Each year, the Bacchus Society takes on a new or interesting fund raising challenge created by one of its members. This year’s project is the culmination of years of thought on how we can make a difference by acting locally and thinking globally through collaborating with the Africa Project and Western High Schools Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) to create the first "Bacchus Doc-in-a-Box".

"When I heard, nearly 60 children are raped every day in South Africa because of ignorance about HIV/AIDS," said Steve Bender, president and founder of the International Bacchus Society and owner of Green Buyers Broker. "I got to thinking. We need to improve conditions, not just send a check, but send a solution."

Bender responded to the Africa Project’s call to service, because 100% of the funds go toward the cause, and they have a reputation for launching sustainable grass root programs, services and support for children and families in Nkandla, South Africa. One of the most recognized programs is the school lunch program for Velangaye High School that feeds over 600 children a day, sometimes providing their only meal each day.

“At the same time I was talking to the Africa Project, I was working Project Playhouse with Katella’s BITA program. We were building a green playhouse and competing against professional builders,” said Bender. “My vision was to build something green with sustainability in mind that could meet the needs of people living in South Africa for years to come.”

The result: A Bacchus Society partnership with BITA and the Africa Project to build a sustainable modern remote medical clinic out of a 20 foot shipping container designed to meet local needs and conditions. Bacchus will fund it, BITA will build it, and the Africa Project will manage it once the cargo container is delivered.

Bender's fund raising and green construction experience helped him come up with a comprehensive solution uniquely made to fit in a 20ft shipping container that could be shipped and transported to the community. Research revealed that HIV/AIDS counseling, water purification, a functional health clinic and health education center could help meet some vital needs for the community of Nkandla.

Bender turned to the Builder Industry Association (BIA) and Western High School's BITA program to realize his vision. The students, as a part of the industrial arts program, would build the clinic and learn about the needs of teenagers half the way around the world.

“We fought to get permission from the school district to put the shipping container on school property,” said Jerry Cates, Western High School BITA program instructor. Under the guidance of Cates, the students will learn about green construction techniques for solar, wind, water collection, and insulation, providing them with valuable skills for the emerging green job market.

The "Bacchus Doc-in-a-box" interior features will include examination area, medical supplies, refrigeration, water filtration and record storage. The clinic will also be insulated, have good ventilation and electric lighting. Clinics can be run off of solar or local power supply. Outside the box is a multimedia education center to perform topical seminars on sex education, health issues, basic sanitation and safety. A convenient community bulletin board will have current health information illustrated to help villagers stay informed.

"Our students have decided to make this a school-wide project, running an awareness campaign and supplies drive," said Cates. "We are learning about another culture, HIV/AIDS and donating our building skills to a worthy cause. Some of the kids are planning to go to Africa to assemble the clinic. It's a big deal."