Lea's Clinic Project

I just want to let all of you know that Lea (my ama-twin, bridesmaid, neighbor, colleague, and extraordinary friend) is planning a major project to build and staff a new clinic in her enormous catchment area. The project was just approved as a Peace Corps Partnership Project and will soon be detailed under the link “Donate to Peace Corps Projects” on the right-hand toolbar of this page.

There is serious need for this clinic, the building for which was started some time back before Lea and I came to Nchelenge District. Lea’s catchment area spans 65km (40.4 miles) along Lake Mweru and another 30km (18.6 miles) away from the lake, and serves over 30,000 people with only two staff – one nurse and one Environmental Health Technician. There are villages in Lea’s area where people are expected to cycle or walk for 58km (36 miles) to get treatment at the existing clinic.

I hope you all find this inadequacy as appalling as I do and that you’ll be able to do whatever you can to support this project. They need to raise $27,100 to complete the infrastructure. The Luapula Provincial Health Office and Nchelenge District Health Management Team have committed to providing staff, supplies, and medications for this clinic once the infrastructure is complete. Your contributions will be tax-deductible and can be made in any amount with a credit card on-line through the Peace Corps Partnership website (click on the “Donate to Peace Corps Projects” link on the right toolbar).

Having spent a significant amount of time with Lea and her counterparts in her area, I can tell you that this project will be nothing short of a total success. Please offer whatever support you can offer and let your friends and family know about this opportunity to help people right here in my district of Zambia.