This summer, IDCE Professor Marianne Sarkis and three graduate students from the International Development and Social Change program will be traveling to Kenya on behalf of the Worcester organization UHAI to conduct screenings for chronic diseases (blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, postpartum care, cervical cancer, and to dispense medications and make referrals to local health clinics and hospitals.
The team will be traveling to five different villages in from May 23-27 (Komothai Village in Githunguri, Ndeiya Village in Limuru, Muthaara village in Thika, Samata Village in Nyahururu, and Ngachura Village in Nakuru).
Team members will be hosted by community members for the majority of the project. The IDCE team will help with screenings, data entry, outreach to the community, and health education.
UHAI and the Kenya trip have recently gotten some coverage in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, which printed a story about UHAI’s recent African Women’s Health Fair held in Worcester earlier in April. The article goes into depth about UHAI’s mission and its work in the Worcester community promoting African women’s health for recent immigrants who are adapting to the new culture, foods, and health concerns.
In addition to Clark IDCE, UHAI partners with Worcester Healthy Start, WIC, College of the Holy Cross, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Akwaaba Free Clinic, Worcester Family Partnerships, Fairbridge International and Women’s Health of Central Massachusetts to provide resources.
