Reproductive Rights

Submitted by periclean2012 on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 21:57

the problem:

We stood outside a padlocked, whitewashed government hospital on the outskirts of Naigaon, a remote village in rural India.

The building, about the size of a three-car garage, was small and box-shaped with barred windows and, by all appearances, abandoned. In an area where these state-run hospitals are plenty in number, they offer little to the people who live there. The building was empty.

"They've never seen a doctor here," said Jayesh, one of the staff members at the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), a nongovernmental organization headquartered in nearby Jamkhed, where we were staying.

That was during a trip my classmates and I made last year to work with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Jamkhed, India. Through the Periclean Scholars program at Elon University, we're creating a feature-length movie that delves into the subject of health care in rural India. It's at once a piece about the country and its complexity, but it's also about health care troubles in the developing world. The deficiencies in government health services force organizations like CRHP to come in and teach villagers about sustainable health care, providing them with health services and knowledge they would otherwise lack access too.

The film looks into how the health care system in India has left people behind — and the alternatives that try to address this. Health care in India is an important topic to explore for several reasons:

- India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world by its public
health spending is ranked at 171 on a list of 175 countries
- Malnutrition, neonatal diseases, diarrhoea and pneumonia are the major
causes of death for children in India
- India has 0.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people compared with a global average
of 4
- The national mortality rate for under-fives in the poorest fifth of the
population is 92 in 1,000 compared with 33 for the highest fifth
- Only about 50 million middle-class Indians can afford private health care

This documentary aims to tell the story of India's poor and their struggle to access quality health care.

The first step toward change is to make people aware of the issue and of alternatives that exist to provide health care to those who fall through the cracks of state systems. Through this documentary we hope to raise awareness about the issue in India and to start a conversation about ensuring access to quality health care for poor communities world wide.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

As part of an organization called Periclean Scholars (for more info check out the elevator speech video below) we've spent the last three years studying India, its history and social issues in the country. Several of us from our organization have had the opportunity to travel to India and partner with individuals and organizations there, learning about their experiences and brainstorming pathways for sustainable change. This documentary is an outgrowth of everything we've learned and experienced.

"Health for All" will encompass complicated issues like the rights of health care and role of nonprofits, while centering around one simple point: people in poverty don't have access to basic care. The documentary aims to educate the general public as well as politicians and health care providers about the issues. We hope that it will raise questions about the access that poor communities have to quality health care world wide, and through education and increased awareness act as a catalyst for positive change.

By focusing on three different types of alternative systems in three different regions we're aiming to demonstrate various solutions and how they play out in different rural and urban settings. Viewers will see footage from a social business, a non-profit, a public-private partnership and a government hospital, all striving to provide health care services in various ways. Scenes cover thousands of miles, dozens of communities and four different languages. The documentary will demonstrate that there are no simple solutions, but there are concrete ways that individuals and organizations can work toward ensuring better health for all.

the plan of action:

As a documentary team, we're making a film that follows three different organizations as they pursue this idea of health for all. One of the organizations is in rural Maharashtra, working with impoverished villagers; another is based in the slums of Bombay; and a third is on the outskirts of Hyderabad. We need some point of comparison for these alternative systems, so we've also highlighted a government hospital in Delhi.

For the month of January we were in India shooting the documentary. We shot in Bombay for 5 days at a social business, Hyderabad for 4 days at a government-supported commission on rural poverty, and a nonprofit in rural Maharashtra for about a week. We also got footage in Pune, and we spent the last 4 days shooting at a government hospital in Delhi.

We returned to North Carolina with hours upon hours of B-roll and interviews and with an even greater understanding of the depth and complexity of the issue. The next few months will be spent writing, editing and producing the film, keeping in mind what we've learned and comparing it with the extensive background research we've done on the topic. The team currently working on making this project a reality includes directors, producers, writers, editors, researchers, editors, audio techs, a composer, artists, fact-checkers, translators and donors. There are dozens of students, professors and professionals involved in this project, each of us with a growing passion to share what we've learned about this issue with others. We plan to screen the documentary publicly both in the US and in India, to submit it to film festivals and to allow it to be used as an educational resource.

how you can get involved:

Join our pursuit of better health for all by informing yourself more about the situation of those who don't have access to quality health care in your community, and around the world. Check out the organizations that we showcased as alternatives and consider supporting their work in India as well:
www.jamkhed.org
www.swasthindia.in
www.serp.ap.gov.in
Let us know as if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the documentary. We would love to hear from you.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by FullCirclesFoun... on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 15:35

the problem:

Full Circles Foundation aims to grow "strong girls, a fair economy, and a healthy earth" in the Southeastern United States. Put another way, we seek to advance the interconnected goals of of girls' empowerment, economic justice, and environmental health.

