Maddy Bishop_VanHorn, Rwanda - Summer 2016

I recently graduated with a BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University, New Orleans and I am now in Rwanda for two months working as a Coordinator for Engineering World Health, an NGO from the US which empowers engineering students to repair medical equipment in developing countries, including Rwanda. I have experience teaching people to use 3D printers, and I am helping FAWE Gisozi Girls' Secondary School install and learn to use a Replicator printer while I am here in Rwanda.

Aditi Sriram, Chennai, India - Summer 2016

"My name is Aditi. I have completed my engineering in Biotechnology and I'm all set to begin my Master's in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts- Amherst this Fall. That young minds are impressionable, is well-established and in my case the impressions of my childhood are a large part of the reason I put pen to paper today. In retrospect, growing up around my father's brother –a para medical officer at the Indian Council of Medical Research – has had a significant influence on my outlook to life. My uncle dedicated himself to the eradication of leprosy.  As part of his job, he would visit countless villages leading a crusade against leprosy and the stigmatization suffered by those who suffer from it, infallibly returning home with fruits to eat and endless stories that invariably involved changing people’s lives for the better. At that age, I could only grasp a fraction of what he did, and only got a sense of the number of lives he had touched at his funeral procession, where a huge number of his patients and colleagues turned up – mourning like they had lost one of their own. Through my uncle's example, I learnt that leaders have a bias for action. They invest themselves fully into their people and purpose, knowing that in the long run, all the time and energy will be worth it. This is exactly what I am looking to take back from my internship at Aarogya Seva.  Added to this, I will have the chance to interact with a group of extremely dedicated people from all backgrounds, majors and experiences. I’m sure the experience will be meaningful and humbling. "

International Albinism Awareness Day 13/6

"There is no room in this 21st century for erroneous and harmful beliefs, or for discrimination on any grounds. People with albinism are just as deserving of dignity as every other human being. They have the right to live free from discrimination, deprivation and fear."

ZEID RA'AD AL HUSSEINUN High Commissioner for Human Rights

June 13th 2015 was the first time International Albinism Awareness Day was celebrated. This came about through active campaigning from various organisations and the increased violent attacks on persons with albinism particularly in Africa. 

To see a moving story go here:

It is noted however that this is not an isolated condition for this region.  

Albinism results in lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes causing increased sensitivity to the sun and also visual impairments.  It is an inherited rare non contagious genetic disease which occurs worldwide regardless of background and gender.   Exact data on prevalence is uncertain unfortunately partly due to the stigma and discrimination faced.

To see the Message by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'Ad Al Hussein:

This quote from Zeid Ra'Ad Al Hussein speech highlights the challenges: 

"In some parts of the world, people with albinism may also suffer horrific, and sometimes lethal, atrocities. Civil society activists have reported that hundreds of people with albinism – a majority of them children – have been killed, mutilated or otherwise attacked in at least 25 African countries, because of the belief that their body parts confer magical powers. More cases remain undocumented because of the isolation of the victims, the secrecy surrounding ritual practices, and indifference. Shockingly, such crimes have seldom been investigated or prosecuted"

So today lets celebrate diversity and promote inclusion for all.

To test how much you know about human rights of people with albinism go here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Aravani Art Project

If you’re in Mumbai this Friday and Saturday please drop by to say hi Poornima Sukumar and help out on the Aravani Art Project.

Aarogyaseva is proud and excited to sponsor and support The Aravani Art Project on this initiative in association with Humsafar Trust.

Poornima is the Aarogyaseva artist in residence and she started the Aravani Art Initiative.   You will remember that for International Women's Day in March Poornima was one of the artists who beautifully decorated our now open free clinic in Jayanagar Bangalore Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra.

The Aravani Art Project aims to use art as a medium to bring the community together with particular emphasis on inclusion of the transgender community.   They have been doing projects across India most recently in Bangalore.   

Poornima first became involved in the transgender community through working on a documentation with Tabs Breese and wanted to stay connected and involved afterwards.   Her aim is to eventually expand the project across the world to give the third gender a voice and to encourage acceptance across the world.

Aravani Art Project has also been featured in The Hindu and Good.

If you want to find out more and support please head to their Facebook page.

It’s not too late to help! They are still after artists, scaffolding builders, buskers and magic markers.  Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated including just dropping by to say hi.

Aravani Art Project is also going to Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata.   We'll let you know when it does. 

Don’t forget we’re also looking for more volunteers for our clinic Mahadohi Aarogayseva Kendra in Bangalore.   So drop us a line at Volunteer @aarogyaseva.org

We look forward to sharing some photos next week on the event.  Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Annelies - Blog Week 2

The time goes very fast here in India. I finished already the second week of my internship. This week was very varied. The first three days were at the dermatology department. I saw here different cases and treatments. Among other skin cancers, hair transplantation, the injection of scars, the removal of cysts. It was very interesting. Also i followed a college about injectables and about fat transplantation. The hair transplantation treatment lasted ten hours. I was allowed to assist with the cutting of the hairs from the proper tissue that had been removed from the occiput.

The theme of the other three days was the Indian Inclusion Summit event in Bangalore and the project of Professor Luis Columna from the USA. He showed his program for physical activity for children with disabilities. He gave a presentation at the Bangalore Medical college. Also we went to organizations for children with disabilities and next year he want to come with his students to India to start the program. Hopefully i am in the possibility to help out with the program and to learn more about this field of the healthcare.

On saturday we went to the Indian Inclusion Summit event. The combination of presentations of people with disabilities and medische disciplines was very interesting. There were very inspirating stories. I like to see the powerful stories of the strong people. They have a great perseverance to pursue the quality of life as good as possible.

This was my blog of my second week here in India. Next week i go to Mysore for an international conference. I will give here a presentation about the profession skin therapist.

Disclaimer: Annelies is a native Dutch speaker. This article has not been edited for either content or grammar.  The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Exercise, Sports and Physical Therapy in Hemophilia