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!

International Day of the Midwife

Today is International Day of the Midwife. Help us recognize midwives in Uganda for their extraordinary efforts to save women by supporting the programs that connect them with needed educational and service-delivery resources. Visit: http://www.safemotherssafebabies.org/?p=what_we_do&s=maternal_health and http://www.safemotherssafebabies.org/?p=what_we_do&s=ecare for more information!

World Malaria Day

In memory of all the millions of people who die every year from malaria, today is World Malaria Day. Malaria is of particular concern to pregnant women; pregnancy reduces a woman's resistance to the disease and makes it harder to fight. Malaria is even more catastrophic for newborns. Help us stop the spread of this disease by expanding our Malaria Prevention Program. Visit: http://www.safemotherssafebabies.org/?p=what_we_do&s=malaria_prevention

Thank you!
- The SAFE Team

Humless Solar Project

Thanks to the generous support of a US-based alternative energy company, Humless, SAFE is initiating a quick capacity-building project to install innovative solar technology at six health centers within Bugweri Sub-County. Humless has agreed to provide their easy-to-use, lithium-based solar units (as opposed to lead-based), designed to last for many hours with one charge, to SAFE at cost and moreover to match donations dollar-for-dollar. Towards this endeavor, we are seeking to raise $3,000; we currently have raised $1,000. Your contribution to the SAFE's Lighting Rural Uganda Project will be much appreciated! Please visit www.safemotherssafebabies.org for information on how to donate, or direct inquiries to safemothers.safebabies@gmail.com!

Erin Glueckert and International Women's Day

We are glad to finally share pictures from Board Member Erin Glueckert's recent trip to Uganda, where she attended International Women's Day.

Erin giving Certification of Appreciation to the Source of the Nile Rotary

Erin with Kalalu Women's Voice

Erin with Kalalu Men's Development Group (KAMEDE)

Kalalu Women's Voice preparing for their reproductive health drama,
performed on International Women's Day (March 8), focused on the
theme "produce the number of children that you can support).

Shallow Wells

The construction of four shallow wells is officially underway! Well construction is being facilitated through our partner organization, the Uganda Village Project. Check out this page for more information on their safe water program: http://www.ugandavillageproject.org/what-we-do/safe-water/

Above: Shallow well constructed by the Uganda Village Project in Busembe.
Photographic credit: Anne Sherwood--www.annesherwood.com

Malaria and Mosquito Nets

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by female mosquitoes that afflicts nearly 250 million people every year, mostly in the developing world. It causes high fevers and flu-like symptoms, anemia, and in the event of cerebral malaria can also cause seizures and death. Especially for young children, pregnant women, and the elderly, malaria can be deadly; every year, around 1 million people die from the disease.

As awful as malaria is, it is also much easier to prevent than it is to treat. Malaria is becoming resistant to many of the former first-line drugs of choice; medication is also hard to obtain, especially in rural villages, and can be expensive. Conversely, mosquito nets hang over a person's bed while he/she sleeps to prevent an infected mosquito from biting its next host. Because the majority of malaria transmission happens between the hours of 1 AM and 4 AM when people are sleeping, mosquito nets can reduce malaria by up to 90%.

To date, Safe Mothers, Safe Babies has distributed 456 mosquito nets. Fortunately, the Rotary International Grant that helped us obtain the eRangers is also funding the purchase of 1,500 more mosquito nets. SAFE Program Manager Medie will be traveling to a distribution point with Source of the Nile Rotarian, Olam Sam, to purchase the nets TODAY!

SAFE Mosquito Net Outreach held in January 2009 in Iganga.
Photographic credit: Anne Sherwood--www.annesherwood.com