Utahn Devotes Himself to Serving Uganda
This afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting John Shavers, the founder of the Interethnic Health Alliance which is a small nonprofit serving the people of Uganda.
Originally, the organization was founded to serve Utah women in the prison system who had HIV/AIDS or were at risk for contracting and spreading it. When their state funding ran out, they refocused their efforts on Uganda and have been working there since.
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Shavers, the gray-haired gentleman near the center of the photo of women supported by IHA microloans, is a clinical psychologist. He will leave in two weeks to Uganda for the 8th time in the past several years.
IHA describes its mission as follows:
OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST THE RURAL COMMUNITES OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, PRIMARILY UGANDA, IN OBTAINING ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN & AN ADEQUATE WAGE. WE DO THIS THROUGH ENGAGING IN DIALOG’S WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AROUND ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY THE MEMBERS THEMSELVES. OUR CURRENT MAJOR INITIATIVES ARE; ASSISTANCE IN STARTING SELF-SUSTAINING BUSINESSES PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF DECLINING FUEL RESOURCES.
Presently, IHA is focused on five inititatives:
Micro loans to women-managed groups.
Clean water in rural schools.
Solar power and lights for rural schools.
Reusable hygiene kits for women.
Computers for refugee families.
It is always a pleasure to meet someone like Shavers, with a real passion for action. He is not content to stand by while others suffer.
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