After Friends of the Congo was founded in April of 2018, it was decided that a maternity clinic would be built in the town of Yassa. Father Jean spent much of his childhood in this town and he explained that there was a substantial need for proper maternal medical care. 

​In November of 2018, a multi-step plan was proposed and a GoFundMe page was established for the Maternity Clinic. Overwhelming support for the initiative was met with substantial donations and construction began shortly after.

In July 2019, the Maternity Clinic was complete and dedicated. This building was equipped with medical beds, delivery tables, a toilet, bathtub, and sink to prepare for eventual running water. Solar panels on the clinic provided electric lighting for the building--the first electric lights in Yassa ever. 

​In September 2019, a campaign to raise funds for a well was initiated. The well is needed to support the Maternity clinic as well as provide clean drinking water to the surrounding community. Proposals from two different well drilling contractors determined that a well depth of 200 meters would be required.

​The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created a major obstacle to fundraising efforts. However, sufficient funds for the well were collected by October 2020. Well drilling was halted at a depth of 173 meters due to a failure of the drilling equipment. We are awaiting the procurement of new equipment for completion of this final phase of the Maternity Clinic construction. 

Before vs. After

The previous building was constructed of sticks, sheet metal, and mud.

The new building is a modern styled construction with access to electricity, running water, and various amenities.

The previous beds were made of local foliage and natural supplies.

Modern, comfortable beds

The room conditions were dark due to no windows or lights

The new building comes equipped with adequate lighting and plenty of windows for natural light.

The previous delivery tables were composed of wood.

The new delivery tables are composed of metal with comfortable padding.

Maternity Clinic Before & After Video

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Well Project