CCIH Monthly Bulletin

May/June 2007

 

1. CCIH AND MEMBER NEWS

CCIH CONFERENCE WELL ATTENDED AND WELL RECEIVED

CCIH held its Annual Conference May 26-28 at the Bishop Claggett Center in Buckeystown, Maryland, with the theme of Partnerships for Health and Wholeness. One hundred and forty-four people attended the conference, including 28 students and recent graduates and 11 people who traveled from outside of the US just for the conference. Among the participants were nationals of at least 17 different countries. The conference attracted twenty-two non-members, many of whom were presenters, while the remaining participants were fairly evenly divided between individual members and those employed by 37 organizational members and affiliates. We were very pleased with the range in age, life/work experience, focus, nationality, membership and even gender of our conference community. As always, it contributed to an enriching, challenging and educational environment. We sincerely thank all who participated in the conference and all those who supported us with ideas, prayers, presentations, and donations of money and time. The success of the conference is an affirmation of our CCIH community.

The weekend started off with two pre-conference workshops on Saturday morning attended by 13 people each. Monitoring and Evaluation was led by Charles Katende of JHPIEGO and Christian Leadership Strategies for Health System Reform was led by Henry Mosley and Ben Lozare. These pre-conferences were very well received and the presenters were highly complimented for their presentations. The main conference consisted of eight plenary sessions, five of which examined different types of partnerships using examples to illustrate the pros and cons of each. Many of the twenty breakout workshops presented during the conference also explored ways in which FBOs, and those they work with, use partnerships to enhance their impact, increase their efficiency and work toward sustainability. It was very exciting to learn how many in the faith-based community have embraced the concept of partnership as a natural, although not always easy, extension of their faith. Indeed, partnering, even among those who share the same faith, may not always go smoothly but the overall message from the conference (by both presenters and participants) was that the results of such a relationship are worth the struggle.

At this year’s conference we were especially blessed with plenary and workshop speakers whose presentations were highly praised for their breadth, depth, quality and diversity. Some conference attendees had a hard time deciding which of the many interesting workshop sessions to go to. Our keynote speaker Kay Warren, HIV/AIDS Director and co-founder of Saddleback Church in California, challenged each one of us to take a personal look at what we are doing, as individuals and as part of a community of believers, to bring the news of love and support to those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Sometimes it is that message that helps the most. Dr. Kent Hill, the most senior health official at USAID, briefed us about the growing U.S. commitment to international development, especially in Africa. Admiral Tim Ziemer, Coordinator of the President's Malaria Initiative, came to share in a Malaria and FBOs workshop exploring the comparative advantages of FBOs in fighting malaria.

Dr. Carl Taylor, well known for his pioneering work in community-based primary health care, inspired everyone who heard him speak at the conference: from students who have recently studied his work to seasoned professionals who have emulated him. Dr. Taylor’s willingness to share his life experiences and his life’s work, including his most recent projects promoting the empowerment of women and local communities, was appreciated and will not soon be forgotten. The last speaker of the conference, Rev. Paula Stecker, led us in a beautiful communion service which touched everyone present and provided a perfect ending to our three days of education, reflection, networking and fellowship.

It may be hard to believe that there was time for anything other than plenary and workshop sessions when one looks at the extensive offerings in the schedule – but there was plenty more! Our days began with inspiring Worship and Praise sessions led by Laura van Vuuren and assisted by a talented group of musicians and singers. And the days ended with fellowship and snacks in Powell Hall where we had a chance to get to know each other better. During the day there were many opportunities for participants to participate in impromptu discussions, to catch up with old friends or to make new ones, to continue discussions that began in workshop and plenary sessions or to just share some quiet time.

An innovation at this year’s conference was the organization of impromptu, informal, participant-led special discussion groups at meals on topics of common interest. For example, discussions were held over lunch with Dr. Kent Hill, head health officer at USAID, about recent developments of interest to FBOs. Tom Walsh, Chief of Staff of the U.S. PEPFAR AIDS program, led a lunch table discussion on this activity. Beth Good, of Eastern Mennonite Missions, briefed interested persons on an AIDS curriculum for church leaders that she has developed. Charles Strongo and Jason Redalieu of CCIH’s newest Affiliate, EarlyDETECT, Inc., over an impromptu lunch about their company and its products, connected with participant Emmanuel Ogunyemi and they are now exploring a collaboration to encourage HIV testing in churches in Nigeria.

The new conference facility at the Claggett Center helped to make the conference more comfortable and run more smoothly. Having most of the sessions in one building helped to make the transition between them easier. The many cozy seating areas and the Silo Chapel invited people to slow down and take the time to talk to each other and to God. And the dining room with its large tables and beautiful view of Sugarloaf Mountain provided quite a contrast to last year’s basement eating area, encouraging long discussions while enjoying the delicious and healthy food.

We are gathering materials from the conference (presentations, handouts, etc) and will make them available on the website as soon as possible. A conference report will also be available. An evaluation will be sent out soon to all participants and we do hope that you will take the time to give us constructive feedback about the event. Your comments are highly coveted as they will guide in planning next year’s annual conference.

 

CCIH ANNUAL BUSINESS AND REPORTING MEETING FOR MEMBERS

The CCIH Annual Business Meeting, required by its bylaws, was held May 27, 2007 at the Bishop Claggett Center during the Annual CCIH Conference. Board President Milton Amayun presided. New members introduced themselves, giving the picture of a growing CCIH providing a valuable information sharing and networking service.

Executive Director Ray Martin reported on the highlights of the last year and his assessment of CCIH’s activities. His one-page report can be found at http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0607files/Exec_Dir_Rpt_CCIH_Annual_Meeting_07.doc.

Board Treasurer Bob Blees reported on the 2006 financial accounts. Total revenues were $129,783, the first year they exceeded $100,000. Expenses for 2006 totaled $120,476. The end of year balance of only $9,307 indicates that CCIH is managing on a sort of “hand to mouth” existence financially.

The one-time fundraising for the Calvin College Faith and International Development budget netted $28,875. Dues and contributions from organizational members, individuals members, and affiliate organizations added up to nearly $40,000, a figure the board would like to increase to assure a solid financial footing for a membership service organization like CCIH. The cost of the 2006 CCIH annual conference was $24,691, but income for the conference from registration and grants came up nearly $4,000 short of covering the costs.

Finally, Milton led the annual meeting through the highlights of CCIH’s fundraising proposal, which is reported in #3 below.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PREPARES FUNDRAISING PROPOSAL FOR THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND CCIH’S SERVICES AND MINISTRY

At the CCIH annual business meeting May 27, Board President Milton Amayun revealed a Proposal for Organizational Sustainability with a three-year timeframe aimed at raising an additional $390,000 on top of current revenue levels from member dues and contributions. The board-approved core 2007 budget, not counting possible special projects, is a challenging $197,000.

Milton maintained that “CCIH has reached a point where it needs to develop its resource base to enable it to respond to the opportunities for service to an expanding organizational and individual membership and the rapidly growing interest of governments, donors, international institutions, and professional associations to interact with faith-based organizations.”

The board’s plan, if realized, would enable the recruitment of a new staff person to focus on resource development and program management. It would also convert the Executive Director position, which is now largely voluntary, to a paid staff role, strengthening the organization’s sustainability. The board also anticipates a companion fundraising effort to obtain financing to hire a part-time Student Activities Coordinator.

The vision for the next three years anticipates a near doubling of both membership and attendance at the annual conference, a dynamic program of member-driven working groups, and a renewed emphasis on addressing compelling issues in international health and wholeness from a faith-based perspective.

CCIH members who attended the Annual Meeting were given the opportunity to be among the first to answer the call for increased support for CCIH and many boldly responded to the challenge. In the near future the vision and fundraising proposal will be sent to all CCIH members and others, requesting contributions and three-year pledges of support to enable sound planning for this expansion effort. Leadership for this effort will be provided by the Resource Mobilization Committee chaired by Milton Amayun, iaimilton@aol.com, and the Finance Committee, chaired by CCIH Treasurer Bob Blees, bob.blees@sim.org, with logistical and administrative support from Executive Director Ray Martin, martinrs@aol.com, and Program Associate Sharon Franzen, sfranzen@ccih.org.

 

CCIH ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF ELECTIONS TO 2007 – 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The results of the CCIH elections to its board of directors, previously announced by email to CCIH members, were also announced at the May 27 annual meeting for members during the annual CCIH conference at the Bishop Claggett Center. The 12-member board for the next year will see only one change. Dr. Douglas Huber was elected as Member-at-Large to replace Sister Phyllis Hughes of Catholic Relief Services, who resigned after one year because of her heavy workload.

Also re-elected to two-year terms were Dr. Dorothy Brewster-Lee as Vice-President, Bob Blees as Treasurer, Dr. Howard Searle as Member-at-Large, and Jacqui Patterson as Member-at-Large.

For the first time this year, the election was conducted entirely by email. Because of the growing numbers of CCIH members and the fact that they are scattered all over the world, continued elections in person at the annual members’ meeting became impractical.

As per CCIH bylaws, the responsibilities of the board of directors include:

  • designate CCIH’s mission, goals and strategy;
  • set the CCIH’s priorities;
  • establish CCIH’s policies;
  • approve CCIH’s budget;
  • evaluate the performance of CCIH and its progress towards achieving its mission;
  • accept new organizational members;
  • prepare a slate of candidates for elections;
  • organize the annual meeting, and,
  • as required, appoint an auditor and receive and review their reports.

The board encourages CCIH members to communicate with board members and to engage actively in the work of the organization. Here is the entire board for the 2007-2008 year, with contact information. Please feel free to communicate with any or all of them.

Officers:

Members-at-Large:

 

CCIH WORKING GROUPS MEET AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Ten CCIH Working Groups met, most for the first time, at the CCIH Annual Conference on May 27. The purpose of the meeting was to give members a chance to meet one another, confirm the list of members and to discuss the goals and activities of each group for the coming year. The leaders of the working groups have been asked to report on their respective meetings to the CCIH Board by July 1.

The working groups will continue to "meet" throughout the year, albeit by electronic means and through conference calls. Most of the groups have established internal listservs to assist with communication. It is hoped that each working group will eventually have its own webpage within the CCIH website in order to inform members and others about their goals and activities.

According to the Working Group Guidelines approved by the Board of Directors, Working Groups should

  • Advance the mission of CCIH in a practical way that serves the organization, its constituents, and the greater International Health Community.
  • Provide a proactive, non-political forum for those with mutual interests to focus on a topic.  
  • Use the synergy, energy and combined talents and experience of group members to produce practical outputs (tools, resources, reports, publications).
  • Contribute to the lateral learning conducted at the annual conference by planning workshops, forums etc.

CCIH members are encouraged to join working groups. They provide a way for members to become more involved in the work of the organization by focusing on topics which they feel passionate about. As mentioned above, the group outputs can be many things. For instance, CCIH's recently published book on the ABC Approach to HIV Prevention was a product of the HIV Prevention and Health Behavior Working Group. Other groups may want to make and publish a study of FBO activities regarding specific types of health programs or organize a workshop or pre-conference during the next year's annual conference. Each group has the flexibility to chart its own course and decide on its own activities, consistent with the mission and vision of CCIH or its members.

