Blog #55: Mai, Lezama

We awarded 15 Volunteer Service Awards this spring; we are introducing 2 or 3 of them each week. Marina Mai is a member of Washington University at St Louis’ GlobeMed Chapter. Since 2008, they have been partnering with a Ugandan health NGO which provides reproductive health, youth empowerment, child health and HIV/AIDS services in the districts of Iganga, Mayuge and Luuka. Each year as part of  the Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) trip, a team of students works alongside Ugandan staff over the summer to strengthen the  partnership, contribute to and help develop programs and organizational infrastructure, and document experiences to share with the GlobeMed chapter. Niara Lezama is also a member of the Washington University at St Louis GlobeMed Chapter’s GROW Team which will be traveling to Uganda. Her specific assignment is with the Nutrition Project in Naigobya and with the Youth Resource Center in Iganga. The goal of the Nutrition Project is to teach local citizens about how to eat a balanced diet using local foods, focusing especially on mothers and young children.