Care for Health across Continents: Ebenezer Clinic & CCCD

Pharmacy at Ebenezer Clinic [Image Credit: Ebenezer Clinic]

In an increasingly globalized world, business expertise can be a powerful force for social good. We sat down with two CCCD Project Managers and Business Coaches, Ines Fenske and Stephen (aka Steve) Jackson, for a joint interview about their recent project with the Ebenezer Clinic and Diagnostic Centre in Ibanda, Uganda. This unique collaboration, born from a shared passion for making a difference, highlights the power of complementary skills, cultural understanding, and a shared love for soccer.

The Mission of Ebenezer Clinic

The Ebenezer Clinic is a vital healthcare provider in Northern Uganda, dedicated to offering health services to people with limited financial means. Beyond its core medical services, the clinic is pioneering a social Wellness Centre for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a critical initiative in a region where health awareness is still developing.

"Our role was to help Dr. Leonard Kururagireh Bakahika, Lead Specialist and Medical Director of the clinic, make his business plan more robust," Ines, an accounting expert, explains. "We focused on the Wellness Centre as the social component of the business, updating the financial model based on audited statements and creating realistic forecasts for the coming years."

"Our role was to help Dr. Leonard Kururagireh Bakahika, Lead Specialist and Medical Director of the clinic, make his business plan more robust."

Steve, a seasoned professional in the aerospace industry, brought a fresh perspective to the project. "I was able to apply my experience in inventory and people management to a completely new environment," he says. "The techniques for balancing stock and planning staff are surprisingly similar, whether you're managing parts for an airplane or medications for a clinic."

Pharmacy at Ebenezer Clinic [Image Credit: Ebenezer Clinic]

One of their most impactful contributions was implementing a stock-turn model for medications. This model helped Leonard balance his inventory, preventing costly overstocking and avoiding shortages that required expensive expedited deliveries. They also developed a people-planning model to help the clinic manage its growing team of doctors and nurses.

"From a financial standpoint, we helped clean up the balance sheet and ensured the cash flow plan was realistic for both the business and the social initiative," Ines adds. "I learned that Uganda has voluntarily adopted international accounting rules, so I could apply my knowledge directly, which was a huge bonus."

A Personal Connection

Both Ines and Steve came to the project with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "This was my second significant volunteer project in Africa," Steve says. "I was a little nervous about how we would work together, but we quickly found common ground and it was a friendly experience from the start."

Dr. Leonard Kururagireh Bakahika [Image Credit: Ebenezer Clinic]

The initial uncertainty was quickly dispelled. "After the first meetings, I realized my experience could truly be helpful," Ines says. "The atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed, built on mutual respect."

A shared interest in soccer quickly became a unique "icebreaker." Steve and Leonard discovered they supported rival UK teams, creating a fun, easy rapport. "It was easy to find something to laugh about!" Steve jokes. This personal connection, Ines adds, contributed to "working together with much more ease and lightness."

The collaborative spirit extended to their own team as well. "Ines and I brought complementary skills—general management and financial accounting—to the project, so we really helped each other," Steve says. The biggest reward, they both agree, was hearing Leonard report back that their work had been genuinely helpful.

Lessons and Reflections

Reflecting on the experience, Ines and Steve emphasize the importance of patience and adaptability. "As an entrepreneur, Leonard has to balance many different priorities," Steve says. "We had to learn to wait for information until he had the time to provide it. If we had tried to force a 'German-style stick to your dates' approach, the project would have suffered."

Steve concurs, highlighting the value of listening. "We took the time to listen to what mattered and adapted our approach," he says. "We also learned to listen to how others express themselves in English, as local accents and phrases take time to learn."

The key to their success, they believe, was a shared willingness to learn and grow. "Working together with Leonard was successful because all three of us shared knowledge and were willing to learn," Ines says. "We treated each other with respect and trust. Leonard made me realize once again that not everything we take for granted in Germany can be taken for granted somewhere else."

For others considering similar projects, their advice is straightforward: "Listen hard, be patient, and ask direct questions when things appear off track." Their experience with the Ebenezer Clinic stands as a testament to the idea that successful collaboration is not just about numbers and models—it's about building trust, sharing knowledge, and respecting the unique context of every business and community.

"Listen hard, be patient, and ask direct questions when things appear off track."

Ines Fenske

Steve Jackson