JAH KENTE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
3807 New Hampshire avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20011.
Tel: 2020829-5922. Fax: 202.829-9298
April 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
Jah Kente International, a non-profit organization established in 1998, is focused on increasing cultural awareness and improving the lives of the people of Africa. This letter is written to solicit your support for the following project:
Vision
Access for all men, women and children to quality health information, medical care and basic hospital services in the community of Koungodjan, Mali and surrounding villages.
Koungodjan
Located 40km southeast of Bamako, the 5,000 inhabitants of Koungodjan, and the 45,000 inhabitants of the seven neighboring villages, lack access to basic medical services and health information. The closest medical services are in Bamako, 1 ½ hours away traveling over dirt roads. The health problems experienced by the people of these villages are largely preventable. With proper access to information about maternal child care, nutrition, and hygiene, as well as regular visits from medical technicians, the health of these peoples would be improved dramatically. Even if medicines can be obtained from Bamako, there is often no trained medical technician available to administer the medication. The result is unnecessary death and disabilities.
Project Goals:
Phase I - To provide immediate, albeit limited, access to medical services and information.
Phase II - To build a 10-room clinic, providing space for consultations, medical exams and treatments, and outpatient recovery from surgeries performed at the hospital in Bamako.
Phase III - To form partnerships with the Mali Ministry of Health, international organizations and non-governmental organizations for medical education and dissemination of information regarding diseases most prevalent in West Africa.
Phase I
In July 2004, Lassine Doumbia founded the Sibiry Doumbia Community Memorial Health Center for the village of Koungodjan in Mali, West Africa in honor of his father who died in 2004 at the age of 90. The senior Doumbia died of complications from a broken hip. Medicines were purchased in Bamako, yet it was 5 days later before a medical technician could visit the village to administer the medical. Mr. Doumbia died prior to the doctor’s arrival. With the belief that all men, women and children should have ready access to medical care in their community, the center was born.
In August 2004, two nurses were hired. They provide such services as consultations, medical exams, assisting births, immunizations, general medical guidance, and distribution of medications. Today, six months after the doors first opened, the center is one of the most respected of the health care providers in the 8-village community. A reputation for its use in the latest technology and skilled compassionate staff reflects the center’s commitment to excellence.
While medical supplies are still being provided for this clinic, additional support is needed. In Annex I, you will find a list of the supplies and administrative costs necessary to continue this clinic’s ability to provide vital services to the community. While we welcome the donation of the supplies themselves, it is more cost effective to procure these supplies locally. Therefore, dollar contributions would most favorable.
Phase II
This small privately funded clinic is committed to excellence and innovation. However, at the present time, the capability of the medical technicians to provide such levels of service are hampered by limited infrastructure and supplies. The clinic is housed in a 2-room building, both used for medical examinations or patient care. There is no waiting area; it is outside the building. There is no restroom. Presently, there are 2 beds, 1 examination table, 1 blood pressure testing kit, 1 stethoscope, 2 thermometers, 2 bedpans, and 1 cupboard for medicines.
Our goal is to build a clinic which will better meet the needs of this community. In 2004, the village provided Mr. Lassine Doumbia with 1 hectare in land for this purpose. The plan is to build a 10-room clinic, offering 2 examination/treatment rooms, a waiting room, a small pharmacy, a small laboratory, a supply room, 2 medical staff offices, and 2 restrooms.
In Annex II, you will find a list of the infrastructure and construction materials needed to accomplish this goal. If you wish to provide any of the above items as a donation, we would be most grateful. Again, many of these items can be obtained at a lower cost through local procurements. Therefore, money donations would be preferable. With either option, we will provide all necessary documentation and certifications of the charitable nature of your donation.
Phase III
The need to educate the community on reproductive health, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDs, hygiene and nutrition is why Jah Kente International is pleased to be a partner and full sponsor of such a wonderful initiative. Once the clinic is fully established and staffed, the medical technicians can work with the Ministry of Health and other organizations to become more involved in developing educators among the community who can further inform the village inhabitants on preventive care by traveling to the villages. Particular focus will be on (a) health of the reproduction and fight against the sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS; and (b) healthy hygiene and nutrition.
Funding
It is the wish of Jah Kente International, Inc. to support the Sibiry Doumbia Community Memorial Health Center in providing respectful, accessible family-centered care and advocacy for adults and all children from pre-pregnancy to birth and adolescence. For the remainder of 2005-2006, approximately $21,000 is required for ongoing operational funding (see Annex I) and $39,855 for Phase II of the project (details in Annex II).
Jah Kente International is committed to provide the Sibiry Doumbia Memorial Health Center with a projected 2005/2006 expenditure that can be a reality only with your help. We ask that you please find a way, in your program, to assist with funding this vitally important clinic.
The Sibiry Doumbia Community Memorial Health Center looks forward to hearing from you at you earliest convenience. For information on how to help in this continuing project, you may contact:
Mr. Lassine Doumbia,
Director, Sibiry Doumbia Community Memorial Health Center
7828 Heritage Drive
Annandale, Virginia 22003
Koungodjan 
