2014 Awards

Kibale EcoHealth Project

Who:  Sarah Paige

Project:  The Kibale EcoHealth Project is a long-term, community-based disease ecology research project located in western Uganda. We are a highly interdisciplinary research team; comprised of over 30 scholars from around the world, we collaboratively design ways of investigating the complex and intertwined ecological and social drivers of cross-species disease exchange.

2013 Awards

Village Health Project and Community Based Integrated Nutrition

WHO: Mollie Overby, Kim Isely, Tae-Young Nam, Yejin Eun

PROJECT: VHP is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a registered student organization at the University of Wisconsin -Madison, though we do not receive funds from the university. The members of VHP work together and choose their own area of expertise to promote projects, fundraise and educate.

VHP started in January of 2005 when fourteen UW-Madison students studied abroad in Uganda , a small country in eastern Africa filled with beautiful landscapes and beautiful people. This study abroad experience not only opened their eyes to a rich culture and history, but also to the many problems in a low-income country. The necessities that one may take for granted, such as clean drinking water, food security, and physician availability, are daily struggles for the majority of Ugandan citizens.

Our goals are to continue bringing clean water to those in Uganda and educating the populace in Uganda and Madison about the importance of clean water and nutrition. VHP’s model emphasizes engagement and solidarity from Wisconsin. Members contribute by raising funds to support CoBIN through fundraisers and grant writing. Though travel to Uganda is encouraged to fully understand our mission and projects, this is not the purpose of VHP.

While our expertise is support from Wisconsin, the CoBIN staff has the local knowledge to identify and implement projects to improve access to clean water and community nutrition. Out of passion and educational skills we are able to work together to provide a service to communities in Lyantonde and Kiruhura districts. Communication lines are maintained through project proposal forms and requests for funding from CoBIN. We also strive to keep open, honest communication so we can work together to improve our projects.

Village Health Project in collaboration with CoBIN has built and distributed 50 biosand water filters, 14 rain water collection tanks which are being shared by over 300 hundred people who now have access to clean water and have reduced the rate of malnourished children entering the Lyantonde Hospital by 88% (from an average of 25 a month to an average of 3 a month!). The evaluation project conducted in the winter of 2011, showed the students that VHP was making a significant change in the lives of the Ugandans, while being an ocean away. That change has not only become a huge source of pride, but an incredibly humbling experience for every student putting their efforts towards the Village Health Project. While working with VHP students are able to learn about intersectionality of problems surrounding health, nutrition and access to clean water. They also gain experience working with an NGO and community partner abroad.

What’s gained?

  • Students gain experience working with an NGO including ethical issues and the importance of respectful partnership, learn about collaboration over a long distance and health and surrounding issues in Uganda.
  • Students are able to use their skills to support an international partner while in Madison.
  • CoBIN receives support and funding to implement projects and maintain the organization.
  • The community receives services and support from CoBIN.