Results 2009

Submitted by Nicky Deasy on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 15:52

HI guys
 
We are going through our 2009 figures at the moment, and the results look very impressive.  We spent €120,000 last year, and for this relatively modest amount of money, we achieved a huge amount - treating almost 30,000 patients, supporting over 1,000 children to go to school, and providing food production and micro business to 400 women and their families.  The €120,000 also covered all Irish overheads, including 3 part time staff, and covered the cost of our rebranding and the building of our website, along with a big stock of stationery.
 

  • We treated over 27,000 patients at our two health posts, and delivered some 200 babies, with no fatalaties.  Prior to our arrival, just 2% of births were supervised by a skilled medical attendant, while primary healthcare was largely unavailable in the district.
  • We provided education materials to 1,100 ultra poor children to allow them to go to school, and we funded the construction of two large classrooms at Thehe primary school.  Pupil numbers have doubled in the schools we support in one year as a result.  On average in the district, only 25% of children are enrolled in primary school. 
  • We started up our micro business and micro finance programme, which has about 400 women enrolled.  They successfully completed stage 1, which is small agri-business enterprises, like vegetable and poultry, and started stage 2 training on women's literacy and training on how to manage their own savings and credit groups.  Micro finance should start off early this year.  This programme has provided some 400 women with the chance to earn their own living and provide for their families.
  • We also trialled improved seed varieties and our maize crop showed a 60% increase in yield.  Where we work, 65% of children suffer from malnutrition, so improving food production is vital.
  • Back in Ireland, we hired three new part time staff members, and we did a complete rebranding of the organisation, with our new website, logos, brochures, sponsorship cards etc. 

So I hope you agree that with us, your money goes a long way.  We can do a lot with your funds because (i) our volunteers provide us with a huge range of services for free or very low cost, (ii) our model in Nepal which is very sustainable and ultra low cost, and (iii) I take no salary or wages.  Our programmes are going really well, so my next blog will be more details on that!  Hope everyone is keeping well out there!  Baby Donagh is in great form and is getting chubbier and cuter by the day!  Lots of love, Nicky XXX