I have read about Kigutu, spoken with others who have visited here, and seen photos, but nothing really prepared me for the extraordinary place which has been created by the community here. The natural beauty is astounding with a top notch view of Lake Tanganyika from the Kigutu plateau with a backdrop of partially forested high hills. As the sun set tonight it was a bit remindful of Big Sur, California. It is hard to imagine that in 2006 that it was just scrubby, war torn land and that in just three years the vision for social justice and health care for this community is steadily unfolding into a reality.
Upon our arrival, Dziwe Ntabe MD, who was last here in April, hooted and hollered with heartfelt emotion when he saw the construction-in-progress of the community training center, the cleared land for the soon-to-begin Women’s Health Pavilion, and the pristine ablutions block for the patients.
Walking around with Honore, Deo’s brother, this afternoon was very moving, knowing how much suffering these people have overcome to create a utopia and produce a new life for themselves. The care, love and pride which have gone into the construction of the buildings, the stone walkways, and the flower gardens are very apparent. The farm site with a huge area of growing crops, beehives, enclosures for goats and chickens and nursery seedlings was the absolute icing on the cake. The food grown here helps supply food for the staff, volunteers and the new pediatric nutrition center. Mindboggling!
It is wonderful to hear the cheers and activity surrounding a local soccer game on the new school’s field. Honore explained as we walked that the recently repatriated people from Tanzania have been asked to play with the locals as a way to integrate into the community. Children play at the sidelines, girls giggle and mothers chat with babies swaddled on their backs; an “ordinary” Sunday afternoon for many “ordinary” communities, but this is not true here. It is an extraordinary place, with extraordinary people working together in extraordinary ways.
I am privileged to be here amongst them and to help as much as possible. On the VHW website, there is a quote from a patient who sums it up perfectly, “This used to be Hell, but now it is Heaven.”
Helen Weld, RN, MPH
Staff and volunteer residence in Kigutu
Honore with solar panels
Gardens at Kigutu
Garden nursery
Helen with goat kid
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