A list of the working groups which met in May can be found below. Please feel free to contact the group leaders to obtain more information or to join:

  1. HIV Prevention and Health Behaviors - Dorothy Brewster-Lee, dbrewste@crs.org
  2. Global Religious Health Assets Mapping (GRHAM)  Vickie Johnson, vickiejohnson@interchurch.org
  3. Community Health  - Connie Gates, connie@jamkhed.org
  4. Disabilities - Jacqui Patterson, jpatters1@yahoo.com
  5. Maternal and Child Health - Jacqui Patterson,  jpatters1@yahoo.com
  6. Reproductive Health/Family Planning - Douglas Huber, DouglasHuber777@yahoo.com
  7. Christian Hospitals - Ron Mataya, rmataya@llu.edu
  8. Transformational Indicators - Henry Mosley, hmosley@jhsph.edu
  9. Orphans and Vulnerable Children - Dick Stellway, aids@viva.org
  10. Global Fund-  Milton Amayun, iaimilton@aol.com

 

CCIH CO-SPONSORS IMPORTANT MEETING OF NEW GLOBAL FUND DIRECTOR WITH FBOs – NEW MANUAL FOR FBOs UNVEILED

CCIH was invited to help organize and co-sponsor a major May 9 luncheon in Washington, DC with the newly appointed Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, http://www.theglobalfund.org, Dr. Michel Kazatchkine. He specifically asked to meet with the faith community during his first official trip to the U.S. The other lunch sponsors were Friends of the Global Fight, http://www.theglobalfight.org, and DATA, http://www.data.org.

A highlight of the interfaith luncheon, which was attended by about 75 FBO leaders along with officials from the U.S. Government, Congress, and other interested organizations, was the formal unveiling of a new manual designed to serve as a guide for FBOs and other community-based groups on the Global Fund’s structures and policies. The goal of the manual, which was co-authored by CCIH board President Dr. Milton Amayun, is to increase both the level of understanding and participation of FBOs in the Fund’s grant making processes.

The 49-page document, entitled Engaging With The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria: A Primer for Faith-Based Organizations , is available on the CCIH website at http://www.ccih.org/Global_Fund/FBO.Manual.pdf. It was published by Friends of the Global Fight, CCIH, and World Vision.

In welcoming the manual, Kazatchkine said, “Religious organizations provide so much of the health care and orphan care in Africa. If the Global Fund is to help countries reach the goal of universal access to AIDS treatment and care, and if every child in a region with malaria is to sleep under a bed net, we need to engage better with more faith organizations. This handbook represents our overall effort to strengthen partnerships and help our partners save more lives.”

Bob Zachritz, World Vision’s senior policy advisor for global development, added, “This is a step in the right direction to empower better collaboration, since both the Global Fund and faith organizations share the same goals of funding quality programs that save lives."

Dr. Christoph Benn, Director of External Relations at the Global Fund, reported that about six percent of Global Fund financing is channeled through FBOs, but they would like to see that proportion increase. In his remarks at the luncheon, Milton Amayun described World Vision’s successful efforts to engage with the Global Fund and obtain major funding for consortia including FBOs. Karen Sichinga, Deputy Director of CCIH member Churches Health Association of Zambia, http://www.chaz.org.zm, described the major Global Fund grant that is managed by CHAZ and observed, “As a person of faith, I’ve seen how the support of the Global Fund helps us, the nurses and doctors on the front line in the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria, in our call to serve our communities and save and change lives.”

Ray Martin in his luncheon address said that a condition for improved cooperation between the Global Fund and the faith community is further learning and efforts by both sides. He mentioned four ways in which FBOs must work harder and do a better job to benefit increasingly from Global Fund resources. Drawing from comments from CCIH members about the Global Fund, Martin asserted that FBOs have to:

  1. learn better how to write winning proposals,
  2. develop greater competence in financial accounting skills,
  3. insist on adequate monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, and
  4. learn how to combine their efforts and form coalitions to simplify interaction with the Global Fund.

He then listed seven initiatives that the Global Fund should consider in order to more effectively mobilize the faith community and its grassroots power to impact directly on people’s lives at the community level. Dr. Kazatchine promised that the Global Fund would examine these suggestions and communicate its responses to CCIH for dissemination throughout the faith community. See item #7 for the Global Fund’s official response.

For the text of Martin’s comments with suggestions for both the FBO community and the Global fund, go to http://www.ccih.org/Global_Fund/Ray.Martin.Speech.May07.doc.

CCIH has formed a Global Fund Working group to promote and facilitate mutually beneficial interaction between the Global Fund and FBOs. To subscribe to the Working Group’s email listserv, send a blank email to globalfund-join@ccih.org. To contact the group’s coordinator, Dr. Milton Amayun, email iaimilton@aol.com.

 

GLOBAL FUND RESPONDS FORMALLY TO CCIH SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER COLLABORATION WITH FBOs

The item #6 above reported on a May 9th lunch with the Global Fund executive director and FBOs and cited the seven suggestions made by CCIH executive director Ray Martin (http://www.ccih.org/Global_Fund/Ray.Martin.Speech.May07.doc) in his address for improved collaboration between the Global Fund and FBOs. As Dr. Kazatchkine promised, they studied these ideas seriously and have sent an official response to each of the questions. This response is found at http://www.ccih.org/Global_Fund/G_F_Response_FBO_Questions6.07.pdf.

CCIH encourages those interested in the Global Fund to study these responses. If you have comments or questions, feel free to communicate them to CCIH and/or directly to the Global Fund. The Fund’s Director for External Relations is a close friend of CCIH, Dr. Christoph Benn, email: christoph.benn@theglobalfund.org

 

CCIH WELCOMES NEW AFFILIATE: EARLYDETECT, INC.

The CCIH board of directors, interested in expanding its "connecting" function with the commercial sector, approved the application of EarlyDETECT, Inc. (http://www.earlydetect.com) as a CCIH Affiliate.

The company manufactures and markets in-vitro diagnostic health test kits for in-home, hospital and small-test site use - part of a industry with $25 billion annual worldwide sales. Fourteen of their tests are FDA-approved. EDI's two wholly owned subsidiaries, Pan-Probe Biotech and Sherman Biotech, are working on the research and development of various drugs and vaccines. They are seeking to expand their overseas business.

EarlyDETECT describes itself as "a corporation empowered to overcome the stigma of 'Corporate America' by providing health testing to those most at risk in the United States, the uninsured and medically underserved, through U.S. Health and Human Services 340B Prime Vendor Program.  We are reaching out to Faith Based Organizations to form partnerships and to solve problems in the developing world. Our product line includes Rapid Diagnostic Tests for HIV, Malaria, and TB."

Headquartered in Irvine, California, EarlyDETECT is managed by Christian leaders and Christian principles, explained CEO Charles Strongo and Jason Redalieu, Government Liaison Officer, both of whom attended the recent CCIH annual conference. Strongo said that he is a Christian first and businessman second. At the conference, they established contact with a Nigerian church leader interested in tackling the issue of the stigma of HIV testing. Discussions are now underway to collaborate on an HIV testing program in churches, beginning with the church leaders, which would use simple, inexpensive HIV test kits from EarlyDETECT.

To contact the company, email info@earlydetect.com or Jason personally at Developmentdr@aol.com.

 

CCIH WELCOMES NEW ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS

Christian Social Services Commission of Tanzania (CSSC - http://www.cssc.or.tz). CSSC is an ecumenical body representing the interests of about 15 member denominations and 10 Church-related Organizations, both Protestant and Catholic, in Tanzania. CSSC is a strong voice of its members and over 600 Church-owned Health and 400 Education Institutions in the country. Its main role is facilitation of delivery of social services, education and health. Its mission is to support delivery of social services through partnership, lobbying and advocacy in a manner that will ensure transparency, quality, equity, availability and accessibility with compassion and love of Christ. CSSC has been a partner of CCIH member IMA World Health for many years and has been featured recently in this bulletin for its health assets mapping program (http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0307.htm#18).

The contact person for CSSC is the Director, Dr. Adeline Kimambo (cssc@cssc.or.tz). Dr. Simon Haule, Technical Support Services Officer, a presenter at the recent CCIH Annual Conference, can be reached at haule@cssc.or.tz. A list of CSSC-associated health facilities is accessible online at http://www.cssc.or.tz/health_sector/hospital.php?page=1.

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD - http://www.er-d.org). Episcopal Relief and Development is a compassionate response of the Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world and has served the needs of the poor and oppressed at home and in over 100 countries abroad in the past sixty years. Established in 1940 as the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, the agency changed its name in 2000 to emphasize its ongoing emergency relief work and its growing focus on long-term development and rehabilitation programs, including food security, primary health care and HIV/AIDS.

ERD's community malaria prevention work in Africa has gotten quite a bit of attention. Susan Lassen, Leadership Gifts Officer for ERD's NetsForLife program, was recently featured in a White House conference on malaria and faith-based organizations. She also testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, saying that at the community level, "The Church and other faith communities ... are the first point of contact for help."

"Faith communities have long had the ability to build and mobilize a delivery system that will reach the most vulnerable populations who live 'at the end of the road,'" ERD President Robert Radtke told the Congressional subcommittee.

NetsforLife is a one-year-old initiative of ERD, carried out in collaboration with the Anglican Churches of Africa and other partners, to distribute one million insecticide-treated malaria-prevention bed nets in 16 sub-Saharan African countries by the end of 2008. For a complete CCIH-NEWS listserv message on FBOs and malaria in Africa which features ERD, click here.

The contact persons for ERD are Abigail Nelson (VP for Programs, anelson@er-d.org) and Dr. Stephen Dzisi (Program Officer for Africa, sdzisi@er-d.org).

Kerus Global Education (http://www.kerusglobal.org). Kerus addresses what it sees as a deficiency of cross-cultural training and educational programs that are consistent with biblical principles and current research in public health.  It works to mobilize organizations and professionals in the United States and abroad to promote character development and the prevention, care and treatment of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.  Kerus seeks to empower local leaders to strategically design and implement programs with sound educational methodologies and which imitate the kindness and compassion of Jesus. Core Messages promoted in the Kerus training and educational programs include: A Wholistic Approach to the Education Process, Character and Courage, Life Skills Development, Abstinence and Faithfulness, Spiritual Foundations, and Empowering Parents and Guardians. Kerus' most recent resource guide, called It Takes Courage (http://www.kerusglobal.org/programsAndTraining/ITC-resource-guide.html), is designed to equip and inspire adults around the world to provide youth with the core character traits, essential life skills, and courage to live healthy, meaningful, and productive lives.

The Kerus Global Education contact person is Co-founder and Executive Director Dr. Marcia Ball (kerus@kerusglobal.org).

Southern African HIV/AIDS Collaboration (SAHAC) - SAHAC began in August 2004 as a working group formed by the Executive Director of the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations (AERDO - http://www.aerdo.net). SAHAC is currently a collaboration of seven non-profit organizations: CCIH members LifeWind International and Kerus Global Education along with AERDO, Churches Together, Partners Worldwide, International Bible Society –South Africa and Mariemont Community Church. The goal of the initiative is to reduce the rate of HIV/AIDS infection 30-50% within five years in participating communities. SAHAC’s focus is HIV prevention among teens and pre-teens. SAHAC aims to work through the church to catalyze community sectors— church, school, health care, government, business— to work in concert to turn the tide of beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviors among youth that contribute to HIV infection. The ultimate vision is to seed a youth movement—a positive counter-epidemic—in which youth make the case for sexual fidelity with each other.  

SAHAC launched its South African pilot project in Orlando East, one of the Soweto townships southwest of Johannesburg. The pilot project comprises four interlocking Focus Areas:  Community Health, Church Engagement, Job Creation and Youth Development.

The contact person for SAHAC is Zeke Swift (zekeswift@fuse.net). More information on the organization can be found at http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0607files/SAHAC_Update4-9-07.doc.