Our mission of "growing strong girls" aims to forward solutions to the challenges of women's health, violence against women, and low civic efficacy among women.

Our mission of "growing a fair economy" aims to forward solutions to the problems of structural poverty and racial and gender wealth disparities.

Our mission of "growing a healthy earth" aims to forward solutions to the problems of environmental illiteracy and environmental destruction and degradation.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

Our vision is to provide a holistic, collaborative, long-term, multi-intervention empowerment track for girls who have high potential but who are facing big obstacles. Over the course of thirteen years (K-12), FCF girls will be paced through a series of community-powered, best-practice programs, including summer camps, afterschool opportunities, apprenticeships, civic engagement training, and hands-on microventure experiences.

In 2011, Full Circles Foundation launched our pilot project in Raleigh, North Carolina - a series of community-powered summer camps, The Strong Camps. The Strong Camps included Strong Self Camp, Strong Neighbor Camp, and Strong Home Camp; they emphasized the connections between personal, community, and environmental health. This strategy is called "intertasking" - that is, accomplishing multiple goals with one action.

the plan of action:

In 2012, Full Circles Foundation aims to hold the second Strong Camp series in Raleigh, and to launch another pilot in Lexington, Kentucky. These two programs will reach at least 70 girls. We also hope to launch the Green Apprentice in Raleigh, an apprentice program that will pair middle and high school participants with local women artisans and entrepreneurs.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by josh_sg1 on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 14:36

the problem:

I would like to make a universal paradise for everyone on the Planet through Investing and Inventing Technology and Extreme Science Advancements in Nano Technology that can do anything you can imagine, solve all your problems in any, create practically invincible anything, etc...

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

I want to do it as I want to do something, anything to get the technology I want.

the plan of action:

I would like to create some inventions I design. I would like to do college, I want to be there to know graphic design and make money to invest with. There are small projects I can do with small amounts of money and there are large projects with a lot of money. Example: A Nano Technologically advanced Volumetric Molecular Scanner that can scan something and make a digitally programmed 3d working copy of it can work with a nano machine with a compupter where you can do anything you want to it instantly. That includes people, objects, items, anything you can think of, completely stop the need for farms and animals farming as all the acids and minerals can be practically instantly printed off a computer with this. I like to think it would cost around $990 Billion USD to design the Scanner. With the Scanner, it can be designed quickly and distributed everywhere. I am the only person in the universe that I know of actually doing something about it.

What I would like to do to make the money is make a Electric Generator that creates its own electricity to power things like helicopters and jets. I already design it and I can talk to engineers that can make it although it would be a hard concept as anyone I explain it to that thinks they know how to do it greater would just do it themselves, take small amounts of investment and the money that would be needed for the scanner would be distributed to lots of people at large companies an they wouldn't do anything to design the scanner. I would like to think that I would need more power from the electric generator as a idea to make people want to buy it. I design a lot of inventions and I can make designs and everything I would need to show engineers how to design them. The electric generator I design is about less than $100.00 in resources, and is less than a few LB's. It is in the shape of a acorn. I call it the Acorn. It is not all about the generator's. I design a lot of inventions and a lot of ideas, companies, etc... that are all amaing and I would like to think that people are interested in what I am interested in though I would like to be around people like that in college environment's.

how you can get involved:

People can work with me on project's and make money. People can invest with the company too.

project updates:

Submitted by lbfinley on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 18:50

Check out our videos!

the problem:

I want to raise awareness for the pain people have. The pain people have cause them to hurt others, surround themselves with those that inflict pain on others or feel lost. They can experience beauty from pain. They can be beautiful people. They can have a positive outlet. All they need is encouragement.

