When opportunity knocks...

                First, I must take the opportunity to introduce the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that has been gracious enough to host me here in Uganda for six months, the African Medical and Research Foundation, here on in, referred to as AMREF. AMREF is one of the most proactive, forward-thinking African NGO’s and is unique in its organizational structure in that a great majority of staff members are located in the countries in which they serve. AMREF is present in seven countries in Eastern and Southern Africa: Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and of course, right here in Uganda. Twelve international headquarters also exists throughout North America and Europe, all with the shared vision, “Better health for the people of Africa”.

                 I find myself drawn to AMREF for their holistic idealisms and grassroots initiatives that focus on improving health systems as a whole. The goal of each program revolves around capacity building, advocacy and empowerment at all levels from district to village. The communities in which AMREF functions are essentially responsible for identifying their own strengths, weaknesses and needs, promoting local ownership of initiatives leading to effective programming. Priorities and resources are allocated in areas of greatest need and those most vulnerable are targeted, namely women and children five years old and under.

African Medical and Research Foundation
African Medical and Reseach Foundation- Canada

                I certainly encourage you to learn more by visiting the links that I have posted to the left. I will be using this blog as a means to communicate with you, offering weekly reflections and questions that have resulted. At anytime, feel free to post comments and leave your email address if you would like my response. I hope you enjoy the posts and share your insight and wisdom with other readers.