Current Projects
For generations, mothers in Butoto Sub County, Manafwa District have brought new life into the world under conditions no family should ever endure. Without medical support, trained hands to guide them, or the safety that every birth deserves.
We are going to break that cycle.
We are constructing a Maternity Ward right here in Muturu Village; a place where mothers will no longer face childbirth alone, where skilled care will be within reach, and where every baby can enter the world surrounded by warmth, safety, and dignity.
This maternity ward will provide life-saving care for mothers during delivery, ensure newborns get the healthiest possible start, and restore hope and dignity to families across our community.
We have big plans to help the mothers in our community, and your support makes it possible.
Your generosity, whether it’s through donations, spreading our mission to others, or volunteering in person, brings us one step closer to a future where no mother in Muturu Village has to choose between her life and her child’s.
Together, we are building more than a maternity ward. We are building a promise: that every mother matters, and every life is worth fighting for.
Maternity Ward - Building Hope Brick by Brick
Posho Mill Project
We currently serve around 25,000 residents in Eastern Uganda, many of whom survive on less than a dollar a day. Because many of our healthcare services remain free for those in need, we operate at a net loss in the clinic. By investing ~$13.5k USD (12k €) in a local maize mill, we can turn the region's main crop into affordable flour for our families and generatin 360,000kg of food annually. This sustainable initiative eliminates the 50km journey to the nearest mill and creates a steady income stream to cover our clinic’s operating costs. The completion of this mill will help us build a healthier, more self-reliant community through better nutrition and stable medical care.
Livestock Initiative - Sustainable Agriculture
In April 2023 we started the cattle project. Together with our volunteer Kristina from Slovakia, we were able to raise 3M Shilling (~800 €) to buy three bulls.
Throughout the day, the bulls are allowed to room outside and are fed with local plants and food. Thanks to this good care, they are growing fast and brought a profit of 2M Shilling (~550 €). The money will be reinvested to let this project grow further and support the women in our community.
Update, Nov 2023:
The cattle project has since grown with the generous support from our very own Jennifer from the US.
“We would love to express our heartfelt gratitude for your commitment to support Zion Community development initiatives.
Special thanks to you for the financial support of 5,419,136 shillings towards the cattle and goat project. We are deeply indebted to you and appreciate your tireless efforts to advocate and lobby for us.
We purchased 2 cows, and 8 goats with 2 kids”
-Peter
Interested in gifting our community with a chicken, cow, or goat?
Ongoing Services
Immunizations
Thanks to a generous donation from Dulas UK, Zion Clinic now has a dedicated vaccination freezer. This equipment allows us to provide life-saving vaccines to families in the Mount Elgon region who previously had to hike 8 km over difficult mountain paths for basic medical care. We now providing essential immunizations for children and adolescents, protecting them against diseases. By bringing these services directly to the heart of the community, we ensure a healthier future for every child. Your support helps us keep these vital vaccines accessible to those who need them most.
For Children we provide Polio, Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, HiB, Meningitis, Streptococcus Pneumonia, Rotavirus, Measels, and Chicken Pox vaccines.
For Adolescents, we provide
HPV, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Yellow fever, Typhoid fever, Hepatitis B, and Covid-19 vaccines.
Right now, we are collecting founds through our projects and through donations that are directed to this project. One trimester at our school costs 15 € per child. We are grateful for those that want to support our young children as a volunteer or with donations.
Nursery and School
Until 2023, we taught the children of the community at Zion Nursery and Primary School. Unfortunately, we couldn't afford the payment for the teachers or supplies anymore and had to close the school. Our goal is to reopen it again, and to keep it running indefinitely.
Before the school had to close, we had 86 students divided into 6 classes (3 nursery and 3 primary).
In the Nursery we teach music and dance to promote a creative space for learning. We also teach the nursery students English, Lumasaba (the local language), reading and writing. The more theory heavy material is taught through fun narratives.
At the Primary School we teach all core subjects, and create a foundation for the kids to build upon. In primary school we use the common method of illustrative teaching, and also teach in more inclusive manners by letting the students discuss and work in groups.
Woodworking & Upholstery
In Uganda, many families struggle to afford school fees, leaving children without an education and vulnerable to negative influences. To change this, our Woodworking & Upholstery project offers youth a safe, welcoming environment at the Zion Community center. Here, they gain valuable craftsmanship skills by building high-quality furniture like beds, doors, and windows. These skills allow them to build independent livelihoods as skilled artisans and carpenters. We are deeply grateful to our local teachers and international volunteers who share this vision. Your support helps us provide these young people with the tools for a brighter, more secure future.
Completed Developments
Volunteer's Quarters
In 2022, we finished our volunteers’ quarters with the great help of the whole Zion Community and local craftsmen. Until then, our beloved volunteers had to stay at a local guesthouse or share a room with the staff. Now, every volunteer gets their own room on site, connected to the clinic and staff kitchen. Sometimes, being in a different cultural environment can be tough and overwhelming. That's why we wanted to give our volunteers their own private space.
We want our volunteers to feel like a part of the community, and a part of our family at Zion.
Water Collection System
Before 2022, our community lacked running water, requiring a difficult 700-meter mountain trek 15 times daily to refill 20kg cans. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers (shout out to Michelle and Liesha), we successfully installed 11,000 liters of storage, bringing taps, showers, and sanitation directly to our center for the first time. While this was a major milestone, our work continues. Currently, the system requires manual transport between tanks during the dry season. Our next step is to fully integrate all three tanks into a single, seamless pipe system to ensure a stable, year-round water supply for every patient and staff member.
Solar Power Initiative
For nearly a decade, Zion Community operated without electricity, relying on headlamps to treat patients after sunset. Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of our volunteer Oliver and donors from Denmark, we successfully installed a solar power system. This milestone has transformed our care, allowing for night shifts and the use of electronic microscopes to accurately diagnose diseases like malaria. It also streamlined our administration through digital documentation. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring light to our clinic, elevating the quality of health services we provide to our community.
