CONTEXT
South Sudan is among the most fragile countries in the world: over 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty, and basic health services are almost entirely absent. The maternal mortality rate (1,223 per 100,000 live births) and the infant mortality rate (61 per 1,000) are among the highest on the planet, worsened by civil war, famine, epidemics, and destroyed infrastructure.On the outskirts of Juba, the country’s capital, the Ursuline Sisters of Gandino have been working since 2014 in a densely populated and extremely poor area, where hundreds of families arrive every day seeking care and safety.In 2019, the Three Angels Health Center was inaugurated. It provides basic healthcare, maternity services, vaccinations, a laboratory, and programs for health education and women’s empowerment. The results are impressive: over 52,000 laboratory tests and 10,000 medical consultations annually in 2024. However, the constant increase in patients and the lack of adequate space are putting the entire system under pressure.
BUDGET
- Total budget: 650,000 USD
- Funding already secured: 43% (private donors and the Congregation)
- Requested contribution: 57% (Ampelos and other partners)
OBJECTIVE
The project aims to expand and make the Three Angels Health Center in Juba self‑sufficient, ensuring safe and continuous maternal and child healthcare, and offering women training and economic independence.Specifically, the project includes:
- Construction of a new maternity ward (18 beds, 2 isolation beds, delivery area, storage room, laundry, bathrooms, and a medical incinerator)
- Creation of an oven and bakery for domestic economy courses and the production of bread and baked goods
- Strengthening of the photovoltaic and water systems to achieve full energy autonomy
- Protective walls and drainage systems to defend the complex from frequent flooding
- Professional training for women in sewing, cooking, hygiene, IT, and English
STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
- Healthcare infrastructure: construction of a new maternity ward and accessory structures (incinerator, placenta pit, laundry, technical area)
- Women’s empowerment: strengthening sewing, cooking, and hygiene courses; introduction of a bakery workshop to generate income
- Economic autonomy: creation of a small commercial office to manage supply contracts (school uniforms, catering, bakery)
- Established partnerships: collaboration with the Ursuline Sisters of Gandino, La Salle Foundation Italy ETS, the Archdiocese of Juba, Ampelos ASBL, and Ampelos ODV for technical coordination and fundraising
- Environmental sustainability: use of renewable energy, rainwater collection and reuse, and local construction materials
CONCLUSIONS
The expansion of the Three Angels Health Center has:
- Tripled the capacity for obstetric and neonatal care, reducing maternal and infant mortality
- Improved the quality of care through safe environments, modern equipment, and trained staff
- Created employment opportunities for women and develop social micro‑enterprises (bakery, tailoring, catering)
- Ensured the economic sustainability of the center through solidarity‑based paid services and productive activities
- Strengthened the presence of the local Church as a beacon of hope and reconciliation in a context of war and poverty