Stories from our Chapter Advisor in Uganda
Posted on Aug 18, 2009 by Ashley Hagaman
Ashley Hagaman has served as GlobeMed’s Chapter Advisor since 2008, providing guidance to GlobeMed’s 19 chapters on everything ranging from recruitment of students and chapter operations to how to fundraise more effectively for health projects. In July 2009, Ashley traveled to Uganda to gain further insight into the work students were doing with their health partners and meet with new organizations that GlobeMed could potentially partner with and support.
I arrived at the Uganda Development and Health Associates (UDHA) headquarters after burrowing my way through what Ugandans call the "organized chaos" of throngs of people in the Kampala taxi park. Evan Blank (co-president of the GlobeMed chapter at Washington University) gave me a quick briefing of the essentials – the people, programs, challenges, and basic language - and then I jumped right in to my work! 
The purpose of my four week whirlwind trip through Uganda was to search for potential community based organizations that may serve as future partners for new GlobeMed chapters, as well as to observe the partnership between UDHA and the Washington University chapter to better understand what a GlobeMed partnership looks like and how the National Office can continue to improve the effectiveness of these partnerships.
For the first week of my stay in Uganda I had the privilege of learning all about the incredible work the GlobeMed at Wash U team had done over the past 7 weeks. In just a short time, they had organized a group of courageous young adults and equipped them with the skills needed for an income generating program by making paper bead jewelry (quick plug – contact washu@globemed.org to buy some beautiful necklaces). More than just the income generating project, the GlobeMed at Wash U students also formed an incredible relationship with the youth and staff of UDHA. I remember multiple meetings where UDHA’s cofounder, Dr. Waiswa, spoke with a quiet confidence about the amazing potential between the two groups of youth. Both sets of students inspired the other, opening each others eyes to an interconnected world full of potential - a potential that can be realized through partnership. I was able to see how possible it really is for our students to form deep connections with communities all over the world. As I watched a tearful and heartfelt goodbye between the WashU students and youth at the end of their seven we
ek stay, it was easy to see – this wasn’t a one off trip, but a true relationship that transcended cultural differences and national borders – a relationship that connected people with a common belief in social justice. I have no doubt that this trip for the GlobeMed at WashU chapter will ignite a new fire back on campus, lighting a new path for an incredible partnership for several years to come.
Since that heartfelt goodbye, I’ve traveled to every border of Uganda. Evan and I visited with over 20 organizations to learn more about their work on the ground. After meeting with so many other ngo's, it was hard to contain the excitement at the prospect of expanding our partners that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on GlobeMed students and that community. The relationships GlobeMed initiaties allow our network (both in the States and around the world) to see the real power of partnership. I look forward to sharing these incredible new stories at the end of the year.
Ashley Hagaman has served as GlobeMed’s Chapter Advisor since 2008, providing guidance to GlobeMed’s 19 chapters on everything ranging from recruitment of students and chapter operations to how to fundraise more effectively for health projects. In July 2009, Ashley traveled to Uganda to gain further insight into the work students were doing with their health partners and meet with new organizations that GlobeMed could potentially partner with and support.
I arrived at the Uganda Development and Health Associates (UDHA) headquarters after burrowing my way through what Ugandans call the "organized chaos" of throngs of people in the Kampala taxi park. Evan Blank (co-president of the GlobeMed chapter at Washington University) gave me a quick briefing of the essentials – the people, programs, challenges, and basic language - and then I jumped right in to my work!
The purpose of my four week whirlwind trip through Uganda was to search for potential community based organizations that may serve as future partners for new GlobeMed chapters, as well as to observe the partnership between UDHA and the Washington University chapter to better understand what a GlobeMed partnership looks like and how the National Office can continue to improve the effectiveness of these partnerships.
For the first week of my stay in Uganda I had the privilege of learning all about the incredible work the GlobeMed at Wash U team had done over the past 7 weeks. In just a short time, they had organized a group of courageous young adults and equipped them with the skills needed for an income generating program by making paper bead jewelry (quick plug – contact washu@globemed.org to buy some beautiful necklaces). More than just the income generating project, the GlobeMed at Wash U students also formed an incredible relationship with the youth and staff of UDHA. I remember multiple meetings where UDHA’s cofounder, Dr. Waiswa, spoke with a quiet confidence about the amazing potential between the two groups of youth. Both sets of students inspired the other, opening each others eyes to an interconnected world full of potential - a potential that can be realized through partnership. I was able to see how possible it really is for our students to form deep connections with communities all over the world. As I watched a tearful and heartfelt goodbye between the WashU students and youth at the end of their seven week stay, it was easy to see – this wasn’t a one off trip, but a true relationship that transcended cultural differences and national borders – a relationship that connected people with a common belief in social justice. I have no doubt that this trip for the GlobeMed at WashU chapter will ignite a new fire back on campus, lighting a new path for an incredible partnership for several years to come.
Since that heartfelt goodbye, I’ve traveled to every border of Uganda. Evan and I visited with over 20 organizations to learn more about their work on the ground. After meeting with so many other ngo's, it was hard to contain the excitement at the prospect of expanding our partners that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on GlobeMed students and that community. The relationships GlobeMed initiaties allow our network (both in the States and around the world) to see the real power of partnership. I look forward to sharing these incredible new stories at the end of the year.
