![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/aa686c2f-145e-4fce-953a-2b3f35da8296_rw_600.jpg?h=36c1135d2cd401941febf8687221a440)
I first visited Chahi Hospital back in 2014. Located in a poor and dangerous region of Bukavu in DR Congo, the need for quality health care is tremendous. My first impressions of this hospital were of a small and somewhat dirty facility where overworked staff battled overcrowding, lack of bare essentials such as water and electricity and a severe shortage of even the most basic medical supplies. The team I met were beautiful people, doing a fantastic job with the challenging obstacles placed in their way.
I was so happy to return to Chahi hospital 3.5 yrs on during my recent trip to Bukavu. The changes that I witnessed were impressive. Due to the hard work and fundraising of Focus Congo partnering with the hospital, the place was barely recognizable. New equipment, including beds, x-ray, surgical and diagnostic equipment, a generator and water tanks – things we take for granted are changing and saving lives every day in this part of the DRC. The smiles on the faces of staff and patients show just how much these changes mean.
![Head surgeon at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/0c2746c5-540c-4678-9c8a-43de061f7d77_rw_1920.jpg?h=e9d0d70a536fa3b47ffe3d80a617f459)
Head surgeon at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![CEO at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/1e1e9053-b86b-4d32-a087-e76a483a299b_rw_1200.jpg?h=547ec919a42396332a391828a18cc492)
CEO at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Performing surgery at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/30f2f801-e676-4434-b533-cec074b6e957_rw_1920.jpg?h=1b6f63f0c18a42fdd8c1026ef974841c)
Performing surgery at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Children and mums at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/1a422081-dec2-42d7-b1fb-2789d4a19938_rw_1920.jpg?h=a98457d08831cc15d599a3f7b5c1a122)
Children and mums at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![The early days of life. Breastfeeding at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/d9337250-65ad-48a5-affe-e2007b6021fc_rw_1920.jpg?h=5ca78e91e500d7f8bbdd2c8610bc4853)
The early days of life. Breastfeeding at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![The medical staff working at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/44ebd9e5-4853-4a10-bef1-17b44fcc0c3e_rw_1920.jpg?h=4ef4ef91cc3665d6ca0b3d7ae6f34ed2)
The medical staff working at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Flora at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/5bddc2aa-206f-4f43-a8b3-e7d26916af9b_rw_1920.jpg?h=e16d0cf6d3ba312e81744c532c8a48b4)
Flora at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Patients at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/61c8d869-bac8-43a9-bde3-e623c19e1cd1_rw_1920.jpg?h=e959ce45c6c6ebc6156b4574cb91740e)
Patients at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![X-ray diagnosis at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/7df477ff-0470-494d-b676-16d5c7c7d21d_rw_1920.jpg?h=2fa42ae216b994d57595d4d93c08aa25)
X-ray diagnosis at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Young boy and medical staff at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/08633d0a-6eb0-4885-8672-29561cafca88_rw_1920.jpg?h=97614b140ffbda12c1483a2c87ca2eef)
Young boy and medical staff at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Doctor at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/e00de0d4-2bff-45ec-8ee9-546ce10f5e8e_rw_1920.jpg?h=1174bf216c85f53011aa1ef06b37f5dc)
Doctor at Chahi Hospital, DRC
![Hospital staff talking with new mothers at Chahi Hospital, DRC](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cbdbd97a13357f2b5d4504275e8221d1/0cb4f139-8f0a-45ba-a6f9-66845950646e_rw_1920.jpg?h=db45aacfeee1c5c808852b67c0b2010e)
Hospital staff talking with new mothers at Chahi Hospital, DRC
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