Zambia
Where it all began
Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward
The first project undertaken by the KAI Foundation was the construction of a maternity ward in a Zambian village just outside of a National Park. Construction started in November 2015, and it bears Claire’s name.
Location
Mugarameno, Zambia (just outside Lower Zambezi NP)
Established
December 12, 2016
How It Came To Be
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During a family trip to Zambia in March 2015, Henry, Claire & David Kartagener visited the village of Mugarameno. While walking through the village and interacting with the local people, they came upon a small, dark building with dozens of people waiting outside. This building was the clinic for the residents of Mugarameno and the surrounding villages. There was no running water, no electricity, and the facility was used to treat people with any ailment or illness - malaria, HIV, post-natal care, etc.
It was then and there that the Kartageners decided to make the construction of a maternity ward the first project of the newly formed KAI Foundation.
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Fundraising began immediately upon their return to the USA and thanks to the contributions of private donors, industry partners, family & friends, construction of the maternity ward commenced in October 2015.
This project required far more than simply erecting a building. We had to install solar panels to provide 24/7 electricity to the maternity ward, dig wells to ensure the medical staff had access to clean water, source materials & supplies, and much more.
Through the continued generosity of donors & contributions from KAI and with the incredible support of our Zambia-based partners, construction moved along nicely and the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward opened on December 9, 2016. Henry attended the grand opening - a ribbon cutting ceremony far greater than we could have ever imagined. There were nearly 500 people in attendance, including politicians and dignitaries, for a celebration full of dancing, laughter, and hope.
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A major principle of the KAI Foundation is to remain committed to our initiatives for the years and decades that follow the grand opening of a project. The KAI Foundation continues to fund the maternity ward, ensuring that it has the best equipment possible to ensure the prospective mothers are well taken care of.
Since the opening of the maternity ward, the Foundation has also built a residence next door which houses some of the medical staff that services our maternity ward and another clinic that was subsequently built in Mugarameno.
Additionally, we are installing recreational facilities in an effort to continue to look after the children that are born at the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward.
The one room clinic before KAI Foundation
Laying foundation - Feb 2016
Final touches - hanging the sign
Opening Day - 10Dec 2016
Henry cutting the ribbon
Claire, Henry & Dave with nurse Rosemry
Where We’re At
Maternity Ward
Within three days of the maternity ward opening, we had our first arrival. The healthy little girl is named - you guessed it, Claire! Just a few days later another woman gave birth, this time to a boy - his name, Henry!
Our dedicated nursing team delivers a baby at a rate of once every eight days. The women travel up to 10 km (often by foot) to reach our maternity ward to deliver in a sterile and safe environment. All mothers go home with a care package for their newborn and we donate clothes, blankets, and other items to ensure that the family is well looked after.
The Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward has been recognized as the top-rated pre/post-natal care facility outside of the capital, Lusaka!
Community
In addition to the maternity ward, we have constructed a residence to house our medical staff. The construction of this dormitory was in cooperation with our local partners and the Zambian government, who graciously agreed to pay the wages if we built housing.
Our maternity ward was the first clinic outside of Lusaka, the capital city, approved to administer the Covid vaccine. Our nursing staff gave hundreds of jabs, protecting the community.
The KAI Foundation is also building a recreation center for the community with football goals (soccer for you ‘Mericans), netball posts and other equipment for the children of the community to use.
Head Nurse Charles w some of the mothers
Doctor's Residence, built by KAI Foundation
During the pandemic our facility gave Covid vaccines
We visit with supplies often
Top-rated facility of its kind outside of Lusaka
Dave with the kids of Mugarameno
Make a difference.
No amount is too small to make a big impact.
Claire, the first delivery at the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward
Henry & Claire with their namesakes (5 years old in this picture)
Henry, the first male born at the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward