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In 1984 the Consortium for Community Centered Comprehensive Child Care (C6) was established in Denver, Colorado as an all volunteer, tax exempt, charitable organization. As a result of its efforts, in a region of East Africa where childhood diseases once threatened the very existence of the Maasai tribe, the Kilimanjaro Children's Hospital now stands. Known in Tanzania as the Selian Lutheran Hospital, it's located in the village of Selian, near Arusha, Tanzania, on land donated by local citizens. Maasai children, whose infant mortality rate was once among the world's highest, can now obtain the medicine and treatment they need for survival at a fully equipped and operational hospital.
The Hospital includes an 8,000 square foot Maternal-Child Health Care Clinic, providing immunizations, check ups, and outpatient care; a 71 bed Pediatric Ward for seriously ill, burned or malnourished children; and a Surgical Theater where as many as forty surgeries are performed weekly. The staff includes 5 doctors and up to 120 nurses, technicians, and service workers. Hospital services include xray, ultrasound, and an excellent laboratory. Nearly 45,000 patients of all ages are seen annually at an average cost of $3.00 per outpatient visit and $4.00 per day for inpatient care. No one is denied care even if they are unable to pay.
With the formation of the C6 Endowment Fund in 1999, monies are being set aside to offset the annual deficit created by non paying patients. C6 hopes this will insure the future financial stability of the Kilimanjaro Children's Hospital and its ongoing ability to serve all those in need of medical care.
In May of 2000, work was completed on the Arusha Town Clinic, located seven miles from Selian in the town of Arusha. The Clinic functions as a satellite of the Hospital, providing health care to those unable to conveniently travel to the Hospital.
C6's main fund raising event is a "Climb for Children" up the steep slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in East Africa. Contributions are solicited by climbers, who commit to raising at least $10,000.00 for the Hospital before leaving for Africa. They pay their own travel expenses and strive to reach the summit of Africa's highest peak (19,340 feet).
Since its inception, the Hospital has depended entirely on private contributions and receives no government or corporate funding. For more information on how you can become a participant in the Kilimanjaro Children's Hospital project, please contact our administrator, Susan Fox, at the KCH office (303-393-8650) or send your contribution to C6, 1740 High Street, Denver, Colorado 80218. You may also email Susan at sfoxjambo@msn.com
Known In Tanzania As The Selian Lutheran Hospital
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