March 2015, Chronicle
25th Annual Spring Conference
On Saturday, April 27, 1991, the first “spring conference” of CAHO took place with 16 people in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Following a day and evening of discussion, fellowship, and field updates, the vision was outlined for a new organization to be called the Central Africa Health Care Organization (CAHCO at the time). This first group meeting subsequently grew into the annual spring conference which is an integral part of CAHO. On April 24 and 25, 2015, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the CAHO Spring Conference, and hope to see ALL of you there! Anyone with an interest or experience in cross-cultural ministry is encouraged to attend and experience this special opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. If you have never been to a Spring Conference, consider coming this year. As we have said in the past, there are no strangers at CAHO—just friends we have not yet met!
The focus this year will be on cross-cultural partnerships, and there will be an opportunity to hear updates from Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Haiti, and the Middle East, as well as to participate in discussions of practical measures to improve what each of us do as individuals and organizations. The benefits that come from this short time together result from the presence and contributions of each individual that attends—we need YOU!
Conference Registration & Meals
The conference will take place in the chapel of the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church, and begin Friday evening, April 24, at 7 p.m., and conclude Saturday evening at 9 p.m. A more detailed program will be available in early April.
There is no registration fee, but there is a $28 charge for meals, which can be paid on site (cash or check). We encourage everyone to register in order to plan for facility needs for the day. To register, please contact Ruth Rupert by phone (517) 750-9410 or email ([email protected]). If you will be participating in conference meals (Saturday lunch and/or dinner), please let Ruth know by Wednesday, April 15 to have an accurate count for the caterer.
If you require childcare, please let Ruth know also by Wednesday, April 15 so arrangements can be made.
Housing
A block of rooms at discounted rates ($109 per night) has been reserved at the Jackson Hampton Inn, 2225 Shirley Drive, Jackson (Exit 138 off of I-94). If you want to reserve a room, you will need to call the Hampton Inn (517) 789-5151 no later that Monday, March 23. You will need to mention that you are a part of the CAHO group to get the discounted rate.
If you prefer to make your own arrangements, other lodging (without rate discount) is available at Country Inn & Suites, 3506 O’Neill Drive, Jackson (800) 456-4000; or Holiday Inn, 2696 Bob McClain Drive, Jackson (517) 789-9600. Both of these facilities are located at Exit 137 off of I-94.
NUNDU HOSPITAL, CONGO
From Norm Wetterau and Tim Kratzer:
Nundu Deaconess Hospital continues to function, providing inpatient care, surgery and outpatient care to thousands of people, especially woman and children. The hospital has a capacity of 120 beds and is staffed by four national doctors. The Nundu Nursing School (Institute Technique Medical), opened in 1988 with ten students when missionaries were present, has expanded and trains a stream of nurses who provide care in the hospital and clinics. The school of nursing has grown so that now there are 100 nursing students in the first-year class. Thanks to the generosity of donors the hospital now has a new x-ray machine. Other gifts have allowed for supplements to staff salaries and purchase of medications for patients.
Political and civil unrest continue in the Congo, with significant ongoing social and economic impact on the area served by Deaconess Hospital of Nundu. Financial realities have made it difficult to maintain the present infrastructure and hospital buildings, including the prefabricated buildings erected some thirty years ago. These “prefabs” are perceived to be temporary because of significant deterioration which has occurred in the tropical climate of Central Africa. For this reason, a new pediatric building is under construction. The current pediatric ward is one room in one of the prefabricated buildings. The new pediatric building will increase the number of pediatric beds and will provide for expansion of both inpatient and outpatient services. As of the end of February, 2015, fund raising for the building has been completed thanks to some very generous donors, including the Butterfield Memorial Foundation. We look forward to the completion of the building by the end of the year. Thank you for your part in providing much improved care for the children served by Deaconess Hospital of Nundu!
If you were not able to participate in the pediatric project, don’t be disappointed. There is still plenty of work to do! As hard as it might be to believe, the hospital is still providing all of its services without a reliable water supply and no regular electricity. However, there is potential for a hydroelectric plant near Nundu as there is a year-round flowing river nearby to power a Pelton Wheel Turbine already in place. We have signed agreements from local officials to use this water supply, and all that is needed is funding of $136,000.00 to install and provide power to the hospital. This sum includes the building of a dam, power house, 1500 ft. of penstock pipe, valves for control of flow, 4500 ft. electric cable (power house to hospital), 4500 ft. of 2 in. water pipe (power house to hospital), ultra violet in-line treatment lamp, voltage/frequency controller, and other related equipment.
The hydroelectric system will provide 24/7 electric power to the hospital, which in turn, will make possible regular electrical power for surgical equipment, autoclaves, lights in buildings, X-ray and ultrasound services, and power for the laboratory. An added benefit will be a clean, 24/7 ultra-violet treated water supply for the hospital staff and patients. The school of nursing will also benefit from electricity for lights and computers. A thirty thousand dollar matching gift has been made available. If we can raise an additional thirty thousand dollars, these funds will allow completion of the initial phases of the powerhouse and dam.
