About Storytelling. When I developed a narrative strategy in the NPO area lately it was about Heroes and Hope. Like often, impressive inspirations give me a hint to look for related WOW hospitals.
This time my search brought me «back to Switzerland». To Altstätten in the Rhein Valley. October 1999 – the local Stephan Holderegger had a lung transplant and a new lease of life. This personal experience led him to put something almost unthinkable into practice. To build a hospital Kenya.
June 2000. The organization Rhein-Valley Hospital was founded. The original idea: to build a simple and effective rural hospital with 154 beds. After some research the makeable project of day clinic with 12 beds and a childbirth section was born – the Rhein-Valley Hospital in Kasambara-Gilgil (close to Nakuru), part of the Rift-Valley province, 150 kilometers northwest of Nairobi.
The Hospital of Hope for some 50’000 people in poverty at 2000m altitude.
Protocol of Heroes and Hopes
2001: Braking ground.
2004: Hospital is operational.
2007: a 2 hours walk away from the hospital, a 190m groundwater borhole was drilled – clean drinking water for thousands of people.
2008: Political turmoil – a tent city for up to 780 refugees is installed at the hospital which is conducting thousands of treatments
2010: First Kilimanjaro Fundraising Expedition to 5895 m
2011: Operating budget reaches CHF 250,000 per year, fundraising is key to provide 40’000 to 50’000 treatments
> Donate here
Hospital Director: Ruth Schaefer, Member of the Board too, partner in life with Stephan Holderegger – a true Woman in Healthcare.
What an impressive story, engagement, development. I learned a lot at congresses and meetings about personally connected stories in the healthcare sector that have led to start-ups or non-profit institutions. The view of 14 years of operation of the Rhein-Valley Hospital is more than extraordinary. The founders and the team of the Rhein-Valley Hospital and the people of Kasambara-Gilgil deserve support and recognition for a better and healthy life. Rural Healthcare is still a great challenge – this team of dedicated people is a symbol of human greatness for me.
Pics: Campus, consultation with kids, laboratory the new ultrasound device from 2013.
Well done, everyone at the Rhein-Valley Hospital. My thanks go to all the donators and cooperating partners too. Wish you all the best for your future, you are a true Hospital of Hope. Countless heroes included.
Maurice Codourey
The WOW hospitals blog 