Who We Are // GlobeMed at Middlebury College

Founded in 2008, GlobeMed at Middlebury College is one of 32 GlobeMed chapters working to improve the health of people living in poverty around the world. We partner with the Africa 2000 Network, a health and development NGO that works in poor farming communities throughout Uganda. Together, we support programs that bring high-quality health education and agricultural training to these communities, ensuring that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to support their families and live a healthy life.

Our Partner // Africa 2000 Network in Tororo, Uganda

A2N-Uganda is dedicated to contributing to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger in Uganda. They aim to accomplish this change by shifting household reliance on subsistence farming to agricultural models that are sustainable, ecologically viable and economically rewarding. Because agriculture is the main source of nutrition and income for many rural Ugandans, improving agricultural efficiency can transform the lives and health of poor families.

By coupling agrigultural training with health education and grassroots community involvement, the organization aims to improve health and save lives in Uganda's poorest communities. Though founded in Kampala in 2009, A2N-Uganda now works throughout the country, in Hoima, Iganga, Kabale, Kamuli, Kisoro, Tororo and Kitgum. Check out A2N's website to learn more about their incredible work!

Our Project // $5,000 for Innovative Village Information Centers

GlobeMed at Middlebury College is working around Tororo, Uganda to increase access to and utilization of Village Information Centers (VICs), a concept developed by A2N-Uganda. Such centers provide vital education on health, market price, and agricultural information to the community thorugh a Local Information Facilitator. Specific health education is focused on HIV/AIDS, sexual health, child health, nutrition, vaccinations, sanitation and hygiene.

In 2009-2010, its founding year, GlobeMed at Middlebury began work on this project by supporting five VICs. It installed solar panel systems at two remote centers located in trading hubs where the community gathers at night. Electricity made the centers the focal point of the village, allowing access to information during the evening when the majority of the population gathered there.

This year, we are scaling our project, expanding our efforts to 11 other centers in the region. In its second year, GlobeMed at Middlebury College hopes to raise $5,000 to improve utilization of and access to new and existing village information centers in the communities surrounding Tororo. These village information centers provide information from NGOs to the local people to encourage best practices in agriculture, sanitation, and health. Specific improvements include:

•solar panels to provide electricity.

•cell phone charges as an external source of income.

•bicycles for A2N staff transportation.