 

DR. EVA OMBAKA AWARDED THE 2007 OLLE HANSSON AWARD

CCIH congratulates Dr. Eva Ombaka, Coordinator of CCIH member Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN - http://www.epnetwork.org), for receiving the 2007 Olle Hansson Award. The award, which recognizes the contribution of individuals from developing countries in promoting the concepts of essential drugs and their rational use and increasing awareness among consumers of the dangers of irrational and hazardous drugs, is named in honor of Dr. Olle Hansson a Swedish pediatric neurologist internationally known for his advocacy of SMON (Sub-acute Myelo Optic Neuropathy) victims who were paralysed or blinded after using clioquinol, an antidiarrhoeal drug (for more on Hansson, go to the call for nominations at http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug/archive/200702/msg00011.php). The awardee is chosen by an international selection panel of three eminent persons. The award is managed by Health Action International Asia-Pacific (HAIAP - http://www.haiap.org), a network of organizations and individuals involved in health and pharmaceutical issues.

Dr. Ombaka, a Tanzanian Pharmacist, has been committed to the goals of ‘Access to Essential Medicines’ and ‘Rational Use of Medicines’ over the years. Her work has been most notable for bringing experiences from the grassroots to global fora and providing feedback from international meetings back to the people she serves at the local communities. She exemplifies the qualities of hard work, uncompromising steadfastness, and clear thinking that are basic attributes of a much wider community of people facing reality at the point where theory meets practice and where the challenges are always more numerous than resources. All who have worked with her will share pleasure in honoring her for her great contribution to strengthening health and pharmaceutical services where the needs are greatest.  The full press release for the award can be seen at http://www.epnetwork.org/en/about/ollehanssonaward/2007.

Dr. Ombaka has been instrumental in promoting access and rational use of essential medicines among churches and church-related institutions. Her leadership of EPN has contributed greatly to the sharing of knowledge to and from these communities. Her involvement in myriad international meetings, studies, panels, etc. has resulted in the international recognition of, and respect for, the role of faith-based communities in essential drug supply. In March 2006, EPN and the World Health Organization published a report of a 2003 study of 16 EPN member faith-based drug supply organizations (DSOs) and their contribution to medicines supply in 11 Anglophone and Francophone sub-Saharan African countries (refer to the April CCIH Bulletin at http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0406.htm#8). This study showed that faith-based DSOs play a crucial role in terms of increasing access to medicines, especially in rural and other remote areas of Africa, and provide a complementary service where government supply measures may fail to serve the public health system. In such circumstances faith-based DSOs offer a "safety net" function in the pharmaceutical supply system. The lessons learned from this study have contributed to the development of Guidelines for Effective and Efficient Pharmaceutical Services that are now in use in health institutions in several countries.

 

CCIH MEMBER IMA CHANGES NAME TO IMA WORLD HEALTH

IMA World Health (http://www.interchurch.org), established in 1960 as Interchurch Medical Assistance, has experienced a dramatic expansion of its work in the last 10 years. Originally known for procurement and shipping of donated medicines and medical products, today IMA provides technical assistance for developing primary health care systems, disease treatment and control programs, and supply chain management. Informal research has shown that few people use IMA’s full name or know what the acronym IMA means. So IMA has expanded its name to IMA World Health, while maintaining Interchurch Medical Assistance for contractual and other legal purposes. A new logo and website are in the design phase.

 

ADRA MALARIA PROJECT IN MOZAMBIQUE LAUNCHED BY LAURA BUSH

CCIH member Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA- http://www.adra.org) has begun a 3 year malaria project in Mozambique which is funded by the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI - http://www.fightingmalaria.gov). ADRA will manage the Together Against Malaria (TAM) project which will be implemented by the Inter-Religious Campaign against Malaria in Mozambique (IRCMM) with technical support provided through the Washington National Cathedral's Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation. The nearly $2 million project will train more than 250 faith leaders from ten distinct religions to provide health education, train other individuals, and mobilize their unique faith communities to work together in fighting the spread of malaria. Mike Negerie, ADRA’s regional technical manager for health in Africa, remarked: “ADRA is honored to have been selected to help faith-based organizations develop the capacity to tackle the malaria problem in Mozambique. This inter-faith partnership demonstrates the solid trust ADRA has built through the years; our partners know we will deliver sound, effective programs to benefit some of the world’s most vulnerable people, particularly mothers and children, who are at high risk for malaria and other diseases.”

The project was announced in an event at Maputo Seminary on June 27, attended by more than 200 people including Mrs. Bush. Also attending were Maria da Luz Geubuza, the first lady of Mozambique; Dr. Paulo Garrido, the Minister of Health; Bishop Dinis Sengulane, Anglican Bishop of Lebombo, Mozambique; and Admiral Timothy Ziemer, head of the PMI. In her remarks Mrs. Bush spoke of the importance of including faith communities in the fight against malaria, saying “Faith communities exist in every village in the country; therefore, faith leaders can reach their members and impact their attitudes and behavior related to malaria.”

For an ADRA press release concerning the project, go to the ADRA homepage and follow the link or click here.

 

SIM ENHANCES ONLINE CHRISTIAN RESOURCES ON AIDS

SIM International has organized online many of its resources on AIDS from a Christian perspective, reports Diane Marshall, International Consultant on AIDS based in Australia. She can be reached by email at international.aids-consultant@sim.org.

Go to http://www.hopeforaids.org/resources.asp to find 32 issues of their email newsletter called AIDSLINK, including some in French, covering topics in prevention, children, treatment, FBOs, youth, gender, orphans, and behavioral change. There is also a downloadable DVD entitled Hope for AIDS. For a library of Christian AIDS resources on home-based care, OVCs, prevention, and enabling a church response, go to their homepage, http://www.hopeforaids.org.

SIM (Serving In Mission), a non-denominational mission with a history of over a hundred years, has 1,600 active missionaries working closely with churches in over 40 countries. The SIM International homepage is http://www.sim.org and the homepage of SIM USA, a CCIH member, is http://www.simusa.org. Bob Blees, Corporate Vice-President and Corporate Secretary of SIM USA, is CCIH’s Treasurer.

A reminder that CCIH’s recent publication, The ABC approach to preventing the sexual transmission of HIV: Common questions and answers, can be downloaded from our website, http://www.ccih.org/. Hardcopies can be purchased online through the SIM-USA bookstore for $5 plus shipping and handling. Go to http://store.sim.org/catpgN3.htm, scroll down to find the volume, and order and pay online. If this doesn’t work, email literature@sim.org, or phone 704-587-1435.

 

ACAM'S LARRY CASAZZA MOVES TO NAIROBI

Larry Casazza, Director of CCIH Affiliate African Communities Against Malaria (ACAM- http://www.acamalaria.org), has shifted his base of operations from Washington, DC to Nairobi, Kenya. Larry says "I will be living in Nairobi for its strategic location and am ready to jump out to work wherever needed to close the gap between the Globally-funded Malaria programs and the communities they seek to serve." Once Larry is settled and sends us his contact information we will pass that on to you. In the meantime he can still be reached at larrycasazza@earthlink.net.

 

FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS SUPPORT THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY

CCIH Affiliate Family Health International (FHI - http://www.fhi.org) has developed programs that support the Faith-based community:

Faith-based Family Life Education (FLE) Curricula

The FLE curricula consists of manuals designed for adults and for youth on topics of reproductive health, sexuality, HIV and related issues. Information about these resources can be found at http://www.fhi.org/en/Youth/YouthNet/Publications/FLE/index.htm .

Teaching Adults to Communicate with Youth from a Christian Perspective and Teaching Adults to Communicate with Youth from a Muslim Perspective

These manuals contain six workshops designed for a Christian and Muslim audience, respectively. The Participant Handbook contains common questions and answers to facilitate dialogue between adults and young people to ensure correct information is disseminated following workshops. Participants practice communication skills and learn factual information as linked to religious teachings and appropriate Bible and Quran verses. The manuals encourage open discussion about sexuality, reproductive health, and HIV in the context of faith communities. They provide a forum to clarify Christian and Muslim values around these topics, while providing accurate technical information. They are not designed to promote religion. The manuals and handbooks may be downloaded from the site. Hard copies are available on a limited basis.

Teaching Youth about Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS from a Christian Perspective

This manual contains 12 short workshops designed for working with youth in a Christian faith community. The manual provides basic information on communication, development, sexuality, reproductive health, HIV, and related issues.

Community Faith-based Regional Initiative for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (FABRIC)

The Community Faith-Based Regional Initiative for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (FABRIC) is a five-year partnership (begun in 2005) between FHI and three umbrella faith-based organizations in Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. It is supported by PEPFAR funds through USAID. The objective of the program is to strengthen and expand services for orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC). A key component of the program is capacity building of the three umbrella FBOs and their grantees. The initiative uses sustainable strategies to provide comprehensive OVC care and support. FHI provides funding to the umbrella FBOs and helps them to manage and monitor small grants to their local congregations and other community-based groups to provide OVC care and support covering such vital services as education, nutrition, psychosocial support, preventive health care and household economic strengthening. A brochure about the FABRIC program can be found at http://www.fhi.org/en/HIVAIDS/Projects/index.htm. Further information can be found at http://www.cyberway.co.za/pepfar.

The FHI FABRIC partners are:

Namibia - Church Alliance for Orphans (CAFO - http://www.cafo-namibia.org). CAFO, the only interdenominational faith-based organization in the country focused on OVC, is a national network closely affiliated with the Council of Churches in Namibia that has operated since 2003. CAFO encourages and helps Namibian churches and other faith-based organizations provide comprehensive emotional, spiritual and material care and support to OVC. More information can be found at http://www.fhi.org/en/HIVAIDS/country/Namibia/res_CAFO.htm.

South Africa - Southern Africa Catholic Bishop's Council (SACBC - http://www.sacbc.org.za). FHI’s main sub partner is SACBC. A significant portion of SACBC’s funding under this project is distributed to local CBOs and FBOs who provide direct care and support services to OVC.

Zambia - Expanded Church Response (ECR). Information about ECR and the FABRIC project can be obtained from the Zambia Prevention, Care and Treatment Partnership by emailing cmukwakwa@zpct.org.

 

WORKING WITH FBOs: SPREADING THE MESSAGE

A recently published Capacity Project (http://www.capacityproject.org) document makes the case for Working with Faith-based Organizations to Strengthen Human Resources for Health. The document, written by Craig Hafner of CCIH member IMA World Health, makes the case for partnering with FBOs and NFBHNs (National Faith-based Health Networks) to tackle the human resources for health crisis in Africa. The document uses the example of the Christian Health Association Technical Working Group (TWG) on Human Reesources for Health. The TWG has been reported on several times in the CCIH bulletin, most recently in the February issue (http://www.ccih.org/0207.htm#5). It is encouraging to see this message being spread in the secular environment of a USAID-sponsored project and website. This document may be seen by many people who may have had very little contact with FBOs or who may have less-than-positive notions of how FBOs work. It may help to encourage more people to consider partnerships with faith-based organizations. The document may be viewed at http://www.capacityproject.org/images/stories/files/fbo.pdf. For further information on IMA World Health's involvement in the Capacity Project contact Craig at chafner@capacityproject.org. For information on the TWG contact Charles Franzén at charlesfranzen@interchurch.org.

 

CCIH AFFILIATE VESTERGAARD FRANDSEN FEATURED IN NEWSWEEK

The June 18 U.S. issue of NEWSWEEK magazine featured a full page article on one of CCIH's Affiliates, Vestergaard Frandsen Inc., focusing on their most recent product, the LifeStraw, an inexpensive water filter with the potential of significantly reducing morbidity and mortality related to water-borne diseases. 

