Read More - FGHL Blog: Katie Baker - Sun Safety for Kids: Farmers Market and Splash Day in East Tennessee
Since my last post, I have been very, very busy! First, the skin cancer prevention program I’m developing is really coming together. At this point, I have developed two of the four modules, completed a formal recording of “Sabrina’s Story,” a local melanoma survivor’s story, with the help of ETSU’s Communications Department, and scheduled meetings with each of our region’s eight county Health Councils as a way of disseminating the program once it’s complete. As I will be collecting baseline and posttest data from 135 students at David Crockett High School, the pilot site for the program, I will also begin the IRB (Institutional Review Board) application and approval process very soon.
Read More - FGHL Blog: Megan Quinn - Planting Gardens to Enhance Nutrition in Munsieville, South Africa
On Thursday July 14th, 74 individuals came together and made the decision to change their lives and end hunger, malnutrition, and poverty in Munsieville , South Africa by planting gardens. Many families in Munsieville struggle to have a well-balanced meal every day and building gardens will create a sustainable way to ensure that individuals do not have to go hungry. Further, vegetable gardens will help to fight malnutrition in the children of Munsieville. According to the World Health organization, malnutrition contributes to more than one third of all child deaths and can occur due to offering the wrong foods, inadequate breast feeding, and not ensuring that the child receives enough nutritious foods1. The people of Munsieville are going back to the soil to make sure their children and families are adequately fed and nourished.
Read More - NEW Brad Paisley Water=Hope Campaign PSA!

Brad Paisley talks about the importance of clean water for the 1 out of 7 people around the world who lacks access. Please join our Water=Hope campaign today at WaterEqualsHope.org. Donate $10 by texting H2O to 25383; you will receive a confirmation, reply YES. It really is that simple!

Read More - Clinton Bush Haiti Program Announces $1.8M to Strengthen Healthcare Sector
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC – The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund today announced a $1.8 million grant to the Boston-based nonprofit Partners In Health to support its Haitian sister organization Zanmi Lasante in a program that will make long-term, sustainable improvements in the scope and quality of Haiti’s healthcare and medical education sectors. The grant will be used to launch a residency program for family practice physicians and a certification program for auxiliary nurses at the public hospital in St. Marc supported by Partners In Health and Zanmi Lasante.
Read More - FGHL Blog: Karie Castle - Cleaning Creeks in Appalachia: For the Health of Communities, Environment
During the past month and a half, I have been working and an intern with the Boone Watershed Partnership, Inc. (BWP) a non-profit organization currently in the process of performing restoration projects on two creeks, Sinking Creek and Gap Creek. Sinking Creek is mainly located within Johnson City, while Gap Creek is located mainly in Elizabethton. Both creeks are an essential asset to these two Appalachian communities. Both of these creeks are on the 303(d) list, meaning that they are not capable of sustaining life. Sinking Creek has been put on the list due to E.Coli pollution, while Gap Creek’s main problem is sediment.
Read More - FGHL Blog: Twanda Wadlington - Celebrating Mandela Day in Munsieville
Today millions of people sung Happy Birthday to Former South African President, Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday. Now known as Mandel Day, July 18 is an international holiday adopted by the United Nations. July 18 is more than just a day to celebrate the anti-apartheid heroic leader’s birthday; this day is a global movement to commemorate his life’s work and honor Mr. Mandela’s legacy through an act of kindness – 67minutes to be exact. Sixty-seven minutes represents the number of years Mr. Mandela dedicated to ensure equality for South Africa, from 1942 until his retirement from public service in 2009.
Read More - FGHL Blog: Megan Quinn - ETSU Students in South Africa: Uplifting vulnerable children with aid and social support
During the last two weeks, my colleague, Twanda Wadlington and I have had the opportunity to collaborate with another local non-government organization (NGO) to implement a health promotion program during the winter school break. Legae La Bana (Home for the Children) is a local NGO focused on providing daily meals and social support to the orphaned and vulnerable (OVC) children in Munsieville. The program centered on health related issues, while incorporating team building, arts, sports, and academics. The program also assisted in identifying student leaders in the community that can assist with future Thoughtful Path projects.
Read More - Independence Day! Republic of South Sudan
This weekend marks the celebration of the independence of a new nation, the Republic of South Sudan. A close friend, Ken Isaacs, was there to witness the joy:

"Today the Republic of South Sudan declared its independence from Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of people were present as well as dozens of dignitaries and international representatives.

There were parades of the various military units of the South. Youth groups, wounded veterans, police corps and other citizen groups also marched past the grandstand.

I have never seen or experienced such joy in Sudan. People cheered as loud as thunder. They sang and cried with tears of joy."
Read More - FGHL Blog: Katie Baker - Healthy Eating for Cancer Survivors
Having reached the midpoint of my summer field experience, I can’t help but reflect on the past seven weeks and realize that this was the most ideal placement for me. The Tennessee Cancer Coalition (TC2), its members, and my supervisors have encouraged and supported me in my efforts to develop a comprehensive skin cancer prevention program for high school students. I must also take the opportunity to thank Big Kenny and the Love Everybody Fund. Without that support, I wouldn’t be able to devote the time, energy and passion necessary to complete a project of this magnitude.
Read More - FGHL Blog: Twanda Wadlington - Helping Vulnerable Children Learn Oral Hygiene in Munsieville, South Africa
On June 30, 2011, my fellow ETSU Frist Global Health Leader, Megan Quinn and I had the opportunity to meet with the Orphan and Vulnerable Children Coordinator of a local NGO in Munsieville, Lagae La Bana (Home for the Children). This organization focuses on servicing orphaned and vulnerable children with daily meals and social support throughout the year. During that meeting, it was decided that a program for those children would be implemented during winter break from school. The program focuses on engaging children in the area of academics, arts, sports, and health issues of the community. This program also seeks to engage pensioners and non-working adults in developing a cooperative. This cooperative will seek to start a project that benefits the community through government funding.

Subscribe to our newsletter to recieve the latest updates.