News & Events

New water supply The FDC has long been troubled by poor access to clean water, being dependent on unreliable shallow wells and rainwater harvesting. But that has now changed radically, with help from the local water 'boss' Mr Benjamin Brighton.

Two developments were funded were funded by FUM:

• The FDC has now been connected to the improved town water supply. Water meters have been installed so that the FDC, the Principal's and staff houses are metered separately and each pays for its own usage.
• To help reduce the metered supply costs the existing but slightly dilapidated rainwater harvesting system is being refurbished and extended. This water is available free to all at the college.

Initiatives The College principal Mr Deo Luambano has needed to be resourceful in creating money-making projects to supplement the income received from government. Sikonge offers their main hall for seminars which brings an income of TShs 30,000 (£10) on each occasion.

The kindergarten, housed in a building partly funded by Cranbrook School in 2013, has become a big success, due in great part to the skill and enthusiasm of the teacher.

Each child gets breakfast when they arrive in the morning.

Other news
The college motor bike has been repaired, a great help when visiting villages during recruitment of students. This was successful, with ten students from poor families receiving support from FUM

The college small holding has been planted and it is hoped that the rains will be sufficient to give a good harvest.

Di Cooper
FDC Co-ordinator

The borehole pump was replaced and included 'dry running protection' (DRP) to prevent damage if the borehole water level drops too low.

This turned out to be very fortuitous because due to poor winter rains the 2017 dry season was the worst for 10 years. The water table fell dramatically, often below the submersed pump. Without DRP the pump would have been permanently damaged beyond repair.

For about two months water had to be rationed but good early rains in late October soon returned the water table to its normal level. The FDC Principal Mr Mwadua has reported that the maize and other crops are now growing very well and he is hopeful of a very good harvest.

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer

The FDC Administration Block was destroyed by a fire that started around 2 a.m. on 26 August 2017. An electrical fault is suspected but an official investigation is underway.

The principal Mr Luambano is suspended during the investigation and the college is in the capable hands of Acting Principal Mr Shilinde.

When FUM Treasurer Nick Vinall visited three weeks later he was impressed by the determination of the College Board and all the staff to maintain teaching and the curriculum, especially for students with important exams before Christmas. As a result FUM paid the student bursaries that had been suspended soon after the fire while we awaited more information.

Additional water resources were funded to replace those destroyed as a result of the fire.

In April/May 2017 three UK doctors from UCL spent their 'elective' at Urambo Hospital providing much needed extra support there, as well as gaining hugely themselves from the experience.

FUM organised their time in and transport from Dar es Salaam on arrival from UK. They stayed at nearby Urambo FDC, hosted by the long-standing housekeeper Mama Morro who is well used to overseas visitors such as FUM Officers Jo and Richard in November 2016.

Read Adam and Jane's reports of their 2017 Elective Placement

When FUM started supporting this clinic, as well as general outpatient services the clinic provides a good range of maternity services, also Immunisation and Child Health care. HIV programmes include Testing and Counselling and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Just two enrolled nurses provide these services, compared with the government recommended roll of 15 staff, so they are kept very busy. For outreach work they have support from two community health workers.

The clinic is 45 km north-east of Urambo town, with half the road tarmac the rest rough dirt. There is one mobile phone network.

Most of the local citizens are farmers and pastoralists who grow maize, rice, groundnuts, tobacco and keep cows and goats.

The single building contains rooms for consultations, antenatal and family planning with a separate room for maternal labour and deliveries. There is a pharmacy with vaccination fridge.

After a five hour drive from Urambo we found this large clinic to be in pretty good condition, with the government funded improvements nearing completion. There is a medical officer and two nurses though one was on leave. Solar panels provide power for lighting and, unusually, the vaccine fridge. The large entrance area gives an excellent waiting area and is also used for public health displays and talks.

There are three maternal delivery beds. The 4-year old German-made one has been problem free whereas the much newer but rather flimsy Chinese ones have already needed several repairs.

Water is still a big problem. The clinic has to pay for it to be brought from the top of a 100m high hill about 1 km away - bizarre ! With the help of an anonymous donor FUM is paying for the clinic's large roof area to harvest rainwater into a new 96,000 litres subterranean concrete tank. A solar pump will raise the water as needed into a 2000 litre plastic tank for filling containers. Villagers started the manual digging for the concrete tank early in 2018 with completion of the scheme expected by April.

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer

The clinic and nearby maternity unit were in good condition with a plentiful supply of water and adequate staffing. The Primary School, as elsewhere, suffered from poor maintenance and overlarge classes

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer

The government funds awarded mean the clinic is in good condition including the solar powered lighting. The staff houses nearby however are still in poor condition.

The big problem is water which the clinic has to buy. The closest reliable sources are nearly 2km away, namely Lake Sagara and a dangerous open well. FUM's water consultants, Mr Lucky and Mr Godfrey, together with the Kaliua district water engineer are working on an ambitious plan for a solar powered pumping system to supply water to the village and the clinic. The estimated cost of £15,000 will be shared equally between FUM and Kaliua district.

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer

The two shallow wells were refurbished by FUM in 2015 and 2016 and looked in good condition but both were dry for the first time in seven years. The clinic was still in good condition after being repainted by Cranbrook School students in 2015 and the ceiling repaired in 2016.

The head teacher at the primary school is interested in having a link with Bere Alston PS in Devon but communication is not easy.

The borehole water passed its safety tests at the government laboratory in Arusha, the well has been capped and is now 'live' with a hand pump. Villagers are delighted.

The girls' dormitory is now at capacity with 32 girls living there, enabling them to attend he secondary school.
Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer