September 13, 2017
Glasgow donates desktop computers to FOL
Glasgow donated desktop computers to FOL office
Mzuzu OSC building has been completed and is awaiting the official launch but it is functioning. It is a separate building from the main hospital building and easy to get to and it is seen from the entrance gate. As of now there is no Police officer on site but they are contacted when needed. The hospital attendant did say that counseling can be done at the hospital as well but the clinical counselors, one of them is Victor Mbuzi who wasn’t at the OSC but is also called when needed. There is an office for a social worker but ever since the OSC has started operating, a social worker has never come.
Besides the clinician’s room, the OSC has a resting room for victims, nurse’s room where all the examinations are done, it has a shower and toilet. There is a kitchen, a room for the police and a room for the social worker. The social worker’s and Police’s room are joined with a two way mirror where the conversation can be heard and seen from either rooms where talking to a client.
So far, clients range from 3 years old and it mostly teenagers who come in to report rape. It is rare for women to come to the OSC, only a few have managed to come. There has never been a case reported of a male victim yet.
The hospital is handling the administrative costs, some donations come in from others organizations but they are struggling for funds. There is no furniture in most of the rooms because there is no clear indication of “who” will cover the costs of the OSC. They open from 7:30am – 5:00pm.