IPAFU MISION RURAL HEALTH CENTRE- CHINGOLA

Integrated Epilepsy Project

Do good and let it be known by God alone (St. Alfonso Maria Fusco- Founding Father).

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………… 3

MESSAGE TO OUR COOPERATING PARTNER…………………………… 4

FAREWELL TO MRS. NEL COUMANS…………………………………………………………………………. 5

REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY…………………………………………………………………………………. 6

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES………………………………………………………………………………. 8

BREAKING NEWS……………………………………………………………………. 11

FINANCIAL REPORT………………………………………………………………

CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………

JANUARY – JUNE 2019 REPORT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To say that the implementation of the project was solely made possible by the efforts of an individual overemphasizes the matter. Without the significant and selfless contributions of competent people, the project cannot come to fruition.

It is against this background that I’m profoundly grateful to Jonathan Foundation for the exceptional support that has continued to be rendered to the Project. Thank you so much for your continued interest in ensuring that the quality of life for the most marginalised people in our community is given the deserved attention.

I’m incredibly indebted to the Members of Staff whose zeal and professional conduct cannot go unnoticed. Their sincere efforts are a blessing to the success of the project.

I’m deeply grateful to all the Volunteers for believing and supporting our efforts for an acceptable standard of living for our clients. I acknowledge their selfless giving and availability that ensured that the clients received moral support and for their presence to them especially when as members of staff we could not always be there.

Finally, I give a loud shout of acclaim to the Almighty God the Chief Shepherd of our Souls for the uncompromised love he has bestowed upon us thus far. To him be glory now and forever more.

MESSAGE TO OUR COOPERATING PARTNER.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Jonathan Foundation our principle funder for choosing to cooperate with our Centre in our endeavour to foster the love of Christ to the sick, the poor and incapacitated, who have a special claim on our love simply because they need it the most.

I want to bring to light that this is now the second time that your Foundation is engaging itself with us of which theIntegrated Epilepsy Project was adopted in 2016 to run up until 2018 that is to say, for the duration of two years. The main objective was to ensure that about 100 individuals living with Epilepsy lived in an acceptable family context, supported by the Community and enjoying a better standard of living. I must state that greater effort was implored in order to make this objective a reality which saw quite a good number of people enrolled and are still being enrolled. In our second project phase, the focus will be on the three main objectives which include;

1. Community awareness of the Epileptic basic components
2. Creation of a Stigma Free Community
3. Enabling Clients/families to be self sufficient

I’m glad to report that you approved our project proposal and to this effect, a total sum of money amounting to $13,735.00 was disbursed to our account in May 2019. We will ensure you that the funds are utilised according to what is stipulated in our strategic plan. As we implemented the first project cooperatively, I’m hopeful that we will take the same direction and ensure that the project principally benefits the intended clients thereby significantly contributing to the attainment of the desired goals.

I’m happy to report that during the period under review we managed to implement a few activities with the available funds. Due to late disbursement of funds and some other technicalities, we were hindered to implement the activities in time.

However, we will remain indebted to the entire team and we only wish you God’s abundant blessings and may He reward the generosity you have continued to show.

TRIBUTE TO MRS. NEL COUMANS

We learnt about the demise of the late Mrs. Nel Coumans, the Founding member of the Foundation with deep sorrow and despite the distance, we remained united with the rest of you in prayers, committing her soul to the Lord. This is our message to her;

From the stories shared we can assume that you dedicated your life to the service of others and we have zero doubt that you died an empty woman as you passionately gave the world all that was richly deposited in you by our Almighty God. Life on Earth is a pilgrimage. You completed your pilgrimage, now you see clearly and with wonder the richness of your being which we, still living see dimly as it were under the veil. We believe that you have gone to a better place and you are enjoying God’s Countenance, whom you longed for during your life here on Earth. Scripture teaches us that ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain but if it dies it yields a rich harvest ‘. John 12: 24.

May God reward you with an abundance of life and bestow upon you the crown of glory reserved for all who do His holy will.

FAREWELL AND MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE.

REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES – OBJECTIVE NO. 1

In line with objective number one which states that by the end of the three years, the Community should be aware of the basic components of Epilepsy, the Facility embarked on an activity of visiting different Schools with the intention of educating learners about Epilepsy. We believe that this activity will impact positively on the Community as change of mindset will begin in the early stage of their lives. It is also expected to instil in the learners, a positive atittude towards people living with Epilepsy and intellectual challenges, thereby moving a milestone towards the fight against stigma.Some learners are affected by stigma which contributes to droping out of school. The activity was exciting as the children brought out their understanding and myths imparted in them by their parents and significant elders. Teachers were also impresssed by this gesture as they also benefited greatly.

