Chizeni Clinic update April 29, 2002

April 29, 2002 Update on
LifeNets Chizeni Clinic in Balaka, Malawi

Report by Andre van Belkum, president LifeNets Southern Africa

On March 25 , 2002 I visited the site of the Chizeni Health Services Clinic in Balaka, which is one of the projects sponsored by LifeNets International. Balaka is a small town in the Southern District of Malawi, and is situated on the main road between the two largest cities Blantyre and Lilongwe. I was encouraged by the progress of the building. The main structure is completed, and Dr. Sam Chilopra and his wife Esther have moved into the four western rooms, from where they are serving the local community. Diseases, especially malaria, aids, dysentery, hepatitis, TB are causing untold misery to the people who live in the area. Unfortunately the local hospital is poorly equipped, and often don't have the drugs to treat patients.

Andre van Belkum

Carpenters and plasterers are presently working to complete the western section of the building. Electrical and plumbing installations still have to be put in, including wash basins, toilets, baths. Dr. Chilopora estimates that it will still take a further five to six months before the project is finally completed. He does not have access to the larger building contractors in the cities, and has to rely on small scale builders in the Balaka area.

Dr. and Mrs. Chilopora are performing a magnificent and outstanding duty in helping the local people in Balaka. With their qualifications they could be earning huge salaries in one of the developed countries, but instead have for about forty years being serving their own people in Malawi. Life is not easy for them, but they never complain. They just keep treating and counseling the many sick and dying individuals who come to the clinic daily. People in the US and other developed areas cannot begging to fathom the enormity of the problems faced by human beings in countries such as Malawi. The Chiloporas have to help and comfort those dying from aids, others who are malnourished, and others afflicted with the diseases already mentioned. It is not uncommon for young mothers who have walked a long distance to arrive with a baby that died along the way, and then to ask Dr. Chilopra to please heal the child ( in most cases the killer is malaria, which is one of the major causes of death of children up to the age of six years). As the Chiloporas mentioned, the only healing I can try and perform then, is the healing of the mind.

Once the Chizeni Clinic is completed, it will be a tremendous boost for the treatment of patients in a region where health services are woefully inadequate. What has already been done is a symbol of the love and concern of individuals for their fellow human beings who are less fortunate and privileged.

Since our last web report in July last year a lot of wonderful progress on Chizeni Clinic has transpired.

Bev and I visited the site of the one-third completed clinic in Balaka on September 28, 2001. Dr. Sam Chilopora along with his wife have valiantly tried to continue work on the Chizeni Clinic in spite of virtually NO finances. The roof was only half-covered. There were no doors or windows and the structure was fully exposed. (I'll show some photos of our September 2001 visit very soon...so please visit this page again).

After being under construction for about four years, it still had a long way to go before it could be used. About $28,000 was needed for completion.

When we returned to the United States, LifeNets sent Dr. Chilopora $5000 right away to get the building completely under roof and seal up the building by putting in windows and doors. This was done quickly. We sent another $10,000 before the end of the year to continue construction.

Elisabeth Tank, a University of Indiana student and veteran of Malawi work wrote three grant proposals to hopefully fill in the remainder of the financing. She has been a great source of encouragement and support for this project. The Marty Moore Foundation of Indianapolis awarded us a $1000 grant last week. We are awaiting word on the others.

On January 21, 2002 Dr. Chilopora moved into the half-finished clinic from the dilapidated warehouse in Balaka which leaked badly and was virtually unacceptable for clinic use.

LifeNets continues to send medicines to the clinic every three months that we obtain for 3% of cost and airmail to Dr. Chilopora.

Are you looking to help with a worthwhile project? Please help us continue to help the hard work of Dr. Chilopora. All donations are tax-deductible. Our address is

LifeNets
3707 Turfway Ct
Indianapolis, Indiana 46228

A few weeks ago, Dr. Chilopora's son received his medical doctor's degree and will eventually continue his father's work at Chizeni.

We are in the process of shipping a 40 foot container that will contain much of the furnishings for the clinic including hospital beds, furniture, exam tables, an operating table and much much more. This should leave here towards the middle or end of May.

On March 25th Andre van Belkum, LifeNets South Africa president visited the Balaka and took the photos below. We are so encouraged by the progress!

The roof of the Chizeni Clinic is completed! View from front with Dr. Sam Chilopora in the foreground