vital stats:

people impacted:

326

people involved:

why it's important:

I was abused for many years and I know the feeling. It is the worst kind and I can't imagine sitting back and not trying to change it. People can be happy. I just want others to know with creativity in writing, drawing, building etc that they can find a way to channel the hurt. We have staff that reach out by writing their stories to to help others.

the plan of action:

I created a website with a blog. I began blogging my story and volunteering at churchs to spread the word. I began social networking as well. I started getting emails of people that were touched and wanted to involved. It spiraled into more then I thought possible. Suddenly we are hosting events, fundraisers, and drives. The response has been phenominal

how you can get involved:

Read our blog or become a part of our volunteer staff and write and edit blog post; help write a story for our book we ae writing, donate, buy our merchandise to support us, fundraise for our cause, and spread the word!

project updates:

01/11/2012

Update:

We have just partnered with Do Something and My Beauty From Pain has a do something club.

Photos:

videos:

Submitted by justindrwencke on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 19:55

the problem:

MBLGTACC 2013 seeks to bring together LGBTA-identified college students from around the nation to discuss issues surrounding sexuality and gender in multiple spheres.

vital stats:

people impacted:

2,000

people involved:

why it's important:

As someone who is LGBTA-identified, going to this conference in the past helped me learn how I can take action and change my world.

the plan of action:

To bring 3 keynote speakers, 60+ workshops, and 2,000-3,000 LGBTA-identified college students together in an environment that promotes sharing and learning. 2013 will be the 20th anniversary of the conference, which has helped 800-2000 students every year since 1993

how you can get involved:

Attend the conference, volunteer, donate money

project updates:

Submitted by phs.botball on Sun, 12/18/2011 - 14:10

the problem:

We are spreading awareness about different worldwide problems by participating in this competition which has its course based off of worldwide problems. By participating, we are promoting this competition and inspiring others to join through our performance.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

This competition is very important to me because it covers areas of work in my ideal future career. There are also many environmental problems where I felt that more should be cone, and this competition promotes actions to solve these problems by spreading awareness.

the plan of action:

We Will attend a Botball Training meeting and meet every Saturday to work on our robot for the competition.

how you can get involved:

They can start Botball teams of their own and participate in this competition.

project updates:

Submitted by Lifted Hands on Thu, 12/08/2011 - 14:13

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Lifted Hands (a faith-based outreach organization) is sending out an “SIS” for service to people around this world to elevate the priority that service has in their lives. It doesn’t cost a thing! The SERVICE IS SIMPLE Campaign strives to help people begin to lead lives of service each and every day. The campaign runs 12 weeks (11/11/11 – 2/2/12). We're asking 100,000 people worldwide to stand up and say “I’m a servant!” This is a great way to end the year strong and begin the new year on the right foot.

We'll be sending out (join email list below)/posting weekly thoughts on how you can incorporate SIMPLE acts of service into your week.

www.facebook.com/serviceissimple
www.twitter.com/serviceissimple
Join Email List - https://serviceissimple.wufoo.com/forms/...

You'll be able to post video and notes about how what you are doing is making a difference.

Please help us to meet that 100,000 mark by sharing this link and the information with your friends and family. This only works if you are added to the number and help us spread the word! We can change the world one act of kindness at a time.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

Getting people to serve in their daily lives.

the plan of action:

We would like to get 100,000 people worldwide to say "I am a servant!" by joining us by making this pledge online.

how you can get involved:

Join the pledge at www.pledgebank.com/serviceissimple and help us by spreading the word through email, Facebook, and Twitter.

project updates:

videos:

Should iPhones be able to locate abortion clinics?

Submitted by jkultgen on Thu, 12/01/2011 - 15:21

Should teens be able to date older men and women?

