The in-patient department at Umpiem Mai sits on a slope. And when it rains, the earth underneath slowly erodes away – just a little further each rainy season. There’s a roof overhead – meant to protect this from happening – but the roof is old. The poles holding it up are rotting away, the corrugated tin roof has holes.
“The roof is very old,” said Wai Htoo, the Director of the Health Center. “More than 10 years.”
Having a sturdy roof to keep the rain away is important for erosion of the foundation underneath. But it’s also important because when there’s laundry to be done, the team needs a spacious area to leave out clothes to dry.
We saw an opportunity to solve many problems by solving one – getting a new roof.
The old, rotting roof and poles pulled were pulled down, and the new was put up. And Wai Htoo couldn’t be happier. “There were so many holes,” he said. “This is great for people’s clothes to dry, and to keep this building safe.”
“I think this will last a long time. I’m very happy to have it.”