Our initiative started with a conversation.
Where were our lives headed in this chaotic world? We were both heading into the medical field, we knew that much, but what else? At the end of the conversation, one question remained “What could we do to effect positive change in the world and leave it a little better than we found it? Do Good Health was born a few moments later, in the living room of our college apartment. Our mission? Establish accessible and sustainable healthcare in the medically underserved areas of Rwanda.
For every thousand Rwandans, only five have a car.
For everyone else, it could take days to reach the medication they need, and that is only for those well enough to travel. Consequently, healthcare in Rwanda is highly inaccessible, especially in the more rural areas. The Rwandan Ministry of Health has made leaps and bounds toward a better healthcare system, but they can’t do everything.
That is where we come in.
Our goal is to open health posts and/or health centers in a private-public partnership with the Ministry of Health. The underserved areas that will get a health post or centers is based on Do Good Health community health assessments, information provided by both the parent district hospital in that specific area, and the Rwandan Ministry of Health.
Sustainability is important to not only our mission, but to the advancement of these underserved communities.
Doing good for third-world countries can often be detrimental if you don’t involve as many aspects of a country’s infrastructure as you can. To ensure sustainability from the Ministry of Health level down to the patient that receives our care, we work hand in hand with natives, local leaders, district hospitals, King Faisal Hospital, our in country directors, the U.S. Embassy, and the Rwandan Ministry of Health.
One of the most important reasons sustainability is important to us regards Rwanda’s troubling past.
During the Rwandan genocide, seven people were killed every minute for a hundred days. Around one million Rwandans lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands more had their country torn apart. 25 years later, their scars remind them that life is delicate and precious. Despite their haunting past, the people of Rwanda wear a smile each and every day and breathe life into all that they do. These Rwandan’s are the reason that their country is developing into one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Our goal is to take their passion for their beloved country and couple it with Do Good Health resources to not only build health clinics, but to also contribute to the progression of rural infrastructure.
Imagine what you think a rural African community looks like.
Do you have an image in your head? If so, you’ve probably got it right. Most homes are made of mud or concrete and have no running water. Their windows are essentially square holes to allow for airflow, and their beds are made of wooden sticks and straw. These living conditions are not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. These are the families we aim to help by bringing healthcare closer.