OBJECTIVE 3

In line with objective number three which deals with individual needs of Clients aimed at providing them with basic needs, the Staff, in conjunction with Community Volunteers conducted a clientele needs assessment and agreed to procure blankets for them. This was done to minimise accidents associated with fire most especially during winter period. The blankets were therefore purchased and distributed to almost all Clients whose joy could not be hidden as they received these items.

Distribution of blankets to Clients

ASSISTING LEARNERS

Amongest our clients, we have ten (10) Children who are in School and the most important gift they can ever receive is education. Therefore, we managed to procure School shoes, books and pens for them .

Handover of a wheel chair to Mr. Chileshe who has an eleven years daughter Rabbeca Chileshe who is intellectually challenged from birth.

BREAKING NEWS

1. LWIDNESS KAMOYA

This is the story of Lwidness Kamoya a girl aged seventeen (17) years of Lufwanyama B. Lufwanyama B is situated approximately 20km away from the Facility. The girl is not Epileptic but suffers a from a severe intellectual challenge. Lwidness stays with her grandmother who is well advanced in age. She cannot do most of the things on her own and the grandmother does almost everything for her.

Unfortunately, this girl became a victim of sexual abuse by an unknown person and fell pregnant. Although she had a rough gestation period, she safely gave birth to a baby girl who is being nursed by the grandmother. Efforts to trace the Father of the child has proven futile. As the Grandmother cannot afford to buy all the necessities for the baby, we took up the responsivity of providing the baby with some of the basic needs to ensure that she is safe. I gladly report that the child is so far faring well and we will try to ensure that she is not deprived of the basics.

VICTIMS OF FIRE ACCIDENT

Winter is a season which is delicate especially for persons with Epilepsy. The Patients are subjected to fire accidents most of the time. The facility during winter nurse quite a number of fire accident victims. This does not only affect Persons with epileptics but also those who are not Epileptic. This is because fire is mostly used to provide them with the warmth that is needed in the homes. The two boys in the picture below fell victims of the fire accident ad sustained burns. They were however admitted to our facility where, they received the care and both have recovered tremendously.

CONCLUSION

Irrespective of the fact that only a few activities were implemented, the period under review was full of exciting events and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who was a part of this great achievement.

“To God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine be the glory, Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

The report if you want to download:

A glance at the garden

Prepared by Sister Susan Katwishi

IPAFU RURAL HEALTH CENTRE

INTERGRATED EPILEPSY ANNUAL REPORT

JANUARY- DECEMBER- 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………………..3

Introduction………………………………………………………………………….….…4

At the aid of the Physically Challenged………………………………………………..….5

Clientele Expansion…………………………………………………………………. …,,.6

Home Visitations………………………………………………………………………….8

Impressions of my Journey to Ipafu -16^th October 2018…………………………….……9

Visitors from Jonathan Foundation………………………………………………………10

Challenges ………………………………………………………………………….…….12

Way Forward……………………………………………………………………………..12

Recommendations………………………………………………………………….…….13

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….…….13

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Integrated Epilepsy Project under Ipafu Rural Health centre, is once more highly indebted to the following people and institutions for their timely support:

1. All Board Members of Jonathan Foundation for their dedication and full support towards the Project.
2. All well-wishers in the Netherlands for their financial and technical support
3. The Sisters of St John the Baptist- The Provincial Superior and Council, for their involvement and commitment to the welfare of disadvantaged children.
4. The Community Volunteers and parents for their cooperation and willingness to work with us.
5. All the visitors from the Netherlands who sacrificed in many ways to come and visit the centre and for their material and moral support rendered to us
6. The Primary schools for accepting our Children in their schools for Learners’ integration purposes.
7. All Members of Staff at Ipafu Rural Health Centre for their collaboration in the care of the children with special needs and for hosting during the evaluation workshop and other meetings for the Project.
8. The Sisters at Ipafu for their Support and interest put in the care of the Vulnerable in the Community

1. INTRODUCTION

Through the strengthened Epilepsy project, in Ipafu Chingola -Zambia, the programme was able to carry out a number of activities including Home visitations, Meetings with both Community Volunteers and Parents. This year has seen the project enrolling twelve more clients whose total number now stands at seventy-one. It is also this year when the centre received visitors from the Netherlands, from whom we did not only gain knowledge and skills but also got inspirations and support. However, it is a well-known fact that happy days do not always go without bad days. It is this year when the programme lost two of our clients one male adult and one female child.