Submitted by Teresa.Roca on Fri, 11/04/2011 - 13:03

Submitted by tasmiah90 on Sat, 10/22/2011 - 21:46

the problem:

With a population of over a 150 million spanning 134,000 sq km, the population density in Bangladesh is more than 1,100 people per square kilometer. Approximately 70% of the population resides in slums, where the rapid spread of communicable diseases is a constant threat. A key factor is poor sanitation, which leads to diarrhea and other symptoms of parasitic disease. Because the vast majority of slum inhabitants are uneducated, knowledge of sanitation practices is nearly absent.
The lack of waste management is also a major issue in the slums, since it leads to health hazards. In addition, menstrual hygiene for women in slums is nonexistent; they not only lack the privacy to properly wash and dry menstrual rags but they also use wet rags for this purpose, often resulting in infection. Due to bacteria-laden surface water and arsenic contaminated groundwater, Bangladesh is a country where water-related illnesses are rampant, and diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid are commonplace, affecting thousands annually. Seeing this dire need, this I began an innovative approach towards improving water availability, accessibility, and sanitation through education in the slum of Ward 12 of Khalishpur, in Khulna, Bangladesh.

vital stats:

people impacted:

5,569

people involved:

why it's important:

Currently, 99.9 million people have no access to proper sanitation and 31 million people do not have clean water. I saw glimpse of these numbers after an impromptu internship I had in one of the poorest slums in Bangladesh. After spending ample time with the women and children in the area, I felt it was incumbent on me nurture these relationships. While I discussed many health interventions for them, they told me they would be happy to implement what they had learned--if they had the means to. One young lady, Asma, 15, invited me to her house; she held my hand tightly and told me how they have had people come to their abode before but never returned. She asked if I would come again; as I looked into her calm, dark brown eyes I knew I had a duty to be fulfilled to her and the community.

As I returned to the US, Brighter Dawns, non-profit, with the mission to improve slum conditions was formed. The first project would be to provide increased access to safe sanitation. My passion intertwined with firm resolve to spread awareness of the need for clean water and sanitation instruction in Khalishpur to other circles of society has been rapidly progressing ever since. I’ve already brought together a diverse and committed group of individuals to help us reach our goals.

My recent experience in Bangladesh, has strongly informed my sense of self and sense of duty. It is through our efforts that the arena of public health and developing young leaders will help combat the many disparities of today, whether locally or abroad, for a brighter tomorrow. With strong faith, persistence, and dedication, these achievements have fueled my desire to constantly move forward and make a difference in the world.

the plan of action:

The goal of Brighter Dawns’ first project was to provide a holistic approach to the sanitation crisis for the people in one of the poorest and largest slums in Khalishpur, Khulna known as Ward 12. To do this, Brighter Dawns established 15 tube wells, 20 latrines, 1000 sanitary kits, which included two bars of soap, cleaning tablets, and sanitary napkins for women; in addition, approximately seven women were provided jobs, with three women being primary contacts in the largest regions, where they facilitated the discussions and seminars on the importance of engagement in safe sanitation practices to the greater community.
The project had a budget of over $10,000; with the receipt of a grant much of this cost was alleviated. This grant served as an impetus for Brighter Dawns to receive more funding. In total, within less than a year, we raised over $15, 329.

All products (latrine/well parts, soap, cleaning agents) will be purchased within the vicinity of the project area, it not only gave the shop keepers and laborers a stimulus in their businesses but allow them improve their economic conditions. Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of this project involves the empowerment of women. It is usually the case that divorced and widowed women have no means of income. Since women are the responsibility of men, having no male figure in the household is often destabilizing. To resolve this issue, this project enabled the creation of jobs for women. They went through rigorous training and interrogation before selected to their current posts. I deemed to this to be the most effective route as it would allow these women to return back to the community and relay what was learned and attempt to oversee what is going on. It would be foolish to bring an outsider to amend their ways; for it would certainly be a challenge to gauge whether or not the information is absorbed, retained, and implemented by the greater community. While I will have the fortune to interact with the chosen community and be able to deliver multiple seminars in various locations, witnessing the direct effects of community learning and involvement will have a separate outcome; and this will be facilitated by the women community workers in conjunction with committee formed to help oversee the overall project for its duration.

how you can get involved:

Learning about the slum conditions in Bangladesh is always the first step; however, we welcome the initiation of other Brighter Dawns Chapters. Contact us at improve@brighterdawns.org if you're interested!
Also follow us on Twitter@BrighterDawns and LIKE us on www.facebook.com/BrighterDawns to get real-time updates!

Any type of service/in-kind donations and financial contributions are always welcome. We strongly believe that through local action, we can impact global change and anyone can help!