Meet the Interns

Meet a few of the amazing interns we have working in Uganda right now!

Corrinne Sanger is from Wayne State University in the heart of the Motorcity: Detroit, Michigan. There she studied anthropology and French and offered her musical abilities in double bass performance to the local orchestras and music ensembles, all while working towards applying to medical school! When she’s not thumbing through MCAT flash cards, practicing excerpts from Beethoven symphonies, or keeping up with the latest anthropological research, she enjoys riding her horses, taking her dog on walks in the city, working in the anesthesia research department, and entertaining her family with fun songs on her ukulele. “I am so excited to work with SAFE this summer,” she says, “because I know that this is an opportunity with an organization that will really bring about the kind of change and development that I, as an anthropologist and future physician, want to see in the world and have always hoped to be apart of. Being sensitive to and embracing the rich culture of the people of Uganda, all while integrating and implementing the life-saving and life-sustaining techniques and educational programs that SAFE stands for is what makes me proud to be apart of such an amazing group of people!” 

Caryn Turner just finished the first year of her Masters in Public Health at the University of Texas where she is a global health major. When she is not writing papers for school she loves to take her dogs out to the park or for a walk around the neighborhood. She also loves spending her weekends with her nephews and niece (Cullen, Jackson and Tybee). She comes from a military family and, as a result, loves traveling. She finds herself with itchy feet quite often, which will be cured very soon when she heads out to Uganda! “I can’t wait to work with SAFE,” she says, “because all I’ve done so far in my masters is learn in the classroom and SAFE has given me the opportunity to actually DO something to initiate a long-lasting positive change in a community. This really gives me the opportunity to do what I’ve wanted to do my whole life, which is work in an international community and help solve a real problem that has been plaguing the people that live there. I could not be more excited to work with SAFE this summer!”

Katie Morrison is currently a Master’s in Public Health candidate at Boston University, concentrating in maternal and child health. She had the privilege of traveling to Tanzania, Africa in 2010 with an organization called One Heart Source to help fight the generational cycle of HIV/AIDS and poverty. That experience left her not only inspired to help those left most vulnerable by a weak and unstable political system, but also opened her eyes to what it truly means to be human. “I am beyond excited to continue my journey to further ignite growth and change working with Safe Mothers, Safe Babies this summer,” she says. “I am thrilled to support SAFE in their mission to improve maternal and neonatal health through sustainable and participatory means and cannot wait to partner with communities to ensure all mothers and their babies have the basic right to life.” Apart from her passion for public health she enjoys the outdoors, playing soccer, swimming, baking, and the company of good friends and family.

Honoring Your Mom this Mother's Day: Save a Life

Mother's Day is right around the corner, and we have a special opportunity for you. What better gift to get the special women in your life than one that saves another mother's life in the process? You choose one of two gifts and SAFE sends it to your loved one(s). You get your shopping done, and all the proceeds go to transporting women in labor between their rural village homes and their health facilities to ensure that they can deliver safely! Without these contributions, many of the women wouldn't be able to afford the transport, and would have to deliver at home in unsafe conditions.

Check out the gifts below!

International Women's Day 2013!!

International Women's Day 2013 was celebrated in style in Bukoteka, Uganda! Nine of the SAFE-affiliated community groups worked with SAFE leadership to plan a huge celebration. The day featured educational dramas and songs about safe motherhood and family planning (in their words, "safe mothers, safe babies"), immunizations, HIV testing (40 tests--all negative!), malaria testing and treatment, and prenatal care. In all, more than 100 people received care, and between 300 and 400 attended the event to celebrate women and their contributions to the local community. Check out the video and pictures below for more information!

Lighting the Way in Uganda

SAFE Founding President and CEO, Jacquie Cutts, taking about SAFE's work in Uganda to bring solar electricity to rural Ugandan health facilities in partnership with WE CARE Solar and their dynamite Solar Suitcase. No woman should die giving life!! Check it out (courtesy of Emory University).

New Women's Group Launch Has Record-Breaking Attendance!

