The shadow of the first community health clinic in Guinea Bissau stretches far into the humid late afternoon, silent. She sees children at play; Mothers setting out large family-bowls of rice for the coming afternoon meal, and old men discussing politics while voices from their small transistor radios crackle in the background.

The shadow of the first community health clinic in Guinea Bissau is stoic; noting the absence of portentous, tell-tale national music coming from the radios. This is good; no coup, today.

Here within the Foundation we take pride in the completion of this health clinic, but additionally remain deeply humbled; both by the difficult completion process, the barriers of third-world bureaucracy, as well as the prospect of those who will finally, miraculously, receive life-saving treatment. And, while part of a larger combined movement, the sustained efforts of The Dos Santos Foundation’s CEO – Ben Dos Santos, are largely responsible for the mammoth, operational, in-country success that the completion of this clinic represents.

The inaugural for this beautiful, long-awaited building was meant to commence in December 2023.  Arrangements had been finalized for a combined State dinner and fundraiser at the beautiful Bissau Royal Hotel. Officers of the Foundation as well as its co-founders, all heavily active and invested at the operational level, were to fly once more into Guinea Bissau to offer their heartfelt thanks at this inaugural event.

However, on December 1, 2023, mere hours after travel arrangements had been finalized, clashes broke out between government forces and units of the National Guard, resulting in violence in the Capital city which necessitated a cancellation and abeyance of all plans related to this landmark event.

…and the first community health clinic in Guinea Bissau, She stood silent, watching.

The unexpected pivot and renewed efforts of The Dos Santos Foundation have since focused on an extra measure of fundraising and grant-writing; a highly competitive process which requires a sustained output of systemic, foundational energy. The multi-faceted goal of this next fundraising push is geared toward:

• Finalization of equipment purchase for the clinic;
• Stocking the clinic with outpatient medical supplies;
• Development of a functional link between clinical diagnostics (laboratory) and therapeutic treatments;
• Continued efforts to bring skilled clinicians into the country to train those who will ultimately develop a continuum of care for these patients.

As we press forward in these efforts, we do so from a space of gratitude, humility – and ultimately, patience: A principle with which so many of Guinea Bissau’s citizens are all-too-well acquainted.

The first community health clinic in Guinea Bissau stands patient, a cement-block sanctuary, waiting to envelop its most fragile, medically indigent and underserved citizens within the circle of Her arms.