News & Events

Mothers and children waiting at the busy Ibambo Clinic.

Our fund-raising walks in Summer 2024 raised over £10,000 so we were able to fulfil our ambition to build a much needed 4-bed maternity unit adjacent to the clinic. The building of this was supervised by our good friend Mr Venance Gomegwa who has been helping FUM for nearly 30 years. The unit was opened in October 2025 by the District Commissioner.

Once again, there will be two sponsored walks in 2025, this time to raise money for a 4-bed maternity unit at Uhindi clinic in Kaliua District.

North Downs

On Saturday September 20th there will be a circular walk on the North Downs near Guildford. This will be 15 miles with a 10 mile alternative for those not wanting to walk the whole distance. We take the walk at a leisurely pace and have plenty of time for refreshment stops. If you would like to join this walk, which begins and ends at Guilford train station, please contact Isabel Heycock at iheycock@hotmail.co.uk

Devon

There will be a sponsored walk in Devon, on Saturday, 1st November, 2025. This is a little later in the year than usual, so we have shortened the walk to 10 miles to ensure that we are walking in daylight. Each year we walk a different route and have enjoyed a variety of terrain including coastal paths, various paths and old railway lines over Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall farmland, and we have followed local rivers, all on established old footpaths, bridle ways or disused railway lines. The scenery has been varied with glorious views over beautiful countryside, but unfortunately the weather has not always been favourable and we have experienced fog and driving rain as well as gloriously hot days which can be equally as challenging. The day is always interesting with a lovely friendly group of all ages taking part. If you would like to join us on our walk, please contact Julie Overnell for details at overnellj@gmail.com.

A large 100,000 litre tank was built for harvesting rainwater from the roof of the clinic. The tank collects and stores rainwater during the rainy season, December till early April, which is then available for use in the clinic during the dry season.

Initially the water in the tank had to be accessed by a nurse climbing onto the tank roof and using a jerry-can to partially fill a container. She then had to climb back down with the container, trying not to spill too much.

In 2024 FUM was able to supply a solar panel and solar pump which pumps the ground level tank water to a high level 5000 litre plastic tank. This not only makes life much easier and less precarious for the nurse but also greatly reduces the chance of unwanted dirt and foreign bodies falling into the big tank. Being solar powered there is zero running cost.

Our successful fundraising walks in summer/autumn 2023 raised most of the £11,000 needed to build a much needed 4-bed maternity unit adjacent to the clinic.

This means that most expectant mothers can now receive specialist help without needing to travel 20km to Urambo hospital. The unit was designed and its construction supervised by our good friend Mr Lucky Mgeni.

A specialist toilet block has been built for children in the SEND unit at Iyombo Primary School.  Facilities include access ramps for wheelchair users and support rails around the western style toilets. 
These features make them easier to use by children with mobility problems. We are grateful to our friend Mr Venance Gomegwa who designed and supervised the building of the toilet block.

The new block was recently officially opened by the District Education Officer (pictured below).

£35 a year to provide a young disadvantaged child with resources to help them attend school. Why not give the gift of care? Why not donate as a gift, in the name of a friend or family member. We will send them an email, letting them know that you have made a donation on their behalf.

This project has been borne out of a need to support children who don’t have the resources and uniform to attend their school setting in the Nzega District.  There are several young people from disadvantaged homes where the students themselves, or their parents have disabilities and struggle to find the money to support their children.  
 

Mambali’s increasing population put great pressure on the clinic’s maternity provision. A separate maternity unit was desperately needed.

Fortunately two very generous FUM members provided the £15,000 for building a 4-bed unit. They were supported by the village committee and the District Medical Officer. Once again Mr Gomegwa supervised the building work and the unit opened in September 2024.

In response to a special request at the beginning of the year, the College has produced 40 desks funded by FUM for Kiloleni Secondary School.

The SEND classroom was opened by the District Commissioner Mama Naitapwaki Lemeya and they had a bit of a party!

Here we see people enjoying the party and a new tribute sign to celebrate the opening of the building.