Duke Undergraduates Dillon Barron, Lisa Deng, Neha Limaye, and Julie Segner have been in Naama, Uganda for two weeks. This is the second year in a row a team of Duke students has traveled to this small Ugandan village to conduct health assessments, and provide health education classes to school children. 

 

So far on their journey they have taken Luganda lessons, one of the official languages of Uganda, so they'll have basic conversational skills for the encounters with the children and teachers at the school. 

 

"We finally start teaching tomorrow, which is very exciting!," said Limaye.  "We will be doing an introductory icebreaker and our lesson on basic hygiene. We will also have music classes with health-related songs. On Wednesday, we will be meeting with the teachers to identify one teacher who will oversee the garden, and one who can direct vocational training."

 

Meanwhile, Limaye and Deng are learning how to build a "tippy tap," a basic hand washing station to be installed at Naama school.  

 

In two short weeks, the group has made great strides, and is even planning to set up a health fair at the end of June.  The health fair will include HIV testing, health speakers, and a local drama troupe performance.   

Barron and Segner are surveying the community and establishing contacts with other groups and organizations in the area.  In order to prepare for the adult education classes, Segner and Barron have met with discussion groups to see the best dates and manner of teaching these. 

 

As their time in Uganda moves forward this group will be working more on educating the schools and surveying communities.

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Dozens of Duke students are participating in research and service projects abroad this summer.  Look for a different project featured in this space in each issue.

More than 65 Duke faculty from many disciplines, first and second year medical students, and administrators participated in the first Faculty/Medical Student Mixer in the Duke Gardens Tuesday evening. Spearheaded by the Global Health Interest Group led by first year medical students Julian Hertz, Shahrzad Joharifard, Scott Nabity, and second year Timmy Bouley, the event provided an opportunity for medical students to connect with faculty conducting research abroad.

 

Duke Chancellor of Health Affairs Victor Dzau spoke briefly about the pride he feels in the global health work Duke is undertaking. 

 

"I've been drinking the Kool-Aid of global health," Dzau said.  He continued by offering medical students his full support to expand their training and experience at Duke to include opportunities in global health.

 

DGHI Director Mike Merson noted that one-third of Duke's first year medical students have indicated a desire to participate in global health projects during their third year of medical school.

 

To learn more about DGHI's Third-year Global Health Study Program, click here.

"President Obama is going to have to lay out some actionable plans with a clear time-line for carrying them through with regard to withdrawal from Iraq, the Middle East peace process and engagement with Muslims worldwide," said Jen'nan Read, an associate professor of sociology and global health at Duke.  Read more >>

• Program Manager (Associate in Research)
• Program Assistant (Associate in Research)

Overseas Lecturer in Health Economics and Policy
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine



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