Uganda Village Project

Education
We educate our village communities about the importance of safe water in a variety of ways.  We hold village outreaches about the importance of gathering water from clean water sources (even if it means a longer walk to the source), and importance of treating, or at least boiling water intended for consumption.  We also educate villagers about the nature and danger of water-borne diseases contracted by drinking contaminated water.  We may also bring in local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to do educational performances or outreaches about safe water. In addition to safe water information, we educate communities on sanitation best practices, including handwashing and proper sanitation facilities such as a latrine and garbage pit. These sanitation facilities do not only reduce the burden of diarrheal disease, but also reduce mosquito breeding grounds, helping to combat malaria. We conduct house-to-house visits where we address misconceptions and provide consultation on best practices based on a family's unique situation.

Throughout the years that we work in a village, UVP continues to facilitate safe water outreaches. Village Health Teams also continue to sensitize the community about the dangers of contaminated water, and how to best treat (http://www.ugandavillageproject.org/what-we-do/safe-water/safe-water-systems/)  water for consumption.

Virtually unheard of in wealthier nations, obstetric fistula is an affliction of the very poor, and is predominantly caused by neglected, obstructed labor. The result is a severe medical condition in which a hole (fistula) develops between either the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina, making women incontinent. Most women with fistula are isolated from family, society, and employment.

Though a simple surgical repair can mend most cases of obstetric fistula, most women go untreated, afraid to admit to the condition or too poor to afford the repair.

We working to spread awareness and combat misconception about fistula through birth attendant education, community educational outreaches, and community drama group performances about fistula. Drama groups are a natural source for education on health issues, and are commonly utilized by Ugandan village communities.

In order to repair women with fistula, we partner with a UK-based organization called Uganda Childbirth Injuries Fund. We first identify women with obstetric fistula though a number of avenues – village outreaches, health center referrals, radio shows, and simple word-of-mouth between women. We then transport women three times a year to "repair camps” at Kamuli Mission Hospital, where they are repaired by surgeons from Uganda Childbirth Injuries Fund. In Uganda, all hospital patients must arrive with a friend to feed, attend and nurse them, and so we also transport one attendant for each patient.