Jump-start to the Year with PHASE

This week during our GhU information session we discussed what it means to have a successful partnership. GlobeMed defines a successful partnership in several ways: mutual respect among all actors, the community at the center of the system, open communication between all actors, and common vision for and measurement of success among other central goals. As a GlobeMed chapter we discussed what it means to us to have a successful partnership with PHASE Nepal, that benefits both ourselves as a chapter and benefit the communities in Nepal in a meaningful way. We aim to work together with PHASE in order to help them meet their goals all while achieving our fundraising aims and objectives of raising awareness within the Tufts community. This means a continual process of assessing what our needs are and how we can benefit PHASE Nepal in the most meaningful way. For this year, this means a fundraising goal of 10,000 dollars, which will go towards educational supplies for PHASE Nepal, and the communities they work in. For example, creating programs that work towards getting students to think creatively and critically instead of simply memorizing words and facts.

Adrienne Caldwell is a sophomore majoring in Biology and Psychology.  She is a member of the Communications Team.  

We’re proud to announce our fundraising goal: 18 Solar Panels for Bayalpata Hospital!

After careful deliberation with our partner, http://www.nyayahealth.org/, GlobeMed at Tufts has decided on a fundraising goal for the 2012-2013 school year. We are excited to announce that we will be working towards funding 18 solar panels for the Bayalpata Hospital, located in far western Nepal. Each solar panel will cost $360, brining our fundraising dollar amount to $6480.00, according to GlobeMed’s Memorandum of Understanding. These solar panels are essential to phase II of Nyaya Health’s solar energy system.

Why Energy?

Nyaya needs power. In January 2011, before phase I of the solar energy system was installed, the Bayalpata Hospital was connected to the public grid, operating about 30% of working hours, and used a generator as back up. This summer, GlobeMed’s GROW interns, David and Laura, experienced first hand the serious implications lack of power can have on a hospital’s ability to provide care.  They witnessed many tragedies that could have been avoided if the hospital had simply had more energy. For example, one new-born suffered due to lack of oxygen. The oxygen tank was there. The doctor with knowledge to operate it was there. The power was out.

Why Solar?

Because the infrastructure is still developing in far-western Nepal, traditional sources to electricity are rare. For this reason, Nyaya Health chose to implement an independent and long-term solution: a solar energy system. This solar energy system will support Bayalpata’s critical need for power. Additionally, Nyaya recognizes that, as a renewable energy source, solar energy will have long-term positive impacts on public health.  Please visit Nyaya’s wiki for more information about their solar energy project.

Information compiled from: http://wiki.nyayahealth.org/w/page/51049248/Solar%20Energy%20at%20Bayalpata%20Hospital

Call to Action: Please check out our calendar and attend our campaign events around the Tufts campus!