the community.

What design to follow - the services we already offered included out-patients, some laboratory work, deliveries and some admissions but counselling and child health days were outside in the parking area/ grassy area under the trees. Either too dusty, hot or wet for many patients and not at all confidential. So our new clinic would need wards, consulting rooms, training/ waiting areas and also scope for expanded laboratory, pharmacy and counselling (and HIV) services. Designing with plumbing, electricity, ease of maintenance and security were all important considerations. The office layout of rooms around a courtyard was our preference, but with a roof on the courtyard.

Help in the design - Engineering Missionaries International (www.emiusa.org) are great!! Combine trained construction planners, architects and managers with a strong faith-based motivation to serve and be fortunate to have representatives passing through Kampala. The plans on the adjoining pages are their designs and we had bills of quantity and great advice. We had to assure them of our ability to implement (pay for) the final construction.

Fund raising and contributions - Building is rarely cheap and as we now know, the bricks and cement are only part when you also consider the interior finishing, electrics and equipment. Clare and Philip made a significant contribution in 2004 and 2005 to the cost of the construction, materials and labour but also attracted the many others who helped with donations in kind - individuals and companies around Kampala. Our partnerships with members of local community, who donated stones and bricks or were paid as labour, and companies around Kampala significantly helped with the cost of materials. Cement from Bamburi Hima, paint from Sadolin, sanitary ware from the Tile Centre and tiles from CTM were free. Metal supplier, Roofings, and PVC windows from Hwan sung had 30% discounts.

Master builders and supportive supervision - All construction has scope for short cuts and materials going missing. We had limited funds and so making effective use of the EMI designs and getting it right first time was essential. God-send M.L. Swanee Schwanz was already in Uganda on another assignment but felt it was not the best use of his talents and we were fortunate to be introduced and on hearing our goals and purpose, Swanee became our foreman and on-site supervisor. The team of Ugandan builders was led by Fred who worked with Swannee to adapt the EMI plans for the reality on the ground. Swanee's huge range of equipment means that construction was done correctly and we have a solid, stable building with 90degree corners and no cracks or leaks to date. The construction was rapid in 2004 and continued under Fred's leadership when Swanee left Uganda.

Interior finished and equipping - Rotary International: Clubs of Makindye and Cheltenham Cleeve Vale:
During the construction of the new health unit in 2004 and the opening in 2005, we received huge support from the clubs of Rotary International in Kampala and Cheltenham - the home town of two of the founders. The Cheltenham Cleeve Vale club raised funds from its members and friends as well as District contribution. With further support from Makindye club, which hosts the clinic, and a Matching Grant from The Rotary Foundation, we received over $21,000. This purchased furniture and instruments for the wards, a large power inverter (back-up) to help us through the many power cuts, and over 1,500 treated mosquito nets which were for free distribution. We are pleased that the club and its members have continued their support and interest in our work, including a visit in 2007. This was to recognise over $3,000 of further support from the club and individuals Xmas 2007 visit

DFCU Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC):
The DFCU Group providing banking and leasing services in Uganda has a broad and committed programme of support to HIV. With support from the IFC, DFCU have supported Hope Clinic Lukuli to upgrade the laboratory services and add to the equipment and furniture as the clinic has expanded over the last two years. The onging DFCU support is expected to continue into 2008. DFCU IFC

The DFCU Bank employees have continued the support of their management and during 2007 have collected Shs 1,000 from their salary each month. In March 2008 a donation of Shs 4 million (over $2,000) was made to finalise the lab improvements. The clinic can receive support in a number of ways and the help we have received to date has included people’s time, their technical skills (medical and non-medical) and creating a link to a fund provider, equipment provider or to another NGO that wishes to use the clinic as an outreach base.

Support has been received and is welcome in many forms: helping us to link with and gain access to an existing programme seeking an outreach location; links to volunteers and self-funded individuals with professional expertise for one day, short term or longer relationships; guidance on grant providers or offers to link us to a group of friends looking for a safe project to support. If you already know of a way to help us or have equipment or funds please contact us by e-mail and we can discuss it further. E-mail: support@hcluganda.org I read the Bank or Gift form