On December 29th, 2012, Butende Women's Group had their official launch event. People turned out in record-breaking numbers--SAFE's staff counted at least 853 people! Events included educational dramas and songs (performed by MABEDA, BUBEDA, and Butende Women's Group), along with maternal and pediatric immunizations, malaria testing and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, general health visits, nutrition outreach, mosquito net distribution, malaria education, and sales of products produced by Butende. One group--MABEDA--charged admission to their performances for the first time, earning 95,000 shillings towards their group activities. Also of note, women from Butende Women's Group were interviewed about their work with SAFE, which aired four times on the radio on Sunday! Check out the photos below:

More than 850 people attended Butende's Launch Event.

Butende Women's Group introducing themselves to the community.

Butende Women's Group performing a song about health!

MABEDA (co-ed development association) performing a REALLY cool parlor trick on soda bottles.

Some of the items made by Butende members and eggplants grown in the SAFE-financed organic community gardens, all sold at the event to profit the new group.

Xylophone used in performances.

A member of the press (from UBC radio) bought one of Butende's baskets.

A Member of Parliament from Iganga town attended the event and donated 30,000 shillings plus 10 water basins and 4 pieces of fabric to Butende to help them get started. She also promised to help all community groups access district funds to continue in their quest to develop their communities, particularly in terms of maternal and child health.

Pregnant woman being immunized at health outreach.

Child being immunized at health outreach.

Support Medie's MPH Degree

Dear Friends of SAFE,

Many of you may know Mukalu Muhamed, (or Medie as he is affectionately known), SAFE's full-time Program Manager. Medie is responsible for the day-to-day execution, evaluation, and improvement of projects on the ground. He also facilitates our internship program, site visits, and other activities related to the complete functioning of the organization. Medie started out with SAFE first as a volunteer translator in 2008, then stepped into the role of full-time Program Manager in the summer of 2010.

Medie is one of the most dedicated maternal and child health advocates we have ever met, and we are thrilled to have him as part of the SAFE team. In true leader-like fashion, Medie would like to pursue his master’s degree, with a focus in maternal and child health, so that he can serve Ugandan communities even better. There is a program in Uganda called “Save the Mothers,” which will allow Medie to pursue his Master of Public Health Leadership with a focus in maternal and child health through Uganda Christian University. The program is specially designed for working professionals, and is structured into three 3-week modules per year for two years. 

SAFE would like to contribute to his education, as we know that he will return that contribution to Ugandan women and children ten-fold in the years to come. We invite you to join us in supporting Medie’s education, for the long-term development of maternal and child health in Uganda.

One semester's fees cost around $550, not including his school supplies and other pertinent costs. If you would like to contribute, please mail a check payable to Safe Mothers, Safe Babies with a note in the memo line that indicates its designation to Medie's school fees, to:

Safe Mothers, Safe Babies

P.O. Box 84 1516

Pearland, TX 77584

If you would like to make your contribution in honor of a loved one for the Holidays, please email info@safemotherssafebabies.org and let us know to whom you'd like us to send an honor card in your behalf.

Thank you for your continued support!

Save for SAFE Delivery: Launch Coming Soon!

One primary barrier to accessesing health care is lack of funds. While maternity care is supposed to be free in Uganda, shortages of supplies, sources of light, and transportation require that women and their families be able to purchase their own medical supplies (gloves, soap, razor to cut the cord, plastic sheeting to deliver on, IV and needle if fluids are required, sanitary pad), candles or paraffin (for a lantern), and public transportation to get to the hospital.

Enter Save for SAFE Delivery! A program devised by rural communities working with SAFE's Program Manager, Medie, Save for SAFE Delivery creates small wooden saving boxes that women can by from community civil society organizations. As soon as a woman knows she is pregnant (or decides she wants to get pregnant), she purchases a box at a cost of $0.37, (which is affordable), and then drops 100 shillings or $0.04US into the box every day. On average, she'll be able to save between $8 and $10USD by the time she delivers, which is enough to purchase the needed items, promoting the sustainability of other community projects, and more importantly, helping more women access timely medical care during pregnancy and delivery!!

Check out these photos, the program is being formally launched later this month!!

Community organizations painting the boxes blue to help them sell better.

Boxes have been constructed, moving to logo painting.

A male community member and civil society leader preparing to paint white onto the boxes.
We love when men are involved in supporting maternal health. Don't you!?!

Woman painting logo onto the boxes using a screen.

Finishing the first batch of boxes for one area.

Complete! "Pregnant women giving bank: Help families save funds for deliveries."