Vestergaard Fransen, http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com , is a for-profit Danish company headquartered in Switzerland with a U.S. office in Arlington, Virginia, that manufactures long lasting insecticide treated bednets and other products with health and social purposes. Their CCIH contact is John Scicchitano, jss@vestergaard-frandsen.com . 

Vestergaard Fransen sees faith-based organizations as major partners in getting life saving technologies to communities. They already work with several CCIH members in their disease prevention efforts.  Here is a quote from their application to become a CCIH Affiliate:

With growing responsibility in global society, Vestergaard Frandsen wants to fulfill the demand for disease control textiles. While we innovate, produce, and sell these products of the highest possible quality at the lowest possible price, we also want to assure that the products are used effectively to fight malaria and other vector-borne diseases. Faith-based organizations play a crucial role in this effort, for while Vestergaard Frandsen is a decentralized company with most of our global staff in Africa, we can not reach grassroots communities like FBOs can.

To read the Newsweek article, entitled Water for the World, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19121634/site/newsweek.

 

CCIH PUBLISHES EMPLOYMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS EVERY MONTH

In every issue of the monthly bulletin, CCIH publishes both employment vacancies among its members and affiliates and notices of individual CCIH members seeking employment. See #21 below. We also send out such notices occasionally via our NEWS listserv. This service is available to all CCIH members and affiliates. Please forward this information to the Human Resources department of your organization - don't miss out on this opportunity to target your messages to the CCIH community!

Please notice that this month we have quite a few CCIH individual members who have placed notices of availability for employment. Take a look at their impressive qualifications!

 

RECENT CCIH LISTSERV MESSAGES

CCIH moderates four listservs: News, AIDS, ABCplus and Hospitals. Anyone can receive messages from these listservs by subscribing online at the CCIH website. As a service to our members who may not be on the listservs, we will be listing the most recent messages every month in the bulletin. An archive of messages sent from each listserv is accessible through the links listed below.

CCIH-News - http://www.ccih.org/pipermail/news_ccih.org

June

  • CCIH Monthly Prayer Calendar - June 2007
  • G8 leaders of rich nations commit $60 billion to fight AIDS and other diseases
  • MEDIAGLOBAL: Faith-Based Organizations playing vital role in global development
  • CCIH Affiliate Vestergaard Fransen water filter featured in NEWSWEEK magazine
  • Employment Availability and Opportunity Announcements
  • Focus on faith-based organizations at recent World Health Assembly in Geneva
  • Campaign calls for African governments to allocate 15% of budgets to health
  • U.S. Supreme Court rejects effort to hamper government funding of FBOs

May

  • Episcopal Relief & Development works through African churches to control malaria
  • CCIH Monthly Prayer Calendar - May 2007
  • World Bank launches health, nutrition, and population strategy - FBOs recognized
  • CCIH & Community Health Global Network (CHGN)
  • World Council of Churches news release on rational use of medicines
  • WHO study documents key role of FBOs in scaling up response to health and AIDS
  • Invitation: join Spirit of Alma Ata Caucus on community-based primary healthcare

CCIH-AIDS -http://www.ccih.org/pipermail/aids_ccih.org

June

  • G8 leaders of rich nations commit $60 billion to fight AIDS and other diseases
  • Caritas AIDS advisor observes growing recognition of church's contribution to halting AIDS
  • Australian judge alleges that religion hinders U.N. effort to combat AIDS
  • 70 key PEPFAR documents, previously confidential, now available to the public

May

  • WHO study documents key role of FBOs in scaling up response to health and AIDS

CCIH-ABCplus - http://www.ccih.org/pipermail/abcplus_ccih.org

June

  • U.S. PEPFAR program and the earmark for abstinence-until-marriage activities
  • New U.S. study questions effectiveness of comprehensive sex education
  • 70 key PEPFAR documents, previously confidential, now available to the public

May

  • Southern Africa study looks at attitudes toward condoms in culture and church
  • Concurrent multiple sexual partners may explain high HIV prevalence in So Africa
  • More on Helen Epstein's new book on the importance of partner reduction

CCIH-Hospitals - http://www.ccih.org/pipermail/hospitals_ccih.org

May

  • World Council of Churches news release on rational use of medicines

 

ONLINE INFORMATION FOR RECRUITING USAID CONSULTANTS

CCIH has discovered an online listing of U.S. government recruitment of consultants, or Personal Service Contractors. For a listing of consultant opportunities sought by USAID and other federal agencies, go to http://www1.fbo.gov/spg/index.html. For example, over a hundred positions are listed for USAID, both in Washington and overseas.

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CCIH COMMUNITY

As a service to CCIH Organizational and Individual Members and to CCIH Affiliates, we provide a section in our monthly informational dispatches devoted to publicizing jobs. Organizations are welcome to announce positions for which they are recruiting and individuals seeking jobs are invited to publicize their availability. Notices should be short – only one or two paragraphs – and provide appropriate contact information such as mailing address, email address, website, and/or phone number. Please send announcements to Sharon Franzén at sfranzen@ccih.org.

Seeking Employment:

Dr. Farai Charasika, MD, MS - Dr. Charasika is an international family physician with a Master’s of Science in International Health Policy and Management. He is seeking a position in HIV/AIDS, Malaria or TB program management or, alternatively, in health systems analysis, reforms and quality improvement. He has extensive clinical training and experience in Pediatric and adult HIV management, Malaria and TB public programs, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, Adult Radiotherapy and Oncology, General Pediatrics, Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. Dr. Charasika has management experience in young adult HIV programs and life skills training, HIV clinic management and central and district hospital ward management. Dr. Charasika may be contacted by telephone at 781-654-6874 or by email at fcharas@brandeis.edu.

Dr. David Sorley MD, MPH - Dr. David Sorley MD, MPH is seeking short overseas consultancies in community health, epidemiology, HIV/AIDS programs or substance abuse. He has worked in eastern Africa for over 31 years and is fluent in Amharic, Assamese, English, Hindi and Swahili so has a preference for South Asia or eastern Africa.  He will be available after July 2007 when he retires from the IMB (SBC) and can be reached at his home in St. Paul, Minnesota at 651-765-0101 or by e-mail ddsorley@gmail.com.

Daniel W. Martin, MSPH - After a hiatus from public health where I have worked in computer systems and databases, I am looking to re-enter my chosen field.  I have an MSPH from Loma Linda with a concentration in International Health & Community Development.  I have eight years of experience as a public health advisor with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, specializing in immunization and sexually transmitted disease in Los Angeles County (much of the time with a Spanish-speaking population), and Data for Decision Making projects in Zambia, Bolivia, and Russia.  I also have two years' experience in maintenance training and water project development at Shirati Mennonite Hospital in Tanzania.  I have conducted evaluations of USAID-funded child survival and maternal/child health projects in Malawi and Kenya, and I have done short-term mission work in Honduras (health clinic, Habit for Humanity) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (public health and computer assistance).  I am conversational in Spanish and Kiswahili, in addition to being a native English speaker. I am willing to consider positions based in the U.S. or overseas and am willing and able to travel, with the proviso that I need a position/location combination which would support the needs of my young family, including one child with special needs. I will be happy to supply a resume and/or samples of recent papers/presentations to interested parties. Contact information: dan-janine@sbcglobal.net.

Stephanie Crovelli, BA, MPH - Stephanie has a BA in anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an MPH in international health from New York Medical College. She is seeking a career in community health research and is particularly interested in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting health statistics; conducting surveys and interviews; and writing community needs assessments. Stephanie’s vision as a Catholic cultural anthropologist and public health professional is to provide information to others on the demographics, culture, and health status of communities so that effective and culturally-sensitive public health projects and programs can be designed, developed, and implemented. To contact Stephanie, please call 720-771-2377 or email her at sacovelli@yahoo.com.

Recruiting:

Samaritan’s Purse

The following employment opportunities are available with CCIH member Samaritan’s Purse, located in Boone, North Carolina. For further information about these and other opportunities please go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/EmploymentListings_Index.asp.

HIV/AIDS Program Director
Description: Immediate opening for a visionary manager with an understanding of HIV/AIDS issues facing the worldwide church. Directs Prescription for Hope, the HIV/AIDS initiative of Samaritan's Purse, within the Ministry; networks with bilateral donors and partners; oversees program strategy with field offices and partners; coordinates, develops, implements and manages team staff and their activities; networks with Christian and secular organizations, Samaritan's Purse international offices, and HIV/AIDS professionals from groups such as USAID, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund.

HIV/AIDS Church Mobilization Program Manager
Description: This position will serve with Prescription for Hope, the HIV/AIDS Team of Samaritan’s Purse, responsible for organizing and managing HIV/AIDS church mobilization activities in multiple countries. The HIV/AIDS Church Mobilization Program Manager focuses on coordinating, developing, implementing and managing the Prescription for Hope workshop strategy alongside advisory committees. Attention must be given to building capacity in local church leaders on the committees and in further designing program follow up plans. Position is open immediately for a motivated self-starter with excellent communication and networking skills, and an understanding of HIV/AIDS issues. Critical thinking skills, international experience, and creativity are a must.

Regional Director, West Africa
Description: Immediate need for an individual to develop, implement and maintain field office and projects procedures and policies for Samaritan's Purse activities in West Africa. Position based at Samaritan's Purse international headquarters in Boone, NC, with frequent travel to the region to assess projects, enforce policy, confirm inventory, and interface with field staff. Position also responsible for field research, reporting on field activities, approval of new projects and their financial requirements, overseeing of financial reporting, and compilation of records. Proficiency in French is preferred, but not required.

MAP International

CCIH member MAP International (http://www.map.org) promotes the Total Health of people living in the world's poorest communities by partnering to provide essential medicines, promote community health development, and prevent and mitigate disease, disaster and other health threats. MAP has three global programs (International Medical Resources, Humanitarian Affairs and Relief Office, and MAP Medical Fellowships), as well as program offices in three countries in Africa, three in Latin America and one in Asia. For the current fiscal year, the cash expense budget for MAP programs is over $7 million and gifts-in-kind is over $300 million. A more detailed description of the position advertised below can be found at http://www.map.org/site/PageServer?pagename=contact_Employment#mdcrd.

Director, Major Donor and Corporate Relations
Location: Atlanta, Georgia; Description: The Major Donor and Corporate Relations Team (Team) is charged with identifying, cultivating and soliciting new and renewed major gifts (defined as $3,000 and more) from individuals, corporations, foundations, churches and organizations. The Members of the team are senior fundraisers (7) with regional responsibilities working from home-offices or satellite offices Each team member is responsible for a donor and prospect portfolio and charged with annual goals: 1) to increase the number of donors; 2) to increase number of gifts; and 3) to increase total revenue. Support team members (2) provide research and administrative support. The Director is responsible for the leadership of the Major Donor Team. By guiding the development of strategic plans, the implementing annual operating plans, and managing the plans against targets, the Director is responsible for the overall supervision of the field team. She/he is also assigned a portfolio of key donor relationships. This is a hands-on position requiring domestic and international travel.

This position is being recruited for MAP International by Global Recruitment Specialists. To apply for this position please email a cover letter and your resume/CV to: Helena Brykarz, Contract Recruiter Global Recruitment Specialists, P.O. Box 7382, Berkeley, California (CA) 94707 USA; Tel / Fax: 510-527-3316; Email: HBrykarz@GlobalRecruitment.net.

Compassion International

In response to the Great Commission, CCIH member Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com) exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. For further information and to apply, contact Jeanette Lee, Executive Recruiter, AGORA Consulting: 719-219-0360, jeanette@agoraconsulting.com.

