Stream of Life International: What We Do

WHAT WE DO

WATER & SANITATION

FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

MEDICINES

HEALTH EDUCATION

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

According to the World Health Organization, over the last 30 years the world has seen an increasing gap in health inequalities between and within countries, between rich and poor, between men and women, and between different ethnic groups. More than one billion of the world’s poorest people are not benefiting from the major advances in health care.

To help combat these widening inequalities and meet the challenges faced in throughout the world, Streams of Life International has developed six program areas:

Clean Water and Sanitation
Medical Facilities Development
Medical Equipment/Supplies
Medicines, Vaccines, Supplements
Health Education and Nutrition
Vocational Training / Mentoring

WATER AND SANITATION

In Benshangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia the leading cause of death is Malaria. Rounding out the top ten most common diseases are respiratory tract infections, intestinal parasites, diarrhea, gastric problems, eye diseases, skin diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, malnutrition, and other water born diseases. Over 85% of these diseases are preventable with basic sanitation. However, in Benishangul-Gumuz, only 30% of the population has access to clean water, with most depending on rivers, unprotected springs and wells as their water source.

SOLI’s Solution
Streams of Life International recognizes that improving water supplies and sanitation is one of the most important aspects of improving the standard of living in Benishangul-Gumuz. Therefore, we are partnering with other organizations to dig water wells, provide water purification systems, build septic tanks, and distribute treated mosquito nets to over 1,000 villages throughout the region.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

Even though there are over 600,000 people living in Benishangul-Gumuz, there is only 1 zonal hospital and 1 district level hospital servicing the entire region, both of which are understaffed and poor condition. Over 52% of the population does not have physical access to either these institutions.

SOLI’s Solution
In order to improve access to medical care, Streams of Life International has developed a two-fold approach. The first step is to refurbish the existing district hospital, located in Assosa, by cleaning, painting, re-tiling, re-wiring, and other general repairs. In addition to the enhancement of current facilities, we are partnering with the Blair Foundation to build an additional hospital in the Kamashi Zone of Benishangul-Gumuz.

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Over 62% of the existing medical outposts, clinics and hospitals in Benishangul-Gumuz are ill-equipped and not in position to extend quality health services for their communities. Additionally, there is a severe shortage of health personnel, with only one doctor per 297,000 people and one nurse per 148,000 people.

SOLI’s Solution
Streams of Life International is allocating a significant portion of it's budget to delivering medical equipment to the existing hospital facilities in Benishangul-Gumuz. In 2006, SOLI teams delivered over $30,000 USD worth of medical supplies to the Assosa hospital and plans to deliver a 40-foot container carrying approximately $400,000 USD worth of medical supplies and equipment in 2007. These donations help to significantly alleviate the strain placed on the Assosa hospital, whose annual operating budget is estimated at $70,000 USD.

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MEDICINES, VACCINES AND SUPPLEMENTS

In 2004, only 23.5% of the population in Benishangul-Gumuz region had been immunized. Approximately 690 km from the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, and cut off by mountainous terrain, Benishangul-Gumuz has limited access to much needed medicines, supplies and medical care.

SOLI’s Solution
Streams of Life International has a broad distribution outlet through its partnership with the Blair Foundation. Twice a year, approximately 1,000 village leaders convene in Benishangul-Gumuz’s capital, Assosa, for a leadership training conference. Currently, SOLI is working with the Blair Foundation to distribute mosquito nets throughout the region and reduce the rate of malaria infection. Our mosquito net program is only the beginning, as we work to improve access to much needed medicines, immunizations, and supplements.

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HEALTH EDUCATION AND NUTRITION

Currently, the Assosa Hospital only staffs two doctors and one surgeon. The rest of the medical staff is comprised of recent college graduates with no experience and limited education, as compared to the Western World’s standards. Additionally, 82% of the region is illiterate, 50.4% of the population has health coverage and 30.1% have access to clean water. The lack of education and experience, in combination with the limited medical resources and sanitation practices results in a society crippled by high rates of preventable diseases and poor health care.

SOLI’s Solution
In an effort to reduce high disease rates and increase healthful living practices in both the medical and general community, Streams of Life International sends American doctors to Benishangul-Gumuz two times a year to provide medical seminars for the Assosa Hospital. In addition, we send area experts and health professionals to train approximately 1,000 villages leaders in health and nutrition fundamentals at a local leadership conference sponsored by the Blair Foundation.

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VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP

Throughout the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 82% of the general population is illiterate and uneducated. Additionally, the medical personnel living in the region often lack the proper education, experience, medical references needed to operate under high standards of medical practice. This deficit, in combination with the limited medical resources and improper sanitation practices results in a society crippled by high rates of preventable diseases and poor health care.

SOLI’s Solution
Streams of Life International's efforts in the Vocational Training and Mentorship program are to provide training to both the medical and general communities. We partner American doctors with the doctors working at the Assosa Hospital in Benishangul-Gumuz in a mentorship program that enables the Ethiopian doctor to expand his knowledge-base and skill set. In addition, we send area experts and health professionals to work with staff at the local hospital to provide training in vocational-specific skill sets, including construction, plumbing, equipment repair, electrical work, environment sanitation, and general maintenance.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Can you imagine working in a hospital with no electricity? The Assosa Hospital only received 24-hour electricity in the fall of 2006 and even still suffers from regular electrical blackouts. In addition to the basic problem of limited electricity, the hospital does not have access to even the most basic electronic equipment needed to operate in a medical facility.

SOLI’s Solution
It is our goal to bring in computer systems for both the Assosa and Kamashi Hospital, set-up an inter-office network, supply Internet access, and train the hospitals’ staff on how to use and maintain the systems. Having access to Internet resources and electronic medical references will vastly expand the educational access and health understanding of the medical community in Benishangul-Gumuz, thereby improving the quality of medical care for all.

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