The Cause Learn About It
Bamako Bampots is a charity which exists to provide refurbished Land Rover ambulances to the people of Bamako and the surrounding villages. Life in Mali can be tough and this is especially true for the people of Bamako. With no vehicles or other transport the nearest medical "facilities" are over 75 miles walk away. We aim to provide not one but two fully refurbuished Ambulances to the bush clinic in Mali Africa.
Medical facilities in Bamako are limited to one hospital in the city centre and a few maternity units like the ones on my pictures. These all reside within a 3 mile radius of the city and beyond that medical aid is virtually non existant. Working with the Rotary International we are bulding and provisioning an 8 unit medical centre supplied by Solar power and backup generators, 110v lighting and water.
This unit will be the central spoke in the remote area from which the Landrover Ambulances will operate providing essential medical care to the families in the 14 surrounding communes halfing the distance for emergency care and providing both neonatal care and a centre for Malaria treatment and innoculations.
The people of Bamako are proud but poor. The land is dry baked and deforestation caused by cutting down the bushes and trees for firewood has caused deforestation with no root complexes to hold the soil together. The district of Kalaban Coro encompasses 220 square kilometres and has a population of 49,000 people.
Less than 10 miles outside hte city of Bamako there are no roads and 4wd is essential in reaching these communities. The have no electricity or transportation other than a donkey and cart or a pedal cycle so getting essential medical aid means carrying someone on a stretcher the 75 miles to the nearest medical clinic.
Daily life is an endless struggle for the people of Mali. With poor sanitation, no electricity, transport or medical aid, life is about surviving. That said the people we encountered were gentle, kind and proud. Looking after each other as best they can.
