Why the Maternity Ward Needs to Be Rehabilitated
The maternity ward we are supporting was built to serve as a safe place for women to give birth, yet years of heavy use, limited funding, and structural deterioration have left it unsafe and under-equipped. Mothers are delivering children in overcrowded rooms, often without reliable electricity, clean water, or essential medical supplies. Beds, sanitation facilities, and basic infrastructure have fallen into disrepair, creating an environment that places women and newborns at unnecessary risk. What should be a moment of safety, dignity, and hope is too often overshadowed by fear and preventable complications.
Rehabilitating this maternity ward is not simply a construction project — it is a lifeline. By restoring clean, functioning facilities and providing updated equipment, we can dramatically reduce maternal and infant mortality, strengthen community trust in local healthcare, and create a sustainable foundation for long-term wellbeing. Women deserve to give birth in a space that honors their dignity and protects their lives. This project gives them exactly that: a chance at a safer birth, a healthier start for their children, and a stronger future for their families and communities.
Polly’s Maternity Ward Rehabilitation Project: MPALA, NEEDS OUR HELP!
Mpala Maternity Ward Rehabilitation Project
A Collaborative Humanitarian Initiative by The REEL Project & Professor Allen Roberts (UCLA)
An Effort That Saves Lives
The REEL Project (501c3, est. 2008) is honored to share an initiative that reflects the heart of our humanitarian work. In collaboration with former UCLA professor Al Roberts, and in loving memory of the late Polly Roberts, we are preparing to rehabilitate the Mpala Maternity Ward — a critical lifeline for mothers and newborns in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Your support today helps us bring safer births and improved care to families who need it most.
Transforming Maternal Care in Mpala, DRC
We’re thrilled to formally announce our next major project: the full rehabilitation of the maternity ward at Mpala, located along the beautiful but remote shores of Lake Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For thousands of women in this region, access to quality maternal care is limited. Aging infrastructure and sanitation challenges create daily risks for expectant mothers and newborns.
This project will change that.
What This Rehabilitation Includes
Construction & Structural Improvements
We will repair and renovate key areas of the facility to improve safety, functionality, and accessibility — creating a clean, secure, and welcoming environment for labor, delivery, and recovery.
Essential Equipment & Basic Supplies
Where possible, we will help equip the ward with essential tools needed for safe delivery — while keeping our primary focus on structural rehabilitation and immediate facility needs.
Sanitation & Hygiene Upgrades
Improving sanitation is one of the most impactful ways to reduce maternal and infant mortality. This includes strengthening water access, sterilization processes, and overall hygiene conditions.
Supporting Mothers & Newborns
From delivery beds to basic newborn care essentials, every improvement supports healthier beginnings for families in Mpala.
This work reflects The REEL Project’s long-standing mission: uplifting communities from within — Share Stories, Connect People & Change Lives — through film, technology, and education.
In Honor of Polly Roberts
This initiative is carried out in loving memory of Polly Roberts, whose commitment to community, culture, and humanity continues to inspire those fortunate enough to know her legacy.
A heartfelt thank you to Al Roberts, whose support and collaboration make this project possible.
How You Can Help
Your generosity directly fuels construction efforts and essential infrastructure upgrades. Together, we can provide a safer, healthier future for mothers and children in Mpala.
Every contribution makes an impact.
Donate today:
Thank you for helping us bring this vision to life.