Kasserine: equipment for the regional hospital and a rural school to rebuild
In early December 2020, Karim Gharbi travelled to the governorate of Kasserine, one of the most neglected regions of Tunisia. He visited the regional hospital with the regional health director, then went to the delegation of Thala.
A promise made on site
Karim speaks from the rural school of El Argoub, in Thala, the day he launched the renovation of schools and hospitals in deprived regions.
Original video on InstagramA rural school
In Thala he signed a contract to renovate the rural primary school of El Argoub, in Waljet El-Dhel. “I am launching the restoration and renovation of schools and hospitals in deprived areas throughout Tunisia,” he announced.
A hospital in the middle of the pandemic
The works started within days. On 18 December, builders were plastering the stone walls and pouring a new roof slab at El Argoub 1 primary school. “Two weeks have passed and the works are progressing very well,” said its principal, Houcine Saidi. “The contractor and the technician even work on Sundays.”
El Argoub 1 primary school
The contract signed on site, then two weeks of works: plastering, a new roof slab, painting. The principal, Houcine Saidi, reports on progress.
Original video on InstagramOn 10 December 2020, Kasserine Regional Hospital received intensive care beds, respiratory machines, wheelchairs and protective equipment. The hospital’s director, Bachir El Hajji, thanked him publicly. “The visit was on Sunday and by Thursday the medical equipment for the emergency department was on site,” a regional health official said on camera, calling on other business leaders to follow the example.
Kasserine Regional Hospital
Visit on Sunday, equipment for the emergency department on site by Thursday. A health official thanks Karim and calls on other business leaders to follow.
Original video on InstagramA few weeks later, on New Year’s Day 2021, a panel of Tunisian television journalists named K2Rhym the personality who had done the most humanitarian work in 2020.
In I AM K2, Karim remembers his first visit: when he asked where the furniture was, the director answered that there was none, and patients were lying on the floor under blankets. Health workers in the film say the hospital’s first oxygen concentrators came from him.