Nocturnal Recruitment and The Zambia Army Collaborate via The Basics Project
Experience the power of partnership as Nocturnal Recruitment joins forces with the Zambia Army via The Basics Project to create a vital healthcare hub in Munchini Village. Together, we’re turning potential into action, leveraging the resources of the military base to address critical healthcare needs in the community.
At the heart of our collaboration lies a shared commitment to saving lives and fostering well-being. By utilizing land reserved for future development at the Shimabala Military Base, we’re initiating the construction of a rural health clinic. This facility will serve both military personnel and local residents, providing essential healthcare services while awaiting the establishment of a larger hospital.
The Story
The Basics Project has been working with the people of Munchini Village in Shimabala since 2022 supporting the youth in a football and a netball team run in conjunction with local community leaders.
In August 2023, we were saddened to receive news of the death of one of the youths in our football team who had been rushed to the local clinic after an emergency illness but there was difficulty in finding transport to take him to the nearest hospital a few kilometers away in Kafue. By the time transport was found and he was driven to Kafue Hospital, he was declared ‘Brought in Dead’. This was a death we believe could have been avoided had the correct health facilities and transportation been available within the village. This was devasting for the rest of his teammates, the family, and the community at large. As an organization working with the local people, this incident prompted us to investigate the health facilities within Munchini Village and we found that the nearest clinic is a few kilometers away at Hetty Denen School and the other one is a small ‘health post’ located at the front of the Shimabala Military Base which kindly caters to the locals even if meant for military personnel. This is where our youth was brought to. This facility is inadequate because patients must wait under a tree to be attended to in hot or wet weather and there is no shelter for privacy or medical examination. The nearest functioning health facility is a long driving distance away in Kafue Town which is unsustainable for a rural village with over 2,000 people who cannot afford transport or medication.
Recognizing the urgent need for a better health facility within the community, The Basics Project engaged with the Headman and Nocturnal Recruitment, a UK based recruitment firm that donated a water borehole for safe drinking water to the community in July 2023 and showed keen interest in continuing to support future projects. Nocturnal Recruitment agreed to partner on this project, however, finding available public land within the community proved to be a challenge. We engaged with the Shimabala Military Base to propose a collaboration to expand the small health post they operate and transform it into a rural health clinic capable of providing essential outpatient health services for the community, and the Zambia Army Headquarters under the leadership of the Commander agreed to our proposal.
The partnership and involvement of key stakeholders is testament to our principle of collective impact as an organization and we look forward to the completion of this project which will help save lives. Literally!
Improving Healthcare Together
The decision to embark on this project is rooted in our belief that every individual deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their circumstances. Despite challenges such as limited available community land within Shimabala, our determination remains unwavering. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Zambia Army and Nocturnal Recruitment.
Nocturnal Recruitment, a reputable recruitment firm located in London, UK, has been a steadfast supporter of projects in Shimabala. In partnership with The Basics Project and The Zambia Army, they are committed to help fund the construction of the health facility to serve military personnel and the community at large. This commitment reflects their dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility, recognizing the importance of giving back to communities, particularly in Africa because many of their workers in the UK are of African heritage.
As our vision becomes a reality, we hope for a future where health in rural areas in Zambia knows no boundaries. Join us on this transformative journey as we build a healthier, more resilient community together and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact this clinic will have on the lives of those it serves.
Project Vision
Our vision is to create a healthcare centre that aligns with HPCZ’s classification of ‘Class C’ facilities. These facilities play a crucial role in providing diagnostic services, disease prevention, and treatment, all while utilizing simple equipment and outsourcing complex laboratory services. The new clinic will feature essential services provided by Outpatients Clinics which include observation wards, rapid laboratory tests, and a pharmacy dispensary
Get involved
If you’d like to contribute to this vital project, whether through donations, volunteering, or fundraising, the time to act is now. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of Shimabala residents, providing them with the healthcare services they deserve.
Join us in our mission to bring quality healthcare closer to home. Stay tuned for updates on our progress as we work towards building a brighter, healthier future for Shimabala.
