Opening of the Healthcare Clinic at Gulu
18 August 2010
On 25th June 2010, African Prisons Project celebrated the opening of the Healthcare Clinic at Gulu.
Gulu healthcare clinic
Director General Alexander Mclean, along with APP team members Victor and Bea Wildeman, APP staff, and volunteers from the US and UK, travelled the 5-hour journey to Gulu in Northern Uganda to join inmates and prison staff for the opening ceremony, which was also attended by representatives from the Red Cross and the Guest of Honour, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner. Other guests included members of the Hospice Africa team.
The level lll clinic is the first of its kind constructed by APP. After many months of hard work, including travelling the long distance on several occasions by trustees, volunteers and members of the APP team, the end result is an impressive-sized, bright, clean structure that will serve medical needs such as maternity care, outpatients, and HIV/AIDS testing and counselling for inmates, prison staff, their families and the local community.
To open the ceremony, speeches were given by Alexander Mclean, Victor Wildeman - who introduced the APP attendees, the Red Cross, the Gulu District Commissioner and other prison officials. These were followed by the presentation of gifts to recognise the hard work and give gratitude to the 15 inmates who had volunteered to work with the contractors in the construction of the clinic. Each of the inmates were named and individually presented with a gift of a basin, soap, sugar and a flask - all of which were supplied by APP.
Gulu clinic opening
The red ribbon was cut to signify the official opening and the guests were given a tour of the clinic. Following which we were treated to an impressive and entertaining display of traditional African dancing performed to drums and singing. A performance, we were later informed, that had been co-ordinated and rehearsed endlessly by the inmates. The females were wearing modest dance clothing, which they had made themselves especially for the occasion.
We all shared a meal together and finished the day spending quality time talking with the guests and inmates; some of the team spent a great deal of time playing with the children of the inmates and prison wardens. Spirits were high and there was a real sense of hope and appreciation.
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