People in the rural villages around our main base of work in Ngolowindo have had to walk 12.6 kms to the nearest free medical facility at Salima hospital and back, when they are unwell! 

Public transport for this journey is prohibitively expensive (1200 Kwacha – more than a day’s wages). 

Thanks to a substantial grant and other funding this has now changed as we have been able to construct The Hope Clinic in the grounds of the Glad Tidings Orphan Care Centre.  

This will enable any adults who need care, to be treated locally as the clinic is situated close to four villages where an estimated 13,000 people live.   

The new clinic is purpose built, providing suitably sized rooms for the medical staff to work in and much needed privacy for patients attending them.  It has consulting rooms, a pharmacy, large reception/waiting area and a staff office.

The Children’s Wing of Hope Clinic is the base for all the children’s medical clinics

 Memory (Below: photo), a little girl with hydrocephalus, attends the specialist clinic at Hope Clinic, and has recently received a new wheelchair provided by UK donors. 

The physiotherapy clinic has been particularly important, with children receiving physical supports to assist with disability and treatment from a qualified physiotherapist.

Clinic Ambulance

For many people living in the villages, getting to Hope Clinic or Salima hospital is not easy for them.  The combined cost of transport and medical fees is just too much for some families to pay and as a result many will go untreated, risking serious and sometimes fatal complications. 

The ambulance is vital in assisting patients referred from Hope Clinic to Salima hospital and to go out to patients unable to get to Hope Clinic. It also transports disabled children and their guardians to attend hospital for their appointments.  

Above: Our new Ambulance

A borehole has been supplied to provide a direct water supply by solar pump into a water tank allowing a good flow into the clinic and staff houses.

There are three staff houses for the clinicians and nurse, adjacent to the clinic. 

Currently the clinic is providing healthcare to between 3500 and 4000 attendees a month.

A maternity wing is now being built next to the clinic which will be of great benefit to the community.

At the official opening of the clinic in April 2022 the Deputy Government Health Minister described the partnership between Starfish and the Government as “unique” and they were very appreciative of how Starfish are working with them to bring healthcare services to the community.

The Opening of the Hope Clinic

We are so thankful to God that He has enabled this project to be completed.

Reports -

Hope Clinic - January 2024

Disability Fund Report - January 2024

Hope Clinic - July 2023

Hope Clinic - January 2023

Hope Clinic - July 2022

Hope Clinic - July 2021

Hope Clinic - January 2021