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Restoring Smiles - Changing Lives
A dental & development charity working towards a world free from dental pain
What we do » B2A @ Bukumbi
Our Work at Bukumbi
B2A are working alongside the community providing practical support at the same time as ensuring the community itself is developing. All the work undertaken at BCC is carried out in conjunction and with agreement from the local community. We know it will take time to see significant changes and we are grateful that we are accepted at BCC and have the privilege of working alongside this group of people.
The challenges are:
Institutionalisation
We have carried out a basic situational analysis to help us build a picture of the people who live at Bukumbi. We worked closely with the Regional Welfare Office to complete this and it has given us valuable information about the community. Further research has helped clarify the range of abilities and disabilities within the community and has enabled us to focus our work.
We have established local community committees for water, health, building maintenance and income generation/education., The intention is for these committees to meet regularly and discuss matters relating to the maintenance, services and activities carried out within BCC. Empowerment through participation in community and centre matters will contribute to BCC residents leading a more independent life. Being more self-sufficient will reduce their dependence on centre staff, family and friends, slowly increasing their acceptance into the wider community.
We are starting a programme of reintegration which will support people who are willing to move back into their home communities and become independent citizens.
Health
Bridge2Aid work together with the centre’s health committee by contributing administrative and financial support. This support includes overseeing the health and living conditions of the centre’s residents, such as monitoring the state of the resident’s mosquito nets and hygiene standards etc. Bridge2Aid facilitate committee meetings and contribute financially to buy any medication which is needed in addition to that available generally from the clinic.
The Clinical Officer at the centre has also been trained on one of our Dental volunteer programmes and now offers dental care to the people from the centre and surrounding village.
Bridge2Aid have been supporting the cancer treatment of Vumi – an Albino girl living at the centre. Her treatment has involved several trips to the specialist cancer hospital in Dar es Salaam which otherwise Vumi would not have had access to. In 2011, a Bridge2Aid volunteer team will renovate the centre’s dispensary and staff offices.
Water
As well as improving the internal systems in the accommodation blocks, we have also worked with other agencies and donors to fund a new water system.
Education
Our education programme has been running since 2007 which started by assessing the needs of the children in the community and supporting and encouraging the families in sending the children to school. It also involves working with the local school providing small- scale teacher training. We have also supported a number of students into secondary and vocational education through our sponsorship programme.
This year saw the introduction of a playgroup for the under 5s so that now the youngest children have a place to play together.
Income Generation
We have established an income generation programme including a craft, sewing, brick making and agricultural group. We have provided small loans which the majority of people and paid back and have provided training and support for each group and plan for other groups in the future. This means that the community can have their own small income which reduces their dependency on aid.
Infrastructure
B2A have also been providing some very practical help to BCC in terms of improving the environment. We have refurbished the toilet blocks and five of the six dormitories, the community building. A new outside kitchen has been built and we have renovated the children’s play ground. There are more renovations planned for 2011.
We carry out regular checks of the buildings and infrastructure and support with repairs. We also support with the cleaning for residents who are unable to do it themselves.
The hand water pump was fixed and the community are able to make an income from selling the water within BCC and also to the surrounding village.
Food
Bridge2Aid in partnership with one other donor delivers food to the residents every week to supplement the food provided by the Regional Welfare Office, this ensures that the community receive a balanced diet.
