Support the Campaign to Improve the Water Quality in Roma Populations
Rebecca Powell Doherty in collaboration with Drs. Ralph Hall and Stephen Eubank, have developed a targeted project to address the issue of clean water access and sanitation. They are raising money on gofundme. Recently, I caught up with Rebecca Powell Doherty to learn more about the effort; here’s what she told me:
What is the social benefit you hope to achieve with or through your crowdfunding campaign?
The Roma people in Eastern Europe disproportionately face substandard living conditions and unreliable housing. This leads to extreme difficulties maintaining access to clean water and, as such, the Roma face illness from water-borne disease at much higher rates than non-Roma throughout Europe. In collaboration with Drs. Ralph Hall and Stephen Eubank at Virginia Tech University, I have developed a targeted project to address the issue of clean water access and sanitation. Dr. Hall has extensive experience in multiple use water systems throughout the globe and has generously shared a validated survey used previously in other countries to determine the level of need and satisfaction in target communities in regard to water access, cleanliness, and disease prevention. Dr. Eubank is a computer modeling expert and has developed a program that allows researchers to model the effects of a given public health intervention on a target population or region. I am an experienced research scientist with a background in immunology, with an emphasis on infectious diseases and immunology, currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health degree and certificate in global planning and international development at Virginia Tech.
I am interested in conducting a survey within the Roma population, based on Dr. Hall’s validated survey in conjunction with a World Health Organization (WHO) survey, in order to address the connection between clean water and the spread of communicable diseases in Roma settlements and camps. A great deal of research exists in the literature about these two concepts independently, but very little has been done in terms of combining the two and identifying the connection. In addition to demographic, educational, and housing information, my survey covers a range of topics related to clean water access, including perceived need, satisfaction, belief in government support, and questions addressing illness and the spread of disease. Following the survey data collection, Dr. Eubanks’ modeling system will allow us to leverage the data from the survey questions to evaluate the cost/benefit and cost/effectiveness of any proposed intervention to address the cross-over issues of water, sanitation, and the spread of disease. These data and subsequent analysis can then be utilized by ERTF, ERRC, or other collaborators to inform public policy, aid advocacy initiatives, and enhance the published literature.
The modeling system that we propose will allow us to identify development interventions that may be most useful in improving the water quality and access in targeted regions, and it can be readily updated as circumstances and populations change or progress. Again, our results will be used by our partner organizations to advocate for the implementation of the interventions we identify as most beneficial.
How much money are you hoping to raise and why? How much have you raised so far?
The proposal for the pilot initiative, which targets five villages in Romania, has a budget of $10,000. As of February 4, 2016, we have raised $6,020 of that total! The entire sum will be used to cover the cost of survey implementation, data collection, analysis, and advocacy. This includes travel by the research team, participatory incentives for study participants (no more than $5 USD), as well as the cost of running the models and simulations. Any remaining funds will be donated to the partner non-profit organizations, European Roma Rights Centre and European Roma and Traveller’s Forum (ERRC and ERTF), to use for advocacy initiatives.
Whom are you trying to help with your project and why?
The Roma, often known as Gypsies, are the single most disenfranchised group of people in Europe. In countries that most would classify as developed and wealthy, they live in substandard housing and are frequently segregated and denied access to primary health care, education, and the legal protections to which they are entitled as EU citizens. They are often evicted from their homes without notice, and the EU countries engage in illegal deportation, trading these individuals from country to country as if they were livestock. They are denied access to personal documentation, which would allow them to secure jobs and improve the lives of their families. Given all this, the rates of water borne illness and diarrheal disease are 5-10 times higher in this population than in non-Roma of similar geographical location. As it is not politically astute to aid this group of individuals, it is up to civil society to make a difference.
What rewards, if any, are you offering to your supporters?
All backers receive communication (postcards) from Romania if they provide contact info and will be invited to a cocktail hour upon our return from Romania, in which we will update everyone on our activities and the results of the work. Access to the cocktail hour will be available virtually. Backers at the $20 and up range enter the raffle for yoga classes, thai massage, and life coaching sessions.
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