In spite of all the obstacles the Project in Ipafu has particularly been given extra motivation and drive to work hard through the inspiration of the committed and self- motivated Dr Piet and Anneke during the course of the Planning Meeting in October 2018. During the third quarter of 2018 the Project paid particular attention to the home visitations in order to know the real situation of the clients within their home environment.

As public sensitization is key to raising awareness in the community. the youth group was actively involved in sensitizing the community. The programme also continued to promote sustenance in order to improve skills in farming and business environment for self-sustainability.

We feel convinced that a lot more can still be achieved towards making a difference in the children we serve who have been marginalized since time immemorial. I therefore on behalf of the Project sincerely extend my thanks and appreciation to all those who helped us get over hurdles and pull through and made this year a successful one.

The project welcomes Sr Susan Katwishi as the new project Coordinator and bade farewell to Sr Florence Ngosa who has coordinated the project from inception.

With much gratitude,

Sister Florence Ngosa

1. AT THE AID OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

It is with great pleasure that I report to you the activities that we embarked on in the year 2018 for the Epilepsy Project in Ipafu- Chingola in Zambia .It is by the grace of God, and the gift of people like yourself that we managed to carry out some activities.

We procured two-wheel chairs for our two physically challenged children. It was really a happy moment especially for the Parents. It was a big surprise for them.

Elvet’s Mother could not keep her joy hidden but knelt down in a traditional way to appreciate this special gift. (In the second Photo on the right)

Florida Muyumbana

Deep joy could not be hidden on their faces. Praise God! To other People this may seem nothing, but in the lives of these parents, this gesture is what they longed for and they will forever remain grateful for.

1. CLIENTELE EXPANSION—– PROJECT’S MAIN OBJECTIVE

In line withthe project’s main objective which statesthat nearly 100 persons living with within our catchment area should live in an acceptable and supported family context. The facility has continued to record new Clients. This is a clear indication that we are moving towards achieving this objective. Thanks to the Volunteers whose efforts cannot go unnoticed as they tirelessly seek out these Clients. The total number of new Clients enrolled this year is twelve of which ten are Males and two are Females.

Currently the statistics aggregated are as follows;

These statistics translate to 71%

Patient type	Male	Female	Lost to Follow	Relocated	Defaulters	Mortality	Total
Epilepsy Only	17	8	0	0	0	1	24
Both Epilepsy &I/C	28	12	0	0	0	1	39
Intellectually Challenged On(I/C)	4	4	0	0	0	0	8
TOTAL	49	24	0	0	0	2	71

1. OUR HEAVENLY HOME

This world is indeed not our home; our true home is in heaven where our treasures are laid up. During the period under review, death did not spare us but robed us of two clients, a seven-year-old girl and a 48 years old Charles Kunda in June and August respectively.

Charles Kunda met his demise approximately two weeks after sustaining third degree burns in his house while trying to keep himself warm. He was found the following morning severely burnt and was rushed to the nearest health facility where he received attention but could make it.

I recall Charles Kunda at the meeting we had barely a month before his death giving a touching testimony about his life. He was one of the Clients who never missed his appointments and was keen on improving his lifestyle by involving himself in selling foodstuffs as his source of income.

CHARLES KUNDA

The man lived a poor and simple life but embraced an authentic Christian life. Despite his journey on this earth being rough, he never despaired but placed his hope in God as was testified by the members he congregated with at his Church. I’m certain that he is now kept warm not with a brazier but under the shadow of the Lord’s wings. Blessed indeed are the in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mt 5:1. MHSRIP

1. HOME VISITATIONS

It was a grace filled experience to visit the Clients and interact with them in their homes, with their family members and individually. It was also disheartening to find some Clients in bad conditions that needed quick interventions and support to regain good health.

Isaac Banda

During home visits, Mr Isaac Banda was found very ill and helpless. Mr Banda stays with his mother, who is old . His condition could not allow him to walk to the facility nor could his Mother find means to facilitate his movement. However, we managed to take him to Nchanga Hospital in Chingola town, so that he could access specialised Medical attention. Laboratory tests confirmed that he suffers from liver cirrhosis a condition that greatly is the cause of the ascites seen in the picture above.