Global Staff Development Director
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Description: Responsible for all staff training and development and performance management systems across Compassion. Acts as a consultant to management on these issues and leads the effort to instill a culture of continuous learning (utilizing technology and innovation) at Compassion. Works across multiple locations in global, multi-cultural environments. Influence reaches across all Compassion offices, domestic and international, impacting a staff of over 1500 worldwide, in 26 countries

Desired Skills : Preference will be given to candidates who have/are:

  • Seasoned expertise in management development, employee training and development, and performance management.
  • Recent experience with managing the launch and implementation of a major LMS preferred, system size for 2000 users.
  • Experience managing developers and CBT project managers. Hands on development of courseware preferred
  • Minimum eight years of human resources experience. Membership in ASTD and SPHR certification is preferred.
  • Mature Christian who demonstrates spiritual leadership.
  • Facilitation and instructional design skills (a must).
  • Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural understanding for relating effectively with employees worldwide. Extensive work in a global corporation.

 

Other Job Opportunities: CCIH maintains a list of the best sources of information on jobs and internships in international health. It includes links to literally hundreds of organizations, Christian and secular, that employ people both internationally and domestically in health. Some of them include jobs in other sectors as well. This list is online http://www.ccih.org/resources/jobs/index.htm. Also, see Bruce Carr’s work at http://www.helpingoverseasdirectory.org. In addition, many CCIH member and affiliate organizations advertise employment, intern and volunteer opportunities on their websites. Other sources of job, internship and scholarship information are the Philanthropy News Digest (http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/jobs) and, for students, the listserv of the University Coalitions for Global Health (http://www.ucgh.org).

 

CCIH MONTHLY PRAYER CALENDAR

CCIH recognizes that prayer is vital to our work and ministry and to the work and ministry of our members as well as all those working in international health. We invite you to use this monthly prayer calendar (which lists a prayer for every day of the month) to pray with us about our work, the work of our members and the needs of the world. Please copy and distribute it freely. The Prayer Calendar is also available on the CCIH homepage (http://www.ccih.org) from the first day of every month. To receive the Prayer Calendar by email at the beginning of each month, subscribe to the CCIH-NEWS listserv on the homepage at http://www.ccih.org.

We encourage suggestions for prayer points for next month's prayer calendar. Please contact Sharon Franzén. Click here to view the June 2007 Prayer Calendar. The July prayer calendar will soon be available at http://www.ccih.org/prayercalendar/July07.pdf.

 

2. CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

JULY 4-7, 2007: PRISON FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL CONVOCATION 2007: WHERE LOVE AND JUSTICE MEET (TORONTO, CANADA)

The international convocation of Prison Fellowship International, the organization founded by Chuck Colson and now working in 110 countries with Christian ministry to prisoners, is organized every four years. PFI brings together judges and former prisoners, chaplains and volunteers, politicians and prison. PFI’s Global Assistance Program mobilizes short-term voluntary medical and technical assistance in response to needs in prisons through national Prison Fellowship organizations. AIDS prevention is an important focus in some countries. For details and to register online, go to http://www.pfi.org.

 

JULY 4-7, 2007: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT: WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON HIV AND AIDS (NAIROBI, KENYA)

This International Women's Summit is actually part of the larger World YWCA Council involving a series of events (see http://www.worldywca.info/index.php/ywca/world_council_07/overview), hosted by World YWCA and YWCA of Kenya. The International Women's Summit (IWS) is organized in collaboration with partner organizations, and is open to participants from other organizations and sectors, including Women living with HIV/AIDS, Community and grassroots leaders, NGO Activists, UN and other multilateral agencies, Government representatives and other policy makers, Private sector representatives, Researchers, Advocates and other stakeholders active in the field of HIV and AIDS.

The Summit commences with a one day Positive Women’s Forum on July 4, 2007, and is followed by three days of intensive discussion and debate, training and networking, as well as fun and inspiration. During the Summit there will be workshops organized around the topics of: Women’s Leadership in response to HIV and AIDS; Policy and Advocacy – moving into action; Intensifying prevention, treatment, care and support for women and girls; Lessons learnt from changing communities; and Positive Living.

The goals of the summit are

  • To highlight the difference women’s leadership is making in response to HIV and AIDS by making visible African and young women’s leadership, at grassroots and community levels, including national, regional and international levels.
  • To build the capacity of leaders and their organizations in undertaking sustainable programs that address cutting-edge issues
  • To raise awareness and mobilize the women’s movement on HIV and AIDS and crosscutting issues and produce the evidence required to affect change at all levels in society
  • To provide the space for networking and the building of strategic partnerships that will broaden the impact of responses to HIV and AIDS at all levels.

There is still time to register for the conference. For further information on the summit go to http://www.worldywca.info/index.php/ywca/world_council_07/iws_women_s_summit.

 

JULY 9-27, 2007: INTERNATIONAL HEALTH IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD: CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY CARE (UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, TUCSON, ARIZONA)

This yearly summer course, begun in 1982 and revised annually, is a multidisciplinary, case-based, problem-solving course preparing fourth-year North American medical students and residents for health care experiences in developing countries. Other health professionals with clinical experience in any medical or public health field may apply as well, but acceptance is limited to the availability of space. Enrollment in the course is limited to 30 (selected by approximately May 1, 2007.) This number allows case-based teaching in 3 groups of 10 students.

This is a full-time (90 class hours), interactive course, with two optional weekend field trips. Faculty are all experienced clinicians from several departments. Visiting medical students receive up to four weeks' elective credit at their home school (which must also arrange the actual overseas preceptorship). The course is designed for students who are actively planning a student or professional experience overseas. Students should be able to document acceptance (pending or final) by an appropriate clinical or community health facility in a developing country. For further information on the summer course and on other global health educational opportunities at the University of Arizona, go to http://www.globalhealth.arizona.edu or contact Dr. Ron Pust at rpust@u.arizona.edu. Dr. Pust is a CCIH member who is happy to share this opportunity with students and professionals motivated by their faith to work overseas.

 

AUGUST 2, 2007 - RESTORING WHOLENESS TO TRAUMATIZED AT-RISK CHILDREN (FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, PASADENA, CA)

This is a pre-conference to the West Coast Healthcare Missions and Ministry Conference. This one-day event sheds light on the world of the at-risk child - children who are homeless, orphaned, sold into the sex trade or are soldiers of war.  Learn what the church's response to the needs of children and learn what you can do to make a difference. For more information, go to http://www.healthcaremissions.org.

 

AUGUST 3 – 4, 2007 –THE 2007 WEST COAST HEALTHCARE MISSIONS AND MINISTRY CONFERENCE - FROM THE WHOLE CHURCH TO THE WHOLE WORLD: GLOBAL AND LOCAL HEALTH (FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, PASADENA, CA)

The 2007 conference combines two Southern California conferences which were held in 2006, the Urban Health Ministry Conference (sponsored by World Impact LA) and the Healthcare Ministry and Missions Conference at Fuller Theological Seminary.  The new conference is geared towards meeting the educational needs of Christian physicians, dentists, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, public health workers, mission pastors, parachurch workers, students and all other healthcare professionals, who are interested in global and/or urban healthcare (medical) missions. For more information, go to http://www.healthcaremissions.org.

 

AUGUST 17-19, 2007: PRE-ICAAP-8 INTRA- AND INTER-FAITH CONFERENCE (COLOMBO, SRI LANKA)

This gathering is a Pre-Conference to the ICAAP-8 Conference (see next event) organized by the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA) and supported by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA – http://www.cca.org.hk) and CCIH member the World Council of Churches (WCC – http:// www.wcc-coe.org ). The aim of the Intra-faith meeting is to enable people of the same faith from across Asia to meet to bond, to share experiences, to become familiar with each others’ work, and to present a united front in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The Inter-faith meeting will allow participants of differing faiths to share the outcomes of their Intra-faith meeting, to share ideas about best practices, to encourage the different faiths to liaise with one another, and to produce an Inter-faith Joint Statement which will be read at the inaugural session of ICAAP. Information on registration for the Pre-conference will be available soon.

 

AUGUST 19-23, 2007: 8th ICAAP - INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON AIDS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (COLOMBO, SRI LANKA)

The theme of the 8th ICAAP is Waves of Change, Waves of Hope. Waves of Change signify many things happening at the same time, taking into account the past, to create a unified effort. There is a mass of activity that needs to be carried out to change the world; creating a ripple-effect that would encompass the whole globe, adapted to suit each environment. The 8th ICAAP logo is fused with color representing the various communities involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS and the integrated, multi- disciplinary response that is needed. The theme in its entirety gives the powerful imagery of a sea of humanity sharing a common vision to create a better world, a world free from AIDS. Between 2500 and 3500 people are expected to attend the meeting.

The Scientific Sessions of 8th ICAAP - the heart of the Congress - will feature eight concurrent sessions, three times per day. There will be 36 skills building workshops alongside the scientific sessions, with morning and pre lunch plenaries setting the pace for the day. The 8th ICAAP welcomes late breaker abstracts for Oral Sessions and Poster Presentations. Abstracts must be submitted online by June 30.

For more information on the 8th ICAAP, go to http://www.icaap8.lk. Registration information may be found at http://www.icaap8.lk/registrationMain.html. Regular registration rates are now in effect.

 

OCTOBER 17, 2007 - DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FOR 2008 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL HEALTH

The 35th International Conference on Global Health, sponsored by the Global Health Council, will take place May 27-31, 2008. The theme of next year's conference is Community Health: Delivering, Serving, Engaging, Leading. The official call for abstracts will be available on the GHC website, http://www.globalhealth.org, in July 2007.

 

NOVEMBER 4 – 7, 2007 – AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING (WASHINGTON, DC)

The APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition is the oldest and largest gathering of public health professionals in the world, attracting more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists, and related health specialists. APHA's meeting program addresses current and emerging health science, policy, and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health. Participants have an opportunity to learn from the experts in the field, hear about cutting edge research and exceptional best practices, discover the latest public health products and services, and share their public health experiences with peers.

Registration for the meeting is now open. Early bird rates are in effect until August 23. For more information about the annual meeting, go to http://www.apha.org/meetings.

 

NOVEMBER 8 – 10, 2007 – GLOBAL MISSIONS HEALTH CONFERENCE (SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, LOUISVILLE, KY)

The Global Missions Health Conference began in 1996 as a way to bring Christian healthcare professionals and students together to network with missions and ministry experts. From its first gathering of a couple hundred people, the conference has grown to become the largest of its kind in the world, drawing more than 2,000 each year.

An interactive pre-conference each year encourages participants to develop strategies on various medical missions issues such as HIV/AIDS, and holistic healing. Plenary speakers at the conference come from both small and large para-church organizations, prominent medical and research schools, and government and church leaders. In addition to main sessions, the conference offers dozens of breakout sessions in smaller, often interactive formats. Many sessions are offered with continuing education credit. The conference also provides a selection of spiritually edifying experiences such as worship and prayer. And there is an abundant amount of time dedicated to networking.

For more information about the conference, go to http://www.medicalmissions.com.

 

NOVEMBER 19-22, 2007 - ASIA CUTTING EDGE: THE CHILD OUTSIDE THE DOOR (BANGKOK, THAILAND)

Asia Cutting Edge is the meeting place of the Christian movement for children at risk in Asia. It is organized by the Viva Network (http://www.viva.org, see # below). The Conference will enable leaders, decision makers and senior staff of Christian organizations and churches engaged with children to meet. It will advance work that enables children to be all they can be as God intends. Conference participants will be key drivers of the children at risk agenda in their own organizations. They include decision makers and senior staff from a wide range of organizations concerned for children, national, regional and international church leaders, child specialists, seminarians and academics. For more information on the conference, go to http://www.asia.viva.org/asiace. This is an invitation-only event: If you or a colleague would like an invitation to this event please write to the conference coordinator at asiace2007@viva.org.

