Announcing Light the Night with Humless, Inc.

We are pleased to announce our partnership with Humless, Inc. on "Light the Night"--a project that will bring solar electricity to two rural health centers and the Iganga District Hospital Maternity Ward and Operating Theater. Humless, Inc. is a Utah-based solar company that developed highly efficient, lithium solar units. Bringing these units to Uganda will allow medical providers the light they need to provide adequate care; it will also help to increase the demand for services by strengthening public perception of the health centers. Finally, it will reduce deadly delays in cesarean sections (currently, they are sometimes done by flashlight or kerosene lantern). After a matching $5,000 grant from an anonymous donor, Humless is helping SAFE to fundraise the remaining money for the project. Please see video below to learn more about what we're doing!

Do Something Seed Grant Implementation!

Kalalu Women's Voice (women's group) welcoming SAFE with a song.

Women in Kalalu Women's Voice now incorporate nutrition education in their safe motherhood activities (especially a brand new safe motherhood home-to-home visitation program).

For the first time ever, the men of Kalalu--specifically of Bugya Bukye and KAMEDE men's group--attended a safe motherhood training. Traditionally, local cultural views birth and child-rearing as a female responsibility; by participating in this training, these men are showing their commitment to safe motherhood--and we couldn't be happier!

A men demonstrating "kangaroo care" as part of safe motherhood training.

One of the women's groups fields, which will be used for planting the organic sweet potatoes and passion fruit seeds that were purchased by the Do Something Seed Grant, after the groups received organic farming training.

Webale inho (Thank you so much) Do Something!!!!

Thank You Do Something!!!

A special thanks to Do Something (dosomething.org) for our $500 Seed Grant! Safe Mothers, Safe Babies summer team from Jefferson Medical College implemented our Seed Grant working with women's groups and development associations on safe motherhood initiatives. The project was a HUGE success, and accomplished:

• Helped two new women's groups form, all of which conduct safe motherhood activities and outreach.
• Provided safe motherhood training to 7 groups.
• Worked with 3 groups on developing high-quality safe motherhood and general health education dramas.
• Provided organic farming training (which is how the groups sustain their activities) to 7 groups.
• Provided organic passion fruit and sweet potato seeds to 3 groups.
• Registered 5 groups with the sub-county.
• Provided group management and business training to 7 groups.
• Provided emergency neonatal resuscitation training to two health centers.

This project allowed us to reach more than 200 men and women with safe motherhood education, who are in turn educating more than 4,000 people in their communities. Each of three groups planting passion fruit and sweet potatoes will also strengthen the nutrition for at least 60 families; because the planting will be done organically (from the Do Something funded organic farming training), it will also overcome many fertility and health problems that local people have incurred after using pesticide improperly. Webale inho Do Something!!

Shallow Well Hand-Over

Safe Mothers, Safe Babies is pleased to share the official hand-over of the shallow wells funded by the Rotary International Grant. A special thanks to our Rotary partners in Rotary Districts #7210 and #9200.

Photo Credit: Katherine Meese

SAFE Board Member, Erin Glueckert, and Program Manager, Mohamed Mukalu (Medie), at the official hand-over event with representatives of Rotary International--our awesome funders!

Nothing sweeter than clean water!

eRanger Program Launch

After 3 long years of hard work, SAFE is pleased to announce the launch of the eRanger motorcycle ambulance program at Ibulanku Health Center!!! A special Thanks to all of our supporters, espeically the Rotary International Foundation and Rotary Districts #7210 and #9200.

Photo credit: Katherine Meese

Ibulanku Health Center manager, Sulamain Lule, speaking at the eRanger launch.

Dignitaries and local Village Health Teams in attendance at the launch.

Village Health Team members wear their shirts to the eRanger launch. By working with the VHT members, the eRanger program will be able to reach many more women in need of transport during complicated obstetric emergencies.

It's official: the ribbon was cut!!

Welcome from Kalalu Women's Voice

Wonder what it's like to work with SAFE in Uganda? Check out this welcome song from Kalalu Women's Voice, one of the women's groups with which SAFE works!

Jefferson Medical Students in Uganda!

SAFE's first volunteer trip of the year is in full force! Caitlin White, Melissa Vitolo, and Erin Shapiro--first year medical students from Jefferson Medical School--arrived in Uganda at the end of last week. They will be working with SAFE Program Manager, Mukalu Medie, and Iganga citizens to expand our work with women's groups (including safe motherhood initiatives, nutrition projects, and income generation) and  train health professionals and lay citizens in emergency obstetric care. Check back soon for updates from the interns!