After months of hard work, joy and pride filled the air in Chisamba as the community came together to celebrate the opening of a brand-new Maternity & Child Health unit at Chisamba Rural Health Centre – a safe and welcoming space built to serve mothers and babies with the care and dignity they deserve.
Built with purpose, by and for the community
For years, expectant mothers in Chisamba faced daunting conditions. The new facility replaces an outdated and overcrowded space, and has been carefully designed to offer a more comfortable, private and hygienic environment for mums and babies.
It includes a larger delivery room, dedicated antenatal ward, and a postnatal ward. Electricity connection will help ensure safer deliveries, particularly at night. Additional space means the facility will host clinics for children under-five years for follow-up and vital vaccinations.
The new Maternity and Child Health Unit at Chisamba Rural Health Centre
A proud moment for Chisamba
With the help of our supporters, partners and the Chisamba community, we led the construction of this purpose-built maternity unit – turning years of hope into something real and lasting.
At the handover ceremony, the atmosphere was filled with pride and celebration. Area Member of Parliament Hon. Chushi Kasanda applauded the collaboration between Build It and all the people involved in achieving such a vital milestone:
“This facility will enable our dedicated health staff to provide improved, accessible and dignified maternal healthcare services. It will go a long way in enhancing reducing maternal deaths, and improving child health outcomes” she said during the ribbon cutting.
Double celebrations
The celebrations did not end there. The event also marked the graduation of 12 young people from Chisamba, who completed our construction training programme – and whose skills helped bring this very facility to life. Families gathered with joy, hugging their graduates and dancing in recognition of their achievements.
New skills mean new opportunities for our graduates to find work
Area Member of Parliament Hon. Chushi Kasanda commended the graduates for completing their training, and encouraged the local community to take them on for building projects across the district.
Build It Chair Lucie Kasanga also praised the new graduates:
“At Build It, we believe in creating opportunities. We’re proud to equip young men and women with both essential technical skills and the softer life skills that will help them thrive in the industry.”
Graduate Sarah Mbewe was delighted to complete the training saying:
“I’m very happy and pleased with what has happened today. I did not think I would make it – but I stayed strong and today I have received my certificate! I am proud of myself and I’m very grateful to have had this opportunity.”
Lasting impact
Ms Kasanga reaffirmed Build It’s commitment to supporting the development of essential infrastructure, and called on the clinic and the community to care for the new facility so it can serve future generations.
This maternity unit is not just a building – it’s the result of local commitment, shared effort and passion to make things better.
Thank you for #BuildingBrighterFutures in Zambia.