 

NOVEMBER 28 - 30, 2007 – GLOBAL SUMMIT ON AIDS AND THE CHURCH (SADDLEBACK CHURCH, LAKE FOREST, CA)

The Global Summit on AIDS and the Church was begun in 2005 by Rick and Kay Warren. It is the only event that joins church leaders and members together with faith-based organizations and experts from public and private sectors.

Spanning three days, summit participants will have an incredibly unique opportunity to hear from the foremost leaders addressing the AIDS pandemic. From medical developments to political action to on-the-ground relief workers, the resources at your fingertips will be unmatched as you connect with others working to end this disease. This summit will also provide participants with the information and tools needed to discover how congregations, organizations, or agencies can start to make a positive change. Every element of the summit is designed to start conversations and build networking that will make the movement to eradicate AIDS all the stronger.

Also offered this year for the first time are a choice of Pre-Summit sessions on the morning of November 28 and a Global Youth Post-Summit session on December 1 in the morning.
 
Registration is now open but space is limited. Early registration ends July 31, 2007. Local hotels are offering a limited number of rooms at a special conference rate. Go to http://www.purposedriven.com/en- US/HIVAIDSCommunity/GlobalConference/Initiative.htm for more information.

 

AUGUST 3–8, 2008 – INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE (MEXICO CITY, MEXICO)

The International AIDS Conference is the world’s largest HIV/AIDS forum, with over 20,000 participants, including 2,500 journalists. As the first International AIDS Conference to be held in Latin America, the XVII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008) is expected to increase awareness of the disease and its impact throughout the region. Planning for AIDS 2008 is now underway, with planning committees organized along the three main program areas: the Scientific Program, the Community Program and the Leadership Program. Organizers are committed to creating a far-reaching program featuring the latest developments in HIV research, prevention and treatment, with continued attention given to the dangers of HIV-related stigma, discrimination and misinformation.

For further information about the conference, go to http://www.aids2008.org. For information about the International AIDS Society, go to http://www.iasociety.org.

 

DECEMBER 8-11, 2008 - 15th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN AFRICA –ICASA (DAKAR, SENEGAL)

The 15th ICASA Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Gabon in 2007, will now be held in Senegal in December 2008. With more than 5,000 delegates from across the globe, ICASA 2008 will be organized by the Society on AIDS in Africa (SAA) under the patronage of the Government of Senegal. The initial planning has already begun. Keep an eye on the conference website, http://www.icasadakar2008.org, for further information.

 

ADDITIONAL CONFERENCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

For an extensive list of conferences of interest to or about medical missions (or to give notice about an upcoming conference) visit the website of CCIH Affiliate, Medical Mission Exchange, at http://www.mmex.org/conferences.aspx.

King College Center for Global Health Care, a CCIH member, operates the Peeke School of Christian Mission which offers workshops all year round on a variety of topics in health and Christian missions. For information on upcoming workshops go to http://www.king.edu/Academics/Schools/pscm/cghc/workshops.asp.

For lists of other upcoming public health conferences (both secular and faith-based):

 

3. OTHER NEWS AND RESOURCES

FORMER MEDICAL MISSIONARY TO NEPAL APPOINTED AS UNAIDS CONTACT WITH FBOs

UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - http://www.unaids.org) has appointed Sally Smith as the new Partnerships Advisor to replace Calle Almedal, who retired.  An important part of Sally’s role will be to act as the key contact point for UNAIDS' partnership work with faith-based organizations. In addition she will work across civil society sectors on strengthened AIDS responses.

In announcing her appointment, Andy Seale, Chief of Civil Society Partnerships at UNAIDS, stated that the caliber of applicants for the position is an indication of the vitality of AIDS work among FBOs. Sally, along with her husband Ian Smith who is currently an advisor to the Director-General of WHO, worked 16 years as medical missionaries with the United Mission to Nepal.

Sally, who is a friend of CCIH, sends occasional emails with information and reports on AIDS of interest to FBOs.  If you would like to receive these messages, send her a request at smiths@unaids.org .

 

VIVA NETWORK: CARING FOR CHILDREN AT RISK

The following information about Viva Network (http://www.viva.org) was sent to us by CCIH member Dick Stellway. Dick has recently accepted the leadership of the CCIH Orphans and Vulnerable Children Working Group. For further information about the working group or the Viva Network, please contact Dick at rjslink@mindspring.com or aids@viva.org.

Viva Network, one of the organizations highlighted (by Dick Stellway) during a plenary session of the recent CCIH Annual Conference, is a global movement of Christians passionately concerned for 'children at risk', committed to every child having the opportunity to become all that God intends. Rather than starting more children's projects, Viva seeks to create and sustain networks among people already working with 'children at risk', so that more children get better help. Networking facilitates strategic joint planning and action. It prevents resource wastage and accelerates program growth, increasing capacity so that more children receive better care. For a detailed look at the value of networks in support of this issue, see Dick’s power point presentation from the CCIH conference at http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0607files/Networking_to_Improve_the_Christian_Response.ppt.

With headquarters in Oxford, U.K., Viva has regional centers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America and is involved with 81 network initiatives in 48 countries helping approximately 1.2 million children. As an NGO, Viva Network is in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Viva provides tools to Enhance the Christian Response, including;

Issue-Based Forums – In addition to geography-based networks, Viva oversees ongoing topical collaborations around issues of common concern, e.g. street and working children, and the girl child. (Asha Forum - on sexual exploitation and trafficking, http://www.asha.viva.org; AIDS Forum - on Children and HIV and AIDS, http://www.viva.org/aids).

The Viva Report – This project uses mapping research to document, on a global scale, the nature and extent of the Church’s response to children at risk. The first report, to be produced this year, will document over 10,000 grass roots organizations making a positive daily impact on the welfare of children at risk.

The Quality Improvement System (QIS) – This tool helps children at risk projects assess their critical training needs by measuring their current practice against recognized standards. A certificate of achievement is granted to projects showing progress gained.

Viva Journals for Practitioners - Chris-Caba Journal (Christians Responding to Children Affected by AIDS) features articles and reviews targeted at busy practitioners. For current and back issues, go to http://www.viva.org/aids. For a free complimentary subscription write aids@viva.org. Restore (http://www.asia.viva.org/restore) a tool for people engaged in holistic childcare ministry

Global Prayer Mobilization - Viva publishes an on-line prayer diary and an annual booklet containing case studies and statistics, prayer topics and activities to promote the International Day of Prayer for Children at Risk which occurs on the first weekend of June (http://www.viva.org/?page_id=40).

Upcoming Conferences of the Viva Network include:

  • Asia Cutting Edge 2007, November 19-22, Bangkok, Thailand . The conference theme is "The Child Outside the Door: Strengthening Christian Responses to Invisible and Marginalized Children in Asia." Some 300 leaders of Christian ministry to children at risk in Asia are expected to attend. For information on this invitational conference, write to the Conference Coordinator at asiace2007@viva.org. For more information see #33 above.
  • International Cutting Edge 2008, July, Wheaton, Illinois, USA. (Further details forthcoming.)

   

SPECIAL SALE (2/3 OFF) ON HANDBOOK OF MEDICINE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The U.S. Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA) is offering their widely used Handbook of Medicine in Developing Countries for only $10 when purchased in bulk. This compares to the original retail price of $29.95. A case of 14 copies can be purchased for $140, or single copies at a discounted price of $20, on CMDA’s online bookstore at http://www.cmda.org/index.cgi?BISKIT=553268021&CONTEXT=art&cat=16&art=451. The 458-page volume’s 20 chapters and six appendices cover the medical challenges typically faced in clinical medicine in developing countries.

If you would like a single copy for $15 to a U.S. mailing address, covering shipping and mailing costs, let CCIH know at martinrs@aol.com, and we will order in bulk if enough orders are received.

  

NOW AVAILABLE - INMED INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE: ADVANCE PREPARATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

The INMED On-Line International Medicine Course has enrolled 120 individuals since its beginning about six months ago. Now by popular demand, the book version, INMED International Medicine, is available for purchase. This unique text covers the essential information necessary for success in medical missions, including International Health Issues, Diseases of Poverty, Cross-Cultural Skills, and Health Leadership. CME credit is also available for reading the book and taking an on-line examination. Readers can earn Continuing Education Credit (CME/CEU) for studying this book and taking the on-line examination. A 60-day subscription to the on-line International Medicine Course is also included. The book costs $28 including shipping and handling. For more information on the book, go to the INMED website, http://www.inmed.us, and follow the links for resources.

 

EUROPEANS ESTABLISH NEW MALARIA WEBSITE

The European Alliance Against Malaria has launched a new website (http://www.europeanallianceagainstmalaria.org) focusing on European efforts in the global fight against malaria. The European Alliance Against Malaria is a committed group of civil society organizations from Brussels, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom all working in the field of global health and development. The aim of the Alliance is to employ advocacy to increase funding and improve malaria programs, demanding rigorous and resolute action to fight malaria as part of global efforts to reduce poverty and meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with special emphasis on MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. The Alliance's new website will provide government officials and decision makers, members of civil society and media professionals with a wealth of information, materials, best practices and events organized to raise awareness of and policy solutions to eliminate barriers to malaria prevention. The website is presented in English, German, French and Spanish. A bi-monthly newsletter is planned, with the first edition coming in July.

 

DONORS AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF FBOs IN HEALTH DEVELOPMENT

FBOs lament that donors and international institutions frequently overlook the major role played by FBOs in developing countries, but the situation is slowly changing. Four recent examples are given here, dealing with the World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org), WHO (http://www.who.int/en), The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS -http://www.unaids.org), and the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA - http://www.unfpa.org).

1. World Bank

The World Bank launched a new health, nutrition, and population strategy with a strong focus on strengthening health systems, stating that one key approach to strengthening health systems is by "enhancing public-private partnerships (e.g., with community and / or faith-based organizations) in the delivery of services to complement each other and reduce supply gaps."  The 193-page document, accessible online at http://www.worldbank.org/hnp, is entitled Healthy Development: The World Bank’s Strategy for Health, Nutrition, and Population Results. 

One manifestation of the Bank’s recognition of the role of FBOs is that they invited Ray Martin, CCIH executive director and a former World Bank employee, to a day long brainstorming session early on in their conceptualization process for this new strategy. He emphasized a) the importance of not overlooking FBOs in Bank financing, and b) the need to support community-based approaches to health. The document also acknowledges the advice and contributions of Dr. Carl Stecker and Dr. Elena McEwan of CCIH member Catholic Relief Services.

2. World Health Organization

At the recent Global Health Council conference, the new Director for Partnerships for WHO asked to meet with CCIH to brainstorm about how WHO might engage more productively with FBOs.

3. UNAIDS

See item #38 above on the appointment of former missionary Sally Smith, smiths@unaids.org, as the new Partnerships Advisor with an important part of her role to be the key contact point for UNAIDS' partnership work with faith-based organizations.  Also Pauline Muchina, muchinap@unaids.org, UNAIDS Senior Women and AIDS Advocacy Officer is an African theologian and a close friend of CCIH. UNAIDS is in regular communication with CCIH and other FBOs.

