About Us
Since our launch in 2000, the team at Mt. Meru Tumaini Health Clinic has worked tirelessly to promote our cause. We are fortunate to have volunteers and staff from all walks of life who bring their unique expertise and resources into everything we do. This is what enables us to achieve our goals year after year.
While there is always more that can be done, there is no doubt that we are making a significant impact. We don’t measure our success through just facts and figures, but through happy faces and heartwarming feedback. See how you can become part of the difference.
Our History
Clinic Work Begins
In 2001, work began in the United States to form a non-profit to raise funds for a clinic and to provide ongoing support for the work being done in Ndoombo. By 2002, enough funds were raised to construct a clinic building with running water, electricity and plumbing. The original building was designed by Troy Steege.
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In August of 2002, thirty people went on the first mission trip to Ndoombo and witnessed the beginning of building a 9-room building to serve as a clinic for the village and surrounding area. Once completed, Romini could move into the new building.
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On this initial trip was one Dr. Deborah Sweet and her sister, Coral Mack. Deborah is an oral surgeon and she worked on patients outside under the bougainvillea. Rev. Moses’ youngest son, Polite Mbise, helped Deborah with her work. Deborah and Coral noticed Polite’s interest in dentistry and subsequently funded his schooling in Dar es Salaam to become a dentist. He started working with his sister Romini at the Mt. Meru Tumaini Health Clinic in 2009.
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Continued monetary donations and work performed by volunteers on yearly mission trips have made it possible to maintain and improve clinic services. In 2016, MMTHC received a license to provide healthcare to deliver babies and register births. Because of the wide service area of the clinic (10,000 people living in the area), and a lack of nearby medical services the Tanzanian Ministry of Health upgraded the clinic license to a dispensary. In Tanzania, a dispensary is a step up from a clinic. The staff will now work with the Ministry of Health to provide immunizations, maternity/delivery/well-baby care and health education.
Timeline
2002
Ground was broken to start budding a 9-room clinic to help save people.
2003
A well was dug near the clinic, offering clean water to the village.
2004
A relationship was established with MTC Pharmacy in Arusha to supply the clinic with medications and other medical supplies.
2005
2006
A land rover was purchased so that transportation could be provided in emergencies.
A food crisis happened in Ndoombo and the clinic began distributing food and livestock.
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2007
A board was formed in Tanzania, the clinic was registered as an NGO and an incinerator was built.
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Romini was trained through a government program so that she could offer HIV/AIDS counseling services.
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A second well was dug farther up the mountain from the clinic and Polite graduated from Dental School.
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Dental equipment was purchased to set up dental care at the clinic.
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Through a generous donation, land was purchased adjacent to the clinic, upon which stood a partially finished building.
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The two pieces of land were fenced in together creating the current campus, repairs were done to the original building and a chicken distribution was done. We also partnered with the local school to provide text books and shelving.
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A water distribution tank was built near the second well for irrigation.
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The process was begun to have the clinic licensed for labor and delivery and renovations were made to the current building to comply with health regulations. We continued partnering with the school and provided solar lights to students and desks and shelves for the teachers.
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The clinic was designated a Dispensary.
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The partially finished building was rebuilt to provide maternity/immunizations and education, solar panels were installed, a paved walkway to the campus entrance was constructed and a new water distribution system was erected.
2008
2009
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Philosophy
At Mt. Meru Tumaini Health Clinic , we take pride in being problem solvers who are not afraid to take risks. We believe that with boldness, creativity and heart, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. But above all, our strength lies in teamwork. Each and every one of us has the capability to contribute no matter their experience or background. With this strength behind us, just imagine what we can achieve together.
