VillageReach

Prize Finalist 2008

Organisation name

VillageReach
http://www.villagereach.org/

Testimonial

Sustainability is a very challenging objective.  Success requires vision, perseverance, creativity and years of hard work.  The Rio Tinto Alcan Prize recognizes the level of effort and innovation necessary to achieve sustainable improvements regarding economic, environmental and social problems.  VillageReach is honoured to join other organizations that understand the challenge.

Financial resources

Annual income US$ 989,821

Geographical focus

Sub-Saharan Africa

Issue focus

Health, community development, poverty, environment

Key achievements

• Immunized 260,000 children in northern Mozambique increasing vaccination coverage rates from 68 - 95%
• Established a propane distribution company to support the health system
• The Mozambique Ministry of Health has requested the program be expanded nationally

Mission

The mission of VillageReach is to save lives and improve well being in developing countries by increasing last mile access to healthcare and investing in social businesses that address gaps in health and community infrastructure.  Many rural communities face severe hardship and poverty, with families ravaged by preventable diseases that limit their ability to sustain themselves.  VillageReach was established to design, implement, prove, promote and expand a new approach to strengthen the health system for those who are the least accessible and too often the most in need.  VillageReach works to upgrade existing health infrastructure in rural areas while introducing innovative tools, technologies and best practices that increase the local capacity to improve and expand the reach of health services.

Central to VillageReach's approach is the creation of income-generating activities that build sustainability into its projects.  In Mozambique, VillageReach established VidaGas, a local propane distribution company, to secure a non-toxic, environmentally friendly fuel for use in health facilities.  Through VidaGas, VillageReach promotes the use of propane as a primary fuel source and a clean alternative to kerosene and biomass fuels.

Background

VillageReach began in 2000 after its founder, Blaise Judja-Sato, coordinated relief efforts for flood victims in Mozambique and became aware of the severe and inequitable limitations of existing infrastructure.  His experiences greatly influenced the future programmes of VillageReach.  In 2001, VillageReach formed a partnership with the Foundation for Community Development (FDC) to begin its work in the remote communities of Cabo Delgado, a rural province in northern Mozambique.  It has since expanded its programmes to an additional province in northern Mozambique, and has been asked by the Mozambique Ministry of Health (MoH) to expand nationally.  This is an enormous accomplishment for the project; it is almost unprecedented for a small non-governmental organization to be invited to scale its work to an entire country.

Management

Key VillageReach objectives are sustainability and scale.  By mobilizing local communities, supporting governments and enabling both non-profit and/or for-profit organizations to provide jobs and critical infrastructure, VillageReach creates a legacy of effective rural healthcare that continues beyond its presence in a region.  Broadening ownership of a solution significantly increases the chances of lasting success.

The use of data in decision-making is central to the VillageReach approach.  From initial baseline assessment, through implementation, to final program evaluation, rigorous and ongoing data use helps measure results and support on- going decision-making.  These documented results provide the basis to show the system works and should be continued and expanded.

VidaGas was established as a separate, independently managed, for-profit company.  VillageReach takes the role of catalyst and incubator, and at an appropriate point, will transfer ownership to local partners/social investors.  The business will continue to be linked through contractual and other arrangements to the MoH to support the health system.  Any capital returns will be reinvested into VillageReach programmes and social businesses.

Partnerships

Close and well-defined partnerships are essential to the success for all VillageReach programs.  VillageReach has partnered from day one with the MoH and FDC.  By working closely with the MoH and FDC, VillageReach ensured the program developed would be complementary to the long-term interests of the MoH.

Since its inception, VillageReach has partnered closely with PATH, a global health organization.  PATH has provided mentorship on program design and implementation, and served as an expert resource for baseline studies and evaluations.

For the Mozambique national expansion, VillageReach has begun working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), two preeminent international health organizations.

Impact Achieved

When VillageReach began its operations in Cabo Delgado in July 2002, it served 34 health centres.  In just two years this number had grown to 88 clinics offering immunisation services.  In August 2006, it started operating in neighbouring Nampula, expanding coverage to 261 health centres.  It has successfully transferred implementation of the program in Cabo Delgado to the MoH and in Nampula to FDC for eventual transfer to the MoH.  VillageReach continues to provide technical support.

The project has strengthened the cold chain infrastructure in the region with new propane-fuelled refrigerators for health centres, along with freezer packs and iceboxes for transport.  The service also provides propane-powered lighting for late-night emergencies and burners for equipment sterilization.

VidaGas currently supplies up to 26 tons of propane monthly, making it the largest volume distributor in northern Mozambique.  And for every 1 kg of propane sold, about 7.25 kg of charcoal are not used.  Besides the health benefit from not burning charcoal, there is powerful environmental impact from conserving forests that would have otherwise been harvested for fuel wood.  Since its inception in 2003, VidaGas has sold 570,954 kg of propane, 493,410 kg of which replaced biomass fuels and translates to approximately 2,322 hectares of forest conserved.

Contact

For further information please contact Allen Wilcox
Email: allen@villagereach.org