Boas Chivunda is another Client who was found in pain, since he has peptic Ulcers. He shared with me that he was hospitalised for two weeks and was just discharged from the hospital. Boas spends most his time all by himself following his divorce with the wife and the son he currently stays with, is not found home most of the time because he is in employment.

The Clients were very Grateful that they were visited.

Lameck Mulenga with his Mother

Reuben Chibwe in his garden Felistas Muyoyo- Deaf and dumb

Sister Susan Katwishi

Project Coordinator

Ipafu Rural Health Centre-Chingola

1. “IMPRESSIONS OF MY JOURNEY TO IPAFU CHINGOLA 16^TH OCTOBER 2018’’

Do what is necessary, then what is possible and suddenly you’re able to do the impossible. (St Francis of Assisi)

On a very unique note, the Ipafu Rural Health centre has also extended it’s care to Children and Young Adults, who are Intellectually Challenged and those who suffer from Epilepsy. The Integrated Epilepsy Project at this Centre is unique in the sense that it is not only an internal initiative of the organization but something that will benefit a lot of other people in the other Health institutions in the near future.

From this origin, we can see how much passion the organization has for the most disadvantaged persons in our communities. It takes total commitment and selfishness for an institution to lend a hand to others thereby changing their way of living. This is exactly what is happening at Ipafu rural Health centre. The spirit which reigns in this centre shows a new thinking in the population.

I can only congratulate all Donors, the Staff and the Community, who have helped to create this centre, this little piece of paradise. It is really splendid – a place of hope, joy and happiness.”

It is exactly two years since the inception of the Epilepsy in Ipafu Rural Health Centre and lot has taken place. The Project is slowly but surely taking the persons with disabilities through steps to independent living, which will eventually improve their welfare in a holistic manner that does not deprive them of their association with family and the community.

1. VISITORS FROM JONATHAN FOUNDATION

Piet and Anneke from the Netherlands visited the centre from the 19/10/2018 to 25/10/2018. The Planning meeting was held to draft the objectives for the next three years phase. The Community Volunteers, Youths, Patients and Members of Staff were part of the team that participated at the three days’ Planning meeting.

When the Visitors, Mr. Piet and Anneke told us that they would visit our Centre in October 2018, I took the opportunity to join them on this mission.

Leaving Kitwe from Ndola airport in the direction of Chingola town, we drove on some pot-holes and the school minibus we used gave us a shock, it developed a fun sound and a lose spare tyre was discovered to have the fault. Dr Piet took the trouble to fix the car. We drove at a slow speed to Chingola and reached Ipafu in the evening around 19.00 hours.

We all appreciated the friendliness, cooperation and commitment of the visitors. Above all we are very thankful for their, contributions and constructive input. We will be more than delighted to have the visitors from Jonathan Foundation come again given another opportunity. We promise with no doubt at all to implement what we have learnt from visitors and make use of all the materials and information to the full, for the benefit of our Vulnerable Group of people. Below are the objectives that were worked on;

1. OBJECTIVES

Proposed objectives for the new project phase:

1. The community is aware of the basic components of epilepsy at the end of the three- year project period

1. The community is free of stigma at the end of the three-year project period

1. Clients (in some cases families) are independent (self-sufficient) at the end of the three – year project period
2. ACTIVITIES
3. Activities related to first objective:

The volunteers who visit the identified clients and their families at their respective homes will be provided with:

• A bicycle each, including a small fund for repairs and spare parts
• Protective gear, in particular gumboots, a raincoat and an umbrella
• Capacity building through an annual refresher training and annually five one-day workshops
• Hand-outs (brochures) for the clients in vernacular (Chibemba)
• Posters (schools, shops, public places)
• Planning meetings (can be done in connection with the refresher training and workshops)
• Collaboration meetings (twice annually with all involved)

The members of staff who are involved in the project should be assisted with

• Transport funding (usage hospital/convent car) to visit selected clients
• Protective gear (see above)
• Capacity building (annually refresher course and three one-day workshops annually
• Collaboration meetings (twice annually with all involved)

The project coordinator, together with the staff will organize meetings with the leadership of the locally active churches to sensitize them on the project.

