Bikes for community healthworkers in rural Malawi

Meet Binalison, a community health worker

A day in the life of a volunteer: https://youtu.be/3RBoUvUDRcQ

What can we do to help: https://youtu.be/LBgFs35t1fk

Who are we?

We are a group of UCSF/SFSU physical therapy students assisting in a yearly rehabilitation training program for community health workers at St. Gabriel's hospital in Namitete, Malawi.

Who/what are Community Health Workers?

Many rural Malawians lack access to health care because of challenges with transportation, communication, weather conditions, and financial resources. Community health workers are volunteers bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of people in the village. In the 30-mile radius surrounding St. Gabriel's Hospital, village chiefs appoint community health workers to care for patients and their caregivers. With ongoing training, they learn essential rehabilitation and health promotion skills for multiple conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, cerebral palsy, HIV, diabetes, and tuberculosis.

Without the care of community health workers, many people would be left without access to healthcare (receiving medication, referrals, therapy, etc.). These amazing volunteers are essential for the well-being of the Malawian people. Currently, the primary barrier to success, according to a survey by community health workers, is the lack of transportation. Many walk long distances to see their patients through heavy rain, heat, and poorly constructed roads. This takes time and often may prevent the workers from reaching at-risk individuals. Proper transportation, such as bicycles, would make their ability to provide care significantly more accessible and efficient.

It is said that Malawian people are the warm heart of Africa. They exude resilience, humility, community, generosity, and kindness while living in one of the poorest countries in the world. They are authentically heart-warming people. Community health workers desperately need additional tools to provide care and ensure that their people have access to healthcare. If you can donate even just a dollar, this will help tremendously in our effort to help acquire proper transportation for these most generous people.

Facts:

- St. Gabriel’s hospital serves a quarter of a million people in rural Malawi in the district of Lilongwe.

- Average yearly income is $600 usd. However, the majority of people in rural areas are sustenance farmers.

- Children are significantly affected by a widespread lack of early care

- Physical therapy service is lacking at the hospital; however, volunteer community health workers are trained in basic rehabilitation skills.

- 60 volunteers have answered their communities' call, providing care to patients spanning a 30-mile radius.

- During our survey this year, 95% of the workers said that the lack of transportation makes their work very difficult and leaves patients at times without assistance or a delayed response to care

The Goal:

20 bikes will be spread among the 60 volunteers to share. This would allow for an efficient transportation network to enable workers to reach patients in need.

Bikes cost about $125 usd. 20 bikes would cost about $2500 usd. This is our goal - any number of small or large - would significantly help.

Thank you so very much,

Chelsea, Kelsey, and Fernando