Clinical Service Work and Women's Health Conference

One of COHI's ongoing projects is a partnership with a local women's health organization called FLEMAFA in Kisarawe, Tanzania. In a region that often lacks even the most basic health care resources, COHI provides technical training on neonatal health, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence to FLEMAFA's dedicated staff of women's health practitioners, along with fundraising and capacity-building support. Last summer, COHI brought a global team of women's health professionals to Kisarawe for a week of training, workshops, and service work. The week was capped off by a women's health conference that included participants from every level of Tanzania's government and health care communities.

Mindy Levy, Israel, COHI field volunteer demonstrating informed consent before a pelvic exam during a training in rural clinic in Kisarawe District, Summer 2007

Today, I am excited to announce our second annual COHI/FLEMAFA week of clinical service work and women's health summit, to be held August 17-24 in Kisarawe. We are planning to take a group of 10 women's health professionals to the region in order to provide basic, hands-on training on issues surrounding women's reproductive health and neonatal health care.

We also seek to raise $100,000 to support COHI's and FLEMAFA's ongoing partnership. As part of our fundraising effort, we are asking participants to pay $3500, and strongly encouraging them to raise an additional $1500. These funds will cover all in-country meals, travel, and accommodation, medical materials and equipment purchases, and COHI staff costs.

If this opportunity interests you, we encourage you to apply! Please send a CV and statement of interest to mbieber[at]cohintl.org by March 21st. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact me with questions, and be sure to visit here to read our 2007 Project Report and a summary of last year's trip.

Tanzanian traditional birth attendants

And of course, if this trip isn't right for you, that's okay. But we still need your support, so please make a donation here.

Yours sincerely,

Matt Bieber
COHI Tanzania Trip Coordinator
mbieber[at]cohintl.org

Circle of Health International is a 501c3 nonprofit organization supporting the empowerment of conflict- and disaster-affected women through the provision of women's health initiatives. Learn more and get involved at www.cohintl.org.