DGH is made up of hundreds of volunteers working in their own communities and around the world to promote health and other human rights. Here are some of the smaller-scale projects being supported, organized and/or staffed by DGH volunteers. May they inspire new uses of DGH resources in many other local communities. Send your ideas to projects@dghonline.org
Atlanta Alliances
DGH is a founding member of The Atlanta Alliance for Health and Human Rights. The Alliance, a working partnership of organizations and individuals concerned with promoting Health and Human Rights, was organized exclusively for cooperation in non-profit projects and for scientific and educational purposes. Its goal is to promote awareness of the interdependence of Health and Human Rights and promote actions on global and local issues that will improve both.
The Alliance is an informal organization still under construction. Its concept stemmed from a training class on Health and Human Rights conducted by late DGH Advisory Council member Dr. Jonathan Mann. That class was preceded by a lecture series coordinated by faculty and students from Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health and co-sponsored by various Atlanta-based Health and Human Rights-oriented organizations, including DGH.
Other groups represented in The Alliance include CARE, The Carter Center, Amnesty International, The Rollins School of Public Health, and the Task Force for Child Survival and Development. The Alliance hopes to help member groups gain synergy in identifying where Health and Human Rights intersect and to bring a human rights perspective to public health projects undertaken by any of them.
DGH at the Movies: The Long-haired Warriors
On July 20th The Long-haired Warriors, a 60-minute documentary about Vietnamese women who were soldiers and prisoners of war during the American war in Vietnam, will be screened in Salt Lake City. The screening will be held at the Brewvies, a private local theatre. All donations and tickets sales will go directly to help women in Vietnam who were affected by the war either medically or economically. Mel Halbach, the film’s Producer, asked for DGH’s sponsorship. He feels DGH’s support will lend credibility to the event and enable him to arrange a special non-profit rate from the theater. DGH is proud to assist this worthy endeavor. For more information, you can e-mail Halbach at mccmh@business.utah.edu and read some reviews of the film at www.coastnet.com/~cinevic/docs99.html and members.iinet.net.au/~dakota/prog.htm.
"Charlando"
in NYC
DGH volunteers in New York City have been organizing Charlas, or workshops, for the Centro de Educación de Trabajadores (Center for the Education of Workers). This non-profit group teaches English as a Second Language and basic computer skills to new immigrants in the hopes of improving their job prospects and helping them make a dignified life for themselves in the US. Most of the students at the Centro are Spanish speakers from Latin America. Others are French speakers from various African nations. There are also a few Asians and Indians. The Charlas are done in both Spanish and English simultaneously. They offer basics on health topics of concern to this population. Andrew Schiavoni (who also managed a little French) gave the first Charla on how to access the health care system, covering everything from public hospitals to the use of emergency rooms. Guillermo Hidalgo, MD, spoke about nutrition, focusing on the change in diet that occurs upon moving to the US, the weight gain that usually follows and the health problems that can create. Future Charlas will cover mental health and work-related health problems.
Physical Rehabilitation
DGH is working with the Centro de Rehabilitación, a rehabilitation project in some repopulated communities of central El Salvador. It was founded eight years ago, and continues to be run, by a physical therapist from Oregon. Under the guidance of a Salvadoran Rehabilitation Health Promoter she trained and in coordination with other Salvadorans, including a visiting psychologist, these communities now enjoy several rehabilitation programs. The Centro treats clients every weekday and opens its doors on the weekends for those—mostly children—on its Respiratory Treatment plan or for Emergency situations.
DGH recently got a special request for a blind member of the community, Alonso, who is in need of some supplies: Any Braille literature in Spanish (he learned to read Braille in Cuba), a Braille watch (his broke a long time ago), and some playing cards with Braille. We are told that Alonso is very special and quite an inspiration to all at the Centro. He plants his own corn and bananas, with a little help from his wife. He is very independent and a good father to his two little daughters. Contact the DGH office if you have anything to donate.
