El Dorado Nursing SchoolHistory: The El Dorado Nursing School began as the dream of Dr. Ivan Mulongo, hospital director in Mulongo, DR Congo. He was grieved at the overwhelming medical needs he saw and responded by establishing the region's only nursing school there at the hospital. In 2008, Dr. Ivan was a delegate at The United Methodist Church's General Conference in Texas when he met Denver and Robin Thornton of El Dorado, Arkansas. He shared with them the important work of the young school and the urgent problem they faced: in order to maintain its accreditation, the school needed to comply with the new law that every school have its own campus. Did they know anyone who would like to help build a nursing school?
The Rev. Joseph Mulongo, United Methodist District Superintendent of Mulongo and Friendly Planet Missiology Country Director, organized the students and local community in making bricks and volunteering labor to build the nursing school. Through sweat equity, aprox. 80% of the cost of construction has been contributed by the local community. Dr. Ivan, now a congressman, is working to leverage both regional and national assets within Congo to support the school and create a network of health centers staffed by its graduates. In July 2013, we formally celebrated the completion of first wing (three large classrooms). The second building, the maternity/midwife training center is already in use and nearing full completion. Phases three and four will be the library/admin building and a dormitory for female students coming from great distances. We thank the Thornton family for taking the lead in seeking funds for construction supplies and women's scholarships. Fundraising Goals: Phase #3: $50,000 Phase #4: $40,000 Women's Scholarship Fund: $200 and $500 scholarships per student More about the creation of El Dorado can be found on our blog and Facebook photo albums. |
Nursing School Construction VideobookPhase #1 Construction Celebration, July 2013: |