The youth should be supported like the above-mentioned volunteers (bicycles, protective gear, etc.). In addition, they should be supported for their drama activities:

• Costumes and accessories drama performance
• Drums (etc.)
• Capacity building in drama performance
• Room for Rehearsals

2. Activities related to second objective (Anti-stigma campaigns)

The activities for this objective go hand in hand with awareness campaign and in addition the following should be provided:

– Anti-stigma T-shirts

– Posters, brochures, hand-outs

– Workshop on fighting stigma (general)

3. Activities related to the third objective:

There are three groups identified, i.e. (1) clients with epilepsy, (2) clients with epilepsy and who are intellectually challenged, and (3) clients who are intellectually challenged but do not suffer from epilepsy. All three groups will be included in the project.

1. Epilepsy management

– Drugs (through the District, with a small fund to purchase in case the District runs out)

– Diary for patients to monitor seizures and adherence

– Funding for referrals (e.g. for further examination, for treatment failure, etc.)

– Client/patient friendly corner in the clinic

2. Management intellectually challenged

– Individual assessment clients

– Individual action plan (both done by specialist/consultant together with hospital staff – CO)

– Capacity building management Ipafu Rural Health Centre

– Basic equipment for assisting the clients/families of the clients in ensuring their livelihood

– Livelihood development for needy clients/their families

In addressing the need for change and the community integration of the Intellectually challenged, disabilities, it seems that we now have an opportunity to create humane, relevant, social and emotional environments that can replace rejection. The project aims to improve the welfare of the Clients in a holistic manner that does not deprive them of their association with family and the community.

1. CHALLENGES

1. Some children who have been integrated at Luankole Primary school find it very difficult to go to school because of the long distance from their homes.
2. There is less or no care for epileptic children by some parents and guardians
3. The distances covered during sensitization programmes by the youth group are very long coupled with bad roads, which makes it difficult for them to visit some communities regulary.

1. WAY FORWARD

1. To continue with sensitization meetings in the areas where children are coming from
2. To enhance home training activities especially in the new catchment area
3. To effectively implement the proposed activities, in order to meet the objectives

1. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Jonathan Foundation to finance the Project during for the next three-year phase
2. Further and strong networking should be encouraged especially with bigger partners

1. CONCLUSION

We have the confidence that our target group (the Persons with Epilepsy) will become useful citizens and contribute productively to their immediate families and the community at large through potential use of their acquired skills and knowledge. This too will eventually develop their personal independence, enhance levels of acceptance and unconditional integration into the family and community and improved self-esteem and concept.

YOUR HELP HELPS US!!!!!

May the Project in God’s favour begin the New Year 2019 on a very happy note.

Sister Florence Ngosa

Provincial Residence-Kitwe

A message from Sr Florence

EPILEPSY PROJECT ACTIVITIES (Phillip Phiri)

I was happy to learn that the report was well done and gave a good impression to Jonathan Foundation Members. I am aware that to be trustworthy with Donors is by giving good reports, accountability, good working relationship and proper use of resources.
The enhancement of home visits to Persons with disabilities is richly rewarding. The Volunteers have taken this activity with commitment and joy. Visiting the Patients’ homes is helping Volunteers to see the home situations of Patients and identify their real needs.
During my two weeks break, I visited a number of patients one of them being Phillip Phiri. I felt happy to reach out to Phillip Phiri’s home because of his immobility. You do not know the true joy until you see a Patient smile and laugh. My presence brought life to him and to the family members who were around including the Mother. No one is alone.
Phillip Phiri is a 17 year old intellectually and physically challenged boy. Born in a family of eight(8) two sisters and six brothers. Phillip has been using a wheelchair for the past 12 years now. He has never been to school unfortunately. He is a big boy now and the father has been taking care of him, bathing him, lifting him up onto the wheelchair. Unfortunately his wheelchair broke down two years ago and he has been crawling all this time in the dust and mud especially when going to the toilet and bathroom outside. I took time to look at his immediate needs and saw that he needed a replacement of his mobile wheel chair which has been damaged for this long period and the parents didn’t know where to go for help. There is a certain organization in Kitwe where such wheel chairs are made. I took them there to go and arrange for a new wheelchair, which has been made and was delivered to the boy. Phillip has a mild intellectual challenge. I realised that the family members can provide creative and occupational activities to him such as reading and watering plants at home. Therefore the family have embarked on such activities. It has given the parents something to smile about after learning that the needs of their 17 year old child would be attended to in such a manner.