4. UNFPA

Listed here are three excerpts from the presentation by Dr. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), at the 2007 World Health Assembly in Geneva. She has spoken to CCIH about her interest in greater collaboration with FBOs, and sent a UNFPA staffer to a CCIH annual conference. A 100-page UNFPA monograph, entitled Culture Matters – Working with Communities and Faith-based Organizations, can be accessed at http://www.unfpa.org/publications/index.cfm?ID=172

-- And we need to engage civil society and religious institutions that deliver much of the health and education services at the community level, to join us in being part of the solution because working together brings greater results.

-- Therefore, it is important to stress that if we are to make greater progress, we have to strengthen our alliances and support national efforts to move ahead. Building alliances means every institution that provides services to communities-- national institutions, non-governmental, civil society, religious and faith-based organizations.

-- But there is also another strong champion for women and their health-that is the men in their lives, whether they are fathers, brothers, husbands, partners, teachers, doctors, leaders of churches, mosques and temples and most of all, you, Ministers of Health, and many of you are men. Men need to feel morally compelled to be engaged and supportive because they are also part of the solution.

 

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTATION OF MAJOR ROLE OF FBOs IN HEALTH SECTOR

CCIH reported at length in the February 2007 (http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0207.htm#13) bulletin on the WHO-funded study in Lesotho and Zambia which showed that from 30% to 70% of health services are provided by faith-based organizations, and that FBOs are major providers of AIDS treatment, care, and prevention services. The WHO officer behind the study, The Rev. Canon Ted Karpf, Partnerships Officer in the WHO’s Department of HIV/AIDS, wrote an article reporting further on this landmark research.  His email address is karpft@who.int. Ted participated in the 2005 annual CCIH conference. The article, entitled Community Realities in Africa Show FBO Partnership Key to Global Scale-Up, was published in the June 1, 2007, issue of the Global Health Council's AIDSLink, accessible online at http://www.globalhealth.org/publications/contents.php3?id=1.

Karpf concludes that "it is essential that WHO continues to encourage government ministries to engage constructively and creatively with FBOs, which are providing health and support services for those living with HIV. The public health system and those operating religious health assets must seek out one another and find ways to open a conversation and explore the health of their communities and nations."

 

WHO AND STOP TB PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH DRUG-RESISTENT TB PROGRAM

On June 22 the World Health Organization (WHO - http://www.who.int/en) and the STOP TB Partnership (http://www.stoptb.org) launched the Global MDR-TB and XDR-TB Response Plan 2007-2008, designed to prevent, treat and control extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). The plan calls for an immediate increase in basic TB control and in the targeting of investment in key areas, including: strengthening programs to treat drug- resistant TB; building capacity in diagnostic laboratories; expanding infection control and surveillance; and funding research into new and improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. The plan also details a strategy for increasing the number of fully-equipped TB laboratories in countries with high levels of TB with the goal of increasing by a factor of 10 the number of MDR-TB cases detected and the number of MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients being treated and cured under WHO guidelines. The ultimate goal of the plan is to provide access to drugs and diagnostic tests by 2015 to all MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients. The total budget for the two-year plan is US$ 2.15 billion, of which 80% is for country-specific needs. US$ 102 million is for essential support functions to fight TB drug resistance by international partners, including WHO and the Stop TB Partnership, at global, regional and national levels. For more information on this new program, go to http://www.who.int/tb/features_archive/global_response_plan/en/index.html.

 

MEDIAGLOBAL: BRINGING THE ISSUES OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE TO THE FOREFRONT

If you are looking to go beyond the established media agencies of our time to obtain relevant local and international information about the issues affecting the people you serve, consider logging on to MediaGlobal at http://mediaglobal.org. MediaGlobal is a nonprofit media company designed to create awareness and a positive image in the global media of the suffering of poor and vulnerable countries on issues of poverty, disease, hunger and earth changes. The company is particularly focused on Africa's ten poorest countries: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, and Sierra Leone. The articles are timely and informative and often provide news on subjects that don't necessarily make it into the mainstream news. MediaGlobal operates a free email service in addition to the news on its website and its RSS feed.

MediaGlobal has also partnered with the United Nations on the Global Media Contract, an effort "to assist newspaper editors, broadcasters, and owners of media companies in advancing human development by featuring stories that raise international awareness of issues of poverty, disease, and hunger in the most vulnerable countries in Africa."

In June MediaGlobal published an article called "Faith-Based Organizations playing vital role in global development" (http://mediaglobal.org/index.php/2007/06/04/faith-based-organizations-playing-vital-role-in-global-development). The author interviewed Terri Hasdorff, Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at USAID, who shared her experiences with faith-based organizations and the role they are currently playing in development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN KENYA REAFFIRMS STANCE AGAINST CONDOMS

Bishop Philip Sulumeti of Kakamega Diocese, chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference’s Commission for Health, opened the first national Catholic conference on HIV and AIDS on June 25. Bishop Sulumeti confirmed that the Catholic church is against all forms of contraception. Even in the case of discordant couples, he indicated the church's position would not change, saying that "one of them will have to sacrifice for the sake of the other". Fellow bishop Alfred Rotich called on church leaders "to assist discordant and infected couples to form their consciences with regard to how they will live out their marital relationship, and make decisions that are life enhancing and faithful.” He also called on the church to fight the "negative mentality" of stigma and discrimination. The church should "embrace and welcome" those infected with HIV and "help them live responsibly and positively.” Further reporting on the conference can be found through the Catholic Information Service for Africa at http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=2330.

 

MISSION MAKER MAGAZINE AVAILABLE TO PUBLICIZE WORK OF YOUR CHRISTIAN AGENCY

Mission Maker Magazine is a one-of-a-kind, 100-page, full-color annual resource magazine designed to strengthen North American leaders in churches and mission agencies — pastors, teachers, elders, mission committee members, authors, curriculum writers, senders, goers, receivers, equippers, trainers, educators, suppliers, other leaders, and mission college/university candidates.

Mission Maker Magazine is filled with engaging, useful articles and editorial content focusing on strategic partnerships, mission initiatives, medical issues, global issues, mission sending, short-term mission, mission training and equipping and more. For example, the current issue has a nine-page spread on Rick Warren's church-led P.E.A.C.E. plan for development, and articles on AIDS and disaster relief.

You can place an advertisement in the magazine that will work for you year-round, providing exposure that can advance your organization’s marketing goals and increase participation in your programs.

To receive a complimentary magazine and media packet describing its circulation, demographics, placement choices and timeline, email a request to ads@stempress.org . The order deadline for the 2008 issue, published in October, 2007, is August 3. Individuals may request one free copy of the 2008 magazine (one per email and household) by emailing MissionMakerMagazine2008@STEMpress.org before August 1, 2007. More information is available at http://www.missionmakermagazine.org or by calling toll free direct 866-211-0066.

Free magazines (in case lots of 60) are available for your agency to distribute to attendees of your next conference or annual meeting. Your only expense is shipping. Just contact mlwhite@stemintl.org or call toll free direct 877-STEM-646 and ask for Mary Lou.  

 

70 KEY PEPFAR DOCUMENTS, PREVIOUSLY CONFIDENTIAL, NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

CCIH members working with PEPFAR funding or interested in patterns of U.S. funding of FBOs should note that the federal government recently released many previously classified documents as a result of citizen’s groups suing to have the information made public.

They include the Country Operating Plans of all 15 PEPFAR emphasis countries and 31 grants, including all 14 grants of the Abstinence and Healthy Behaviors for Youth (ABY) program, as well as the series of grants for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children program, and a few others such as the Partnership for Supply Chain Management which could involve as much as seven billion (yes, billion) dollars.  The documents detail the total amount of money involved as well as the nature of the programs to be implemented. Grants to seven CCIH members or affiliates are among the documents (Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Family Health International, Food for the Hungry, World Vision, World Relief, Catholic Relief Services, Samaritan's Purse).

Although some budgetary information was withheld by the government, one can find extremely interesting details about the nature of the programs PEPFAR is implementing throughout the world as well as the total amount of money some groups are getting. To access these documents, go to http://www.publicintegrity.org/aids/documents.aspx. 

 

USAID REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR PVOs

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has long recognized the important contribution made by private voluntary organizations (PVOs) to development efforts in the developing world.  PVOs as defined by USAID are tax-exempt non-profit organizations working in international development that receive some portion of their annual revenue from the private sector and receive voluntary contributions of money, staff time or in-kind support from the general public.  Not all non-profit organizations are necessarily PVOs.

U.S. and international PVOs wishing to become eligible for assistance (grants and cooperative agreements) from USAID, and that meet USAID's definition of a PVO, must register with USAID.  USAID may partner with a variety of organizations that do not meet this definition-such as churches, synagogues, mosques or other similar religiously affiliated institutions; universities; private foundations; and hospitals. Under USAID policy however, no funds appropriated under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act may be made available to a PVO, as defined by the first four Conditions of Registration that is not registered with USAID. Disaster assistance funding and funding through subgrants or contracts are not subject to this requirement. The registration requirement does not pertain to local nongovernmental organizations or indigenous PVOs.

PVO Registration helps USAID to identify PVOs engaging in, or intending to engage in, voluntary foreign aid operations ; determine whether PVOs meet certain general operating guidelines and accountability standards ; and certify the eligibility of PVOs to apply for USAID assistance resources, including grants, cooperative agreements, and subventions. Registration has no relevance to programmatic capability, nor does it confer any official status or approval. It is not the purpose of registration to make, or enable to be made, any representation to the public concerning the meaning of being registered.

PVO registration applications are available on USAID’s website at www.usaid.gov USAID Keyword: PVO Registration.  Applicants are encouraged to contact Mary Newton, Registrar at: mnewton@usaid.gov or 202-712-4747 for additional information or assistance.

 

4. GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The following list of grants and other funding opportunities appears monthly. CCIH welcomes information leading to new and varied sources of funding to share with its membership. Please contact Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org. Please note that the list is now divided between entries that have been newly identified this month and those which have been previously listed. We hope that this will assist you in sifting through the information.

 

NEW LISTINGS AND UPDATES

MALARIA CONSORTIUM: INNOVATION GRANTS FOR MALARIA ADVOCACY NEW

The Malaria Consortium is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the control of malaria, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable people in Africa.

The aim of the Innovation Grants for Malaria Advocacy is to promote and support new and original initiatives from civil society organizations (NGOs, academic institutions, media) and community leaders. The grant program, which is supported by GlaxoSmithKline’s African Malaria Partnership, will award grants annually to new initiatives in Africa. In 2007, about $25,000 is available to support up to 5 grants

The Innovation Grants will support ideas and partnerships that aim to reach new audiences in creative ways and tackle difficult issues such as equity, transparency and accountability in Africa . Audiences could include decision makers at national or regional levels, politicians, media persons, ministries, international organizations or local leaders. These grants also aim to encourage the engagement of artists to amplify advocacy messages in African countries.

For more information, visit the website of the Coalition Against Malaria in Ethiopia at http://ethiopia.coalitionagainstmalaria.org/news/00015.html or the webstie of the Malaria Consortium at http://www.malariaconsortium.org.

 

USAID-NEPAL RFA: NEPAL FAMILY HEALTH PROGRAM, PHASE II NEW

Funding Opportunity Number: 367-07-007 RFA

Estimated Total Program Funding: $30,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Application deadline: July 3, 2007

USAID plans to award one five year cooperative agreement. The primary purpose of the program is to improve the delivery and use of public sector family planning, maternal, newborn, child health, and related social services in a manner that supports the Government of Nepal’s (GON) Health Sector Strategy (2004), the Nepal Health Sector Program and Implementation Plan (NHSP-IP) – 2004-2009, and Long Term Health Plan to reduce fertility and mortality.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=13918&mode=VIEW.

