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Old dispensary buillding

Old dispensary buillding

Inadequate old building that was in need of replacement in 2004. The Rabondo Community Project-USA, a 501(c)3 organization (RCPUSA), solicited funds from the MAO to construct a new clinic building.

Construction began in 2005

Construction began in 2005

Walls went up

Walls went up

Construction continued

Construction continued

Supports for work bench

Supports for work bench

Front porch partially completed

Front porch partially completed

Partially completed building 2009

Partially completed building 2009

The Rabondo Community Project USA president Timon Bondo showing MAO members the building which remained unfinished in 2009. RCPUSA was unable to provide an accurate accounting for how the appropriated funds, which should have been sufficient, were spent and why the building remained unfinished.

Erosion of hillside into clinic rear

Erosion of hillside into clinic rear

Interior view of encroaching hill

Interior view of encroaching hill

Exterior view of building 2009

Exterior view of building 2009

Community meeting 2010

Community meeting 2010

Newly elected Rabondo Dispensary Committee assumes control of clinic building. Community is challenged by MAO to excavate rear patio and build a retaining wall.

Excavation begun in 2010

Excavation begun in 2010

Community without financial support from MAO excavated the hillside.

Retaining wall in 2011

Retaining wall in 2011

Community built the retaining wall

Retaining wall improved in 2012

Retaining wall improved in 2012

Community increased the height of the retaining wall to better prevent erosion.

Construction completed in 2013

Construction completed in 2013

After community efforts to stabilize the hillside were successful, MAO funded the completion of the building with a different contractor. The Rabondo Dispensary Committee provided a receipt for every expense so that the distribution of all funds were properly documented.

Clinic revanda

Clinic revanda

Revanda serves as a waiting room

Consultation/examination room

Consultation/examination room

Laboratory

Laboratory

Work bench with sink

Work bench with sink

Delivery room

Delivery room

New gate with fence 2015

New gate with fence 2015

Funds from Migori County government fenced the property and built the security gate.

Dedication to Donald R Burns 2015

Dedication to Donald R Burns 2015

A donation from the Burns family paid for a major portion of the construction

Maternity wing

Maternity wing

Maternity wing is dedicated to honor the memory of Ross Tappan.

Rainwater catchment

Rainwater catchment

Currently the clinic depends on a rainwater catchment tank for water. This is not sufficient to provide the running water needed by the clinic. The deep well on the grounds of the adjacent St Timon's Secondary School is controlled by Timon Bondo and the RCPUSA. They refuse to allow water to be pumped to the clinic.

Water tank on the hillside

Water tank on the hillside

Tank on hillside is will gravity feed running water to the clinic. Funds are being raised to drill a deep well on the clinic grounds which will provide running water to the clinic and clean drinking water for the surrounding homes.

The Story of the Donald R. Burns Clinic

The building of this clinic has been a long and tortuous journey. The people of Rabondo showed their commitment through their sweat equity. MAO Kenya dealt with financial mismanagement by the first contractor, persisted through difficult negotiations and finally severed a working relationship with an untrustworthy organization before moving forward to fund the completion of the structure. Developing an ample and reliable source for the provision running water remains a problem. Rainwater catchment is a stop-gap measure. Funds are being raised to drill a deep well. Collaboration with the Migori County government is in progress so that money for staff housing and a hospital grade incinerator can be appropriated.

 

Development work is often beset with serious roadblocks. Patience, determination, and a sense of humor are necessary for the ultimate success of any endeavor.

 

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