Health Center for Old Fangak - Update

Two members of the Alaska Sundan Medical Project have returned to Anchorage from a two week fact finding mission. They traveled to Old Fangak, Sudan via Kenya. Their goal was to find suppliers for building materials, arrange for the material and equipment transportation and answer as many questions about logistics well ahead of the November 2008 construction period. They report that the construction materials are all available in Kenya or Sudan and that our project goal of $500,000 will be needed to complete the health center and dig the water wells.

The health center as pictured above will replace the building currently being used. Built by the British during colonial times, the current building used as a health center is falling apart and in 2009 will be re-claimed by the South Sudanese government.

In addition to the new health center, the team will dig new water wells for the clinic and the village and build a latrine system. Local residents will be taught how to use the drilling equipment so that they can continue to dig new water wells.

Old Fangak is not on the road system, so all construction supplies and equipment will have to be trucked, flown and then barged to the village. Once materials arrive, the team of Alaskans will work with locals to construct the clinic, water wells and latrines. The goal is to complete the construction in a three week period finishing before Christmas 2008.