THE ROTARY JAIPUR LIMB PROJECT
(Registered U.K. Charity number : 1037735)
R. I. World Community Service
SPECIAL APPEAL
re Orthopaedic Centre, Blantyre. Malawi.
Malawi, formerly Nyasaland, a British Protectorate, gained its independence in 1964. It is marginally smaller than England and has a population of 10.5 million people. Life expectancy is just 37 years and the GNP per head of population is just $170.00 per annum. It is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The only Orthopaedic centre and Limb-making workshop in the country is at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre. Since January 2001 we have been discussing the establishment of a second centre at Mzuzu in northern Malawi.
In 1997 the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project Trust, through the Blantyre Rotary Club, provided the Orthopaedic Centre at QECH with Jaipur Limb making equipment and sufficient materials for 600 limbs, we also trained twelve Orthopaedic technicians in the Jaipur Limb technique.
In 2001 we provided a further consignments of materials.
In September 2001 the entire Orthopaedic centre was burned to the ground. The cause has been identified as an Electrical fault. All equipment was destroyed.
Fortunately, the recent consignment of materials was stored off the premises.
Neither the building or the equipment was insured nor has the Government any funds available for rebuilding.
The Norwegian Government have offered to finance new equipment - but not until the building is finished.
The cost of rebuilding the centre, including some upgrading, is estimated at six million Malawi Kwacha, (approximately £60,000.00).
Within Malawi, the rebuilding committee, which includes members of the Blantyre Rotary Club, have raised approximately £2,700.00. They have received pledges from local companies to provide the roofing (£3,000.00), the glazing (£2,000.00) and the painting (£2,500.00). They are organising a cross-country sponsored run which is expected to raise a further £1,000.00. Together, these local contributions total £11,200.00.
We, the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project, urgently need your help to raise our target of £40,000.00 so that work can commence on rebuilding this desperately needed centre as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, because it involves building, matching grants are not available from the Rotary Foundation.
Because the need is so great, and as an encouragement to clubs, the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project will match, pound for pound, all donations made to the rebuilding fund up to our target.
Please consider making a donation to this urgent appeal. Cheques, payable to The Rotary Jaipur Limb Project, should be sent to Hon Treasurer: PDG David Seed, 130 Estcourt Road, Gloucester, GL1 3 LH. (01452 524724)
PDG Don Short. (01489 782666) Trustee and Management Committee Chairman. February 2002.