A doctor is asking the community to help give the gift of life to an African nation.

Dr. Christopher Johnson hopes to raise $150,000 for the people of Burundi whose hospitals were looted of supplies and equipment during a 12-year bloody civil war.

The east African nation is still recovering from the brutal conflict between the dominant Tutsi minority and Hutu majority but has made its tentative steps towards peace and democracy.

Medical care however, is lacking. Burundi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world.

According to Human Rights Watch: "Patients must pay all medical costs, such as medical consultations, tests, medicines, supplies and their stay at a hospital.... Public hospitals do not receive enough income from patient fees, direct donations and funds from the government to allow proper functioning, and they lack well-trained medical staff, equipment and medicine."

Reconstructive surgeon Dr. Johnson said: "The people of Burundi need your help. The two hospitals serve eight million people and neither has a fully-equipped operating room.

"The conditions of the operating and recovery rooms are terrible, completely unacceptable.

"Burundi's Minister of Health Dr. Emmanuel Gikoro has welcomed anything that we can do to help in his country."

Project Change Bermuda has now pledged to outfit two operating rooms at Roi-Khaled Hospital and Prince Regent Charles Hospital in the capital of Bujumbura.

The charity plans to carry out its mission in May and November this year. Whilst there it also aims to undertake eye surgery at the Gandhi Memorial Hospital, with the assistance of Bermudian opthamologist Leonard Teye-Botchway.

Project Change is now appealing to the generosity of the people of Bermuda. It needs more than $150,000 to kit out the operating rooms and pay for the medical teams. At least six doctors, six to eight nurses, and up to five support staff are required.

People can help by making donations or sponsoring the purchase of medical equipment. In return the charity will mount an engraved plaque with your name or company's name and logo, on each piece of equipment purchased.

Items needed range from ventilator machines and generators, to stethoscopes, wheelchairs and stretchers.

"This is a wonderful gift because you are helping to save lives," said Dr. Johnson.

Project Change now has a series of fundraisers planned for the coming months.

This Friday and Saturday it is encouraging the community to support two tag days. Then on Saturday evening, people can enjoy a celebration of Bollywood at the Aquarium.

'Hooray for Bollywood' promises a fun evening of Indian movies and spicy hors d'oeuvres. Guest star Bollywood dancer Seema Iyer will also give a performance.

On March 7 it is then time to dust off those platform shoes for the Seventies party 'Good Times Disco Fever' at Fresco's.

A more formal occasion is planned for the weekend of April 16-19 when 'HRH Princess' Katarina DeSilva hosts a Black Tie Gala ball. The Benefit Weekend also includes a Welcome Reception, a play, sailing on a luxury yacht and a Jazz Brunch with pianist Eric Lewis (formerly of the Wynton Marsalis Band).

For tickets for all of these events call 292 2000 or 536 0120.

'Hooray for Bollywood' takes place at the Aquarium from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. Tickets are $50.

'Good Times Disco Fever' is held on March 7. Tickets are $25, also available from Fresco's. There will be a prize for the best Seventies outfit.

All proceeds go to Project Change: Bermuda Burundi, Africa Mission 2009.

For more information log onto: www.projectchangebermuda.org or telephone 292 2000.

The charity's bank account is at the Bank of Butterfield in Reid Street.

Account number: 20006060422625100. Please make all cheques payable to: Project Change Bermuda.