Living in New and Needed Space
Anyone who has been reading our blog knows that I changed jobs several weeks ago. The change brought immediate travel opportunities for me. I left on Friday November 8th for Masindi, Uganda. Over the next 10 days I traveled, served, laughed, and ate with 13 new friends from the states. We had the opportunity to serve hundreds of people in the areas surrounding Masindi and see firsthand the impact that OneWorld Health is making. Through a very well thought out and intentional effort this organization is making a significant difference in the lives of countless people.
Here are just a few things regarding their work and reasons for serving in these areas:
We at OneWorld Health are driven by the conviction that where you were born should not determine your accessibility to quality and affordable healthcare.
OneWorld Health exists to provide quality, affordable care to communities in need.
OneWorld Health facilities provide a full scope of medical services, offered by trained nationals, at a price point that is accessible to an overwhelming majority of the population.
OneWorld Health employs the best and the brightest national staff in each country we work in. Our staff ensures that the highest quality care is delivered at the most accessible price point.
Something interesting happens at the intersection of quality and affordability. Just 13 months after opening our pilot project in Masindi, Uganda revenues generated from patient fees began meeting or exceeding operational costs; meaning that the project was 100% operationally sustainable.
You see, the need in Uganda (and other places) is real.
35,873,253 people living in Uganda (that is (11.43% of the population of the United States)
Uganda is slightly smaller than state of Oregon
Infant mortality rate is 61/1000 births
Fertility rate is 6.65 children/woman
There are 0.117 physicians/1000 people (2005)
There are 0.39 hospital beds/1000 people (2009)
35% of the population lives below the poverty line (2001)
(All statistics are taken from the CIA World Factbook)
As for me, there were several things I discovered on my trip:
OneWorld Health is an organization that is laser focused on what they are called to do. So many organizations or non-profits start with a great idea, but then expand it to include multiple if not dozens of things. This focus allows OneWorld Health to accomplish the task where many organizations struggle or fail.
OneWorld Health has a well thought out, replicable, and implemented model. This model ensures not only success in the mission and vision, but sustainability both short-term and long-term. That matters significantly for the communities we serve. They need to know that the work will endure and last.
I also found a group of people who were committed to collaboration. They believe that working with others in the country (both governmental and non-governmental) enables them to do their best work. Working with others gives the greatest opportunity to make a difference and the humility with which they serve doesn’t require OneWorld Health or it’s leaders to receive all the credit. OneWorld Health is intentionally looking for the best in others believing that together all of us can bring life and transformation where life often seems lost.
It’s a great organization. If you’re looking for an opportunity to serve, we would love for you to join us. You would love it!