The hospital administration welcomes volunteers and visitors. Alice and Randy Matthewson returned to Central Africa in September, 2014 for a period of 6 months, and will be joined by other volunteers in January and February. Randy will oversee the completion of a new pediatrics ward in December and will at Nundu for a period of two months. Dr Jerry Rusher will be helping the doctors with surgeries, obstetrical care as well as general care of adults and children. Lilly Ann is a nurse and will be assisting in the hospital. The national physicians have asked for some extra training in surgery, so the Rusher’s work will provide much needed support for staff morale.
Please pray about these needs, and share with others not only the needs, but also the successes. This hospital has gone through a terrible war and yet continued to function due to God’s grace and dedicated national staff. There are 40 outpatient clinics run by nurses that are part of the program. It is like the story of the loaves and fishes: the little that was given was multiplied by God. Current priority projects after completion of the new Pediatric building are completion of the matching grant for the next phases of the hydroelectric installation, and contributions to the revolving medication fund for patient care.
Donations can be sent to CAHO with a note designating the Congo project desired.
A good contingent of the Congo supporters (known as Champions for Congo) will be at the CAHO Conference in April, so make sure to come for the most recent updates as well as to explore opportunities for further involvement. You will not be disappointed!
For any interim questions that cannot wait until then, feel free to contact Dr. Tim Kratzer(member of the CAHO Board of Directors and Champions for Congo) at [email protected]
KIBOGORA HOSPITAL, RWANDA
Kibogora Hospital continues to thrive and is busier than ever, with increasing numbers of both short and long-term volunteers coming to “the hill”. This is truly an international community, with persons from the UK, US, Canada, Germany, and Congo, working alongside Rwandan staff members. The place currently with the most change on campus is the new Jeff Crandall Pediatric Building, which is progressing rapidly towards completion.
The internal finishing is being completed, with suspended ceilings now installed in the wards and only the main corridor is to be finished. All the floors are tiled and a first coat of paint has been put on the walls. The kitchen cabinets are being constructed and will be installed very soon. The space available compared to the old building is fantastic and should enable the children to be treated much more successfully, as well as provide the staff much improved working conditions. Upgrade training of the pediatric staff is now progress in anticipation of the eagerly awaited move of the children from their temporary quarters in a small adult ward where they have been housed over the past 8 months.
The building will soon be ready for partial use, however, final completion and equipping of the facility will depend on raising the additional funds that are needed. We are grateful to the many among you who have already contributed, as well as to the Butterfield Memorial Foundation for a grant made in February towards this goal. There is still opportunity for others to make an investment in the care of children at Kibogora. Don’t miss out!
Raised as of March 1, 2015: $178,401
Goal: $254,000
DESSALINES CLAIRE HEUREUSE HOSPITAL, HAITI
Over the past year, many changes have been taking place at Claire Heureuse Hospital, with major construction and remodeling of the physical plant coming to completion, thanks to significant on site supervision and support by Ian and Alice VanNorman, and Burt and Sandy McDonnell. On March 11, Canadian and U.S. supporters and volunteers will be gathering with Haitian leadership for dedication of the new facilties. These include a brand new maternity ward, labour and delivery rooms, two full service operating rooms, emergency and x-ray rooms, conference rooms, and medical a renovated pharmacy/depot. The ongoing prayer is that l’Hopital Claire Heureuse will continue with these new facilities to be light in a dark world, bringing forth Christ’s message of reconciliation through the gospel, along with healing and education for the communities served.
Further updates can be found at the website of the Haiti Healthcare Advocates (HHA), a CAHO partner.
http://www.haitihealthcareadvocates.com/
KIBUYE HOPE HOSPITAL, BURUNDI
CAHO continues to partner with the Friends of Hope Africa University and Free Methodist World Missions in Burundi. These are exciting times, as well as times of transition there. Drs. Joel and Janette Miller and their family will be moving from Bujumbura to Kibuye in April to provide coverage for Drs. Eric and Rachel McLaughlin during their home assignment. They will be continuing their work with medical students from Hope Africa University, as well as providing medical care. As the designated teaching hospital for Hope Africa University, many upgrades are in progress, and more information can be found on the hospital and related websites at:
http://kibuyehope.com/
ECFA ACCREDIDATION
As a an objective statement of CAHO’s commitment to donors and national partners, the Board of Directors made the decision some time ago to seek accreditation by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). After an extended application process over the past year, we received notification of CAHO accreditation by ECFA in November. Many of you are already familiar with ECFA, but for those who are not, it was founded in 1979 to help enhance the trust of Christ-centered organizations. ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising. CAHO is pleased to be able to display the ECFA seal as visible evidence of our commitment to follow a model of biblical accountability, above and beyond our commitment as a 501 (c) 3 registered organization.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU IN APRIL! WATCH THE WEBSITE www.gocaho.org FOR UPDATES.
CAHO is an ECFA-accredited 501 (c)3 organization working to enable affiliated hospitals in Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, and Haiti, to provide quality health care in the name of Christ, to all who have need, regardless of the ability to pay.