Great Article about Product Design for Social Good

I just read a great article sent to me from my GHC mentor about product design and wanted to share: When Technology Flops: 6 Common Pitfalls for Product Design for Social Good

Pitfall #2 hit home for my project.

Pitfall #2: Using technology to solve a culture-based problem. Sometimes, the most fundamental issue isn’t tech-related. For instance, female infant mortality in many countries is largely the result of cultural value systems rather than lack of sufficient healthcare (although the latter is necessary as well). In these cases, well-designed medical devices aren’t going to solve the underlying problem of gender-based discrimination. Other forms of intervention are necessary for changing people’s mindsets.

Though there are many technologies that can and will help the health system in Tanzania, so much more work needs to be done that isn't based just in developing a technological platform or tool. Unfortunately, solving culture based problems requireschanging cultures which is often a much more difficult challenge to tackle with a more nebulous path towards a solution; especially when you don't know the culture you're trying to change that well in the first place.

Fortunately the Global Health Corps system for pairing local and American fellows has been incredibly helpful for navigating cultural issues and Goodluck and I are starting to see some real seeds of change.

Running Partner

I've been running on the beach by my house alone for a few months now. Goodluck has come with me maybe 2 times but most of the time I run alone and with my head phones in. Accordingly I expected running to be another way I'd feel isolated here. However, one of the main parts I've grown to love about the running is that even if you're running alone, it's social (especially on the beach in Kilwa).

There are not many other African's that run the beach other than a few boys on a local soccer team. But from about 5pm to 6:30pm each night people from the community come out to sit on the beach with friends and enjoy the sunset/twilight.

Being the Mzungu (word for white person in East Africa) I get plenty of stares but I say hi to everyone I pass and they smile and give me a thumbs up and a wave back. Sometimes I throw out a mambo vipi (what's up) and get a warm response. Sounds like nothing much but despite not being able to communicate, I've felt closest to the community when I run on the beach.

Today, a local man came out of no where and just started running next to me. I looked over at him and smiled and he nodded in acknowledgment and then we just ran in silence next to each other for the next 25 minutes. We passed a bunch of people on the beach but no one seemed to think it was odd that we were running together. I'm sure he just wanted to go for a run but because he chose to do it along side me I felt accepted.

It's hard to explain to some folks from home but living in a world as the "other" for the first time in my life has been harder than I thought it would be. But a simple experience like I had today becomes that much more meaningful.

Another Random Article about GHC

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-peppard04_0104gd.ART.State.Edition1.4bbbb44.html

We'll have some more interesting press stories coming out in the near future in some publications you probably won't expect :)

Great GHC Interview with CGIU

GHC staffer Dave Ryan caught up with the Clinton Global Initiative University team about what the GHC organization is doing to address health issues in both the developed and developing world.

See the article here.

Here's a sample from the article:

"There is a need for skilled professionals who can provide the services necessary to build and implement effective health systems. The young leaders who participate in Global Health Corps have experience in a range of fields, including technology, supply chain management, monitoring and evaluation, and program consulting. We place them in organizations where they can implement innovative strategies to build effective health systems. We also nurture them so they can explore careers in the health care field that fit their skills."

Update from Rwanda

Here's a quick video I made from the conference we had in Rwanda. As I say in the video, if you are interested or know anyone who is interested in applying for a Global Health Corps fellowship please leave a comment, contact me directly, or just check out the website for more information: http://apply.ghcorps.org/

Keeping Vaccines Cool

It's been far too long since I wrote up an update but the last month has been pretty busy. I just got back from a great mid year conference with the Africa based Global Health Corps fellow team that I'll write more about soon. But here's a quick video I made last month (before I cut my hair) about one of the basic, but vital challenges facing health facilities in Kilwa.