AfricaPress-Tanzania: GUSE villagers can, at last, smile, after they completed the construction of a dispensary using their own resources.
The villagers from Bashneti Ward in Manyara region took the initiative after enduring a lot of sufferings as they were forced to travel long distances to seek for medical services.
TPB Bank in the area supported the effort. One of the villagers, Maria Albini, said they walk for 10 kilometers to access medical services, with pregnant women and children being affected most.
“Completion of the dispensary will relieve us of the trouble we have been enduring for years and reduce the number of deaths of mothers and babies. We will now be able to attend clinic near our homes,” said Ms Albini.
Mr Petro Silas, one of the residents, said they resolved to construct the building after every household was required to donate 10,000/- on the first phase, while in the second phase they were required to contribute 40,000/- each, while using available human resources in the construction exercise.
He said the cost of the building is estimated at 20m/-.
“We have constructed this dispensary by using our own resources up to this stage. We are thankful that TPB Bank came up to support us directly. We still have to construct other houses for service providers,” said Mr Silas.
Speaking during a handing over ceremony, TPB Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sabasaba Moshingi, said the bank has supplied the village with iron sheets, timber and nails worth 8m/-, saying it was part of their corporate social responsibility.
“In our operations every year, the bank sets aside part of its profit for different causes, such as education and health services for different communities. We ask the public to join hands with us and give back to the people,” said Mr Moshingi.
Babati District Administrative Secretary, Mr Halfani Matipula, hailed the villagers and TPB Bank, saying the dispensary will reduce deaths and provide quality and timely services to the villagers, especially pregnant women and babies.
