Local artists in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State, have
launched a fundraising initiative to construct maternity wards at the
Owiny-Kibul Primary Health Care Unit.
Anani Mixson, chairperson of the Acholi Corridor artists,
said the Greater Magwi Artist Union launched the initiative in response to the
poor condition of the current facility, which is made of tents and lacks basic
infrastructure for expectant mothers.
“As local artists in Acholi Corridor, we sat down as artists
and said, 'Now that we have seen this problem, sometimes the government delays,
what shall we, as citizens, do?' We decided to organize a charity show to help
improve maternity facilities for those ready to give birth,” Mixson said.
Mixson, currently serving as the acting chairperson of the
Greater Magwi Artist Union, stated that through their fundraising efforts, they
were able to secure 50 bags of cement and five trips of bricks.
He further mentioned that they now intend to organize
another charity event to raise funds for iron sheets and other essential
materials to complete the construction.
"This initiative will not end with Owiny-Kibul. We are
still planning and looking at hard-to-reach areas where the government cannot
provide adequate support,” he stated.
He explained that once the work in Owiny-Kibul is completed,
they planned to organize another charity event to support Lobone and Palawar.
Oyet Joseph, head chief of Owiny-Kibul Payam, commended the
artists' initiative and called for wider support.
“I urge the entire community of Owiny-Kibul to support our
artists so that this fundraising effort succeeds,” Joseph urged.
“To everyone, regardless of whether you are from Owiny or elsewhere, if you believe in this program, understand its importance, and recognize that it supports a place where children are born, then anyone with a good heart should contribute to this cause until the work is fully completed.”
The construction of new maternity wards is currently ongoing at Owiny Ki-Bul Primary Health Care Centre, with support from the artists' union.