 

USAID-TANZANIA RFA: BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND COMMUNICATION IN THE PREVENTION AND CASE MANAGEMENT OF MALARIA IN MAINLAND TANZANIA NEW

Funding Opportunity Number: USAID-TANZANIA-07-005-RFA

Estimated Total Program Funding: $15,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Application deadline: July 17, 2007

 

The purpose of this RFA is to enable USAID/Tanzania to obtain Behavior Change Communication (BCC) services and technical assistance for the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) of Mainland Tanzania. The implementing mechanism will be a competitively awarded cooperative agreement with a locally-represented NGO (or consortium of NGOs) to manage this activity across the Interventions. Because of the need for continuation of BCC activities, the successful applicant is expected to start functioning by July 2007 PMI targets.


For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=14462&mode=VIEW.

 

USAID-UKRAINE RFA: HIV/AIDS SERVICE CAPACITY PROJECT IN UKRAINE DEADLINE ANNOUNCED

Funding Opportunity Number: USAID-UKRAINE-121-07-003-RFA

Estimated Total Program Funding: $12,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Application deadline: August 31, 2007

The overall goal of the project is to reduce transmission of HIV in Ukraine and improve the quality of life of those affected by expanding access to quality HIV/AIDS prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and support services for most at-risk populations (MARPs) including injecting drug users (IDUs), commercial sex workers (CSWs), infants born to HIV-positive women and their families, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), and other more marginalized groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM), and prisoners. The objectives include 1) reducing policy, legal, regulatory and fiscal barriers inhibiting access to quality HIV/AIDS related services; 2) expanding and strengthening continuum-of-care networks of public and civil society service providers; 3) Strengthening institutional capacity of civil society and public sector organizations; 4) implementing pilot approaches for MSM, street children, and prisoners.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=13551&mode=VIEW.

 

USAID APS: GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE NEW

Funding Opportunity Number: M-OAA-EGAT-WID-07-248

Award Ceiling: $500,000

Award Floor: $300,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Application Deadline: June 12, 2008

 

The United States Government, through USAID, is seeking full applications from prospective partners to implement activities in support of creative and timely responses to encourage the abandonment of traditional practices that promote and condone gender-based violence. USAID is specifically interested in those traditional harmful practices that have received limited attention from the development community. The geographic focus under consideration is USAID’s geographic definitions of Africa and Asia & the Near East (ANE).

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=14451&mode=VIEW.

 

 

PREVIOUS LISTINGS

USAID-UKRAINE RFI: SERVICES FOR HIV-AFFECTED CHILDREN IN UKRAINE

Funding Opportunity Number: USAID-UKRAINE-07-002-RFI

Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Archive Date: July 31, 2007

 

This is a Notice of Intent to publish a Request for Application (RFA), which is anticipated in May/June 2007.  The goal of the project is to continue to reduce the negative impact of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine on HIV-affected, –infected and high-risk children, including orphans, children in HIV-affected families, children born to HIV-positive mothers, children in juvenile detention or other institutions and street children by improving family, health and community services, such as increasing family-based care options, reducing child abandonment and improving access to prevention, treatment, care and support, for these children and their families and caregivers.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=13550&mode=VIEW.

 

 

HHS/NIH PA: GLOBAL INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM AWARD

 

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-05-128

Estimated Total Program Funding: $600,000 with an award ceiling of $207,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Dates for Letters of Intent: August 13, 2007

Closing Dates for Applications: September 13, 2007

 

The purpose of this announcement is to invite applications for U.S. and developing country institutions for programs to provide non-HIV/AIDS infectious disease research training to scientists and health professionals in order to build sustainable research capacity at institutions in low- and middle-income endemic countries. Proposals are requested for innovative, collaborative research training programs that would contribute to the long-term goal of building sustainable research capacity in endemic infectious diseases at developing country institutions.

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=3280&mode=VIEW or go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2850.

 

NIH FOA: RESEARCH ON PATHWAYS LINKING ENVIRONMENTS, BEHAVIORS AND HIV/AIDS (R01)

 

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-07-143 (formerly PAR-06-114)

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Application: Multiple Dates, Next due date is September 1, 2007

Archive Date: October 2, 2008

 

This announcement seeks to stimulate innovative approaches to understanding the complex mechanisms involved in the spread of HIV and its consequences in a variety of populations across the globe. Research is invited on the interrelationships among, and pathways linking, social, economic, cultural, and institutional environments; prevalence and patterning of individual behaviors related to HIV risk and prevention; and the prevalence, patterning, and spread of HIV infection in a population. 

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11849&mode=VIEW.

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2982 (although it is still listed as PAR-06-114.)

 

HHS PA: DRUG ABUSE, RISKY DECISION MAKING AND HIV/AIDS (RO1)

Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-07-324

Parallel FOAs: PAS-07-325; PAS-07-326

Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, next deadline is September 7, 2007

This program announcement is intended to stimulate model driven research that will increase understanding of how drugs of abuse or processes of addiction influence decisions about high risk sexual behavior, thereby enhancing vulnerability for acquiring or transmitting HIV. Research supported by this announcement will emphasize interdisciplinary studies that incorporate approaches from psychology, economics, anthropology, sociology, decision sciences, neuroscience and computational modeling.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12452&mode=VIEW. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 3276.

 

NIH FOA: DRUG ABUSE ASPECTS OF HIV/AIDS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-307

Parallel FOAs: PA-07-308; PA-07-309

Estimated Total Program Funding:

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, next deadline is September 7, 2007

 

The purpose of this FOA is to encourage drug abuse research to address the changing dynamics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S and Internationally: studies are needed on how to translate and adapt interventions that have proved effective in the U.S. to other communities and international settings and to learn from other conditions and cultures to inform our understanding of the causes, consequences, and differences in HIV-associated risks, morbidity, and mortality in diverse populations.

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12292&mode=VIEW. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Numbers 3272, 3273, and 3274.

 

NIH FOA: RECENT HIV INFECTION: NEW PREVENTION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-087

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-180 and PA-06-181

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is September 7, 2007

Archive Date: October 2, 2008

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), solicits applications from institutions/organizations that propose innovative basic or applied research that will advance prevention opportunities to reduce transmission risk or minimize neuro-cognitive impairment in persons with recent HIV infection (i.e., 0 - 6 months post-exposure). Project Directors/Principal Investigators are urged to develop new research that extends knowledge of the basic biological processes of acute and early HIV disease to address the specific prevention needs of highly infectious, newly infected persons who may account for a disproportionate share of secondary HIV transmissions.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11635&mode=VIEW.

 

HHS FOA: MEN’S HETEROSEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND HIV INFECTION (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-147

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-353 (R21), PA-06-354 (R03)

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: multiple deadlines, next deadline is September 7, 2007

Archive Date: February 2, 2008

 

This Funding Opportunity Announcement calls for basic social and behavioral science studies on the determinants of the sexual behavior of adult heterosexual men. Improved information on their behaviors can suggest ways to increase men's active participation in preventing the spread of HIV infection and provide program designers with information to improve interventions and prevention strategies. Researchers are asked to focus on social and cultural determinants of heterosexual men's sexual behavior. The PA also invites research exploring how gender is interwoven with biology and psychological and social structural factors (including the economic, institutional, and policy contexts) in influencing heterosexual men's behavior.

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11862&mode=VIEW (R01), http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=9037&mode=VIEW (R03) and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=9035&mode=VIEW (R21). For additional

information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple

and search for fund number 3238.

 

NIH FOA: STRUCTURAL INTERVENTIONS, ALCOHOL USE AND RISK OF HIV/AIDS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-036

Parallel FOAs: PA-07-005 (R21) and PA-07-006 (R03),

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is September 7, 2007

Archive Date: October 2, 2008

 

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, solicits Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) applications from institutions/ organizations that propose to investigate the effectiveness of structural interventions that reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission by changing the environment of alcohol use. Although a variety of structural and environmental interventions have been employed successfully to reduce other drinking-related problems, there has been little research that extends such efforts into the realm of HIV/AIDS risk reduction.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11591&mode=VIEW (R01), http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=11144 (R21) and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11147&mode=VIEW (R03).

 

NIH FOA: RESEARCH ON ALCOHOL AND HIV/AIDS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-028

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is September 7, 2007

Archive Date: February 10, 2010

 

This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/organizations that propose to identify and characterize the role of alcohol, drinking behaviors, and drinking environments in the epidemiology and natural history, pathogenesis, prevention, treatment, and control of HIV/AIDS. The goal is to encourage multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and collaborative studies that focus on a range of epidemiologic and intervention issues within HIV and alcohol.

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11569&mode=VIEW.

 

 

NIH FOA: HIV/AIDS, SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOMELESSNESS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-090

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-180 (R03), PA-06-181 (R21), and PAR-06-248 (R34)

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is September 7, 2007

Archive Date: February 2, 2010

The overall focus of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to refocus research on persons with severe mental illness (SMI), either before or after HIV infection, and to expand HIV-related research to homeless persons. This FOA solicits studies on the SMI population and/or homeless persons with special attention to the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective HIV- prevention interventions and their dissemination and adoption in public health service organizations and the community. An important objective of this FOA is to encourage integration both across and within the different research areas by establishing multidisciplinary research teams and collaborative alliances.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11648&mode=VIEW (R01), http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8239&mode=VIEW (R03), http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8240&mode=VIEW (R21) and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8555&mode=VIEW (R34). For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 3225.

 

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES: SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

Funding Opportunity: up to 5 grants are awarded annually for up to $6000

Closing date for Applications: various, next cycle is October 1, 2007

 

The Small Grants Program is designed to fund pilot research projects by young investigators in developing countries. The goal is to support and foster the professional development of young individuals in the field of infectious diseases research by helping them to acquire additional skills and data to apply for other grants. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to investigations of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases, the epidemiology and control of hospital-acquired infections, and modeling of cost effective interventions. Upon completion of the project, a written report of the project must be sent to the Society.

 

For information, go to the Society website at http://www.isid.org/programs/prog_smgrants.shtml.

 

USAID APS: THE PRESIDENT'S EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF - NEW PARTNERS INITIATIVE

Funding Opportunity Number: M-OAA-GH-HSR-06-937

Estimated Total Program Funding: $200,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Deadline for Concept Paper Review: October 5, 2007

 

The NPI is a $200 million allocation under PEPFAR specifically for faith and community based organizations. Eligible organizations are nongovernmental organizations, working in any of the fifteen Emergency Plan focus countries, with little or no experience working with the U.S. Government -- defined as no more than $5 million in U.S. Government funding during the preceding five years, excluding disaster or emergency assistance or funding as a subcontractor. NPI funding is for AIDS prevention and care activities but not for treatment. Concept papers submitted after November 15, 2006 and received by October 5, 2007 will constitute the third and last concept papers and will receive the final and last review under the APS. There shall be no fourth submission of concept papers. Concept papers submitted under the February 15, 2007 deadline, as amended to March 30, 2007, will be retained by USAID until the above new final deadline of October 5, 2007. Due to the change in submission dates, organizations that have already submitted concept papers for the third round of reviews are permitted to withdraw those concept papers and submit updated concept papers if they choose to. In addition, USAID will continue to accept concept papers after March 30, 2007 until the new final deadline of October 5, 2007.

For more information go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8637&mode=VIEW. General information is also available at http://www.pepfarnpi.gov/.

 

USAID APS: IN SUPPORT OF THE US PRESIDENT’S EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF (PEPFAR) IN SOUTH AFRICA

Funding Opportunity Number: 674-07-001-APS

Estimated Total Program Funding: $160,000,000

Award Ceiling: $40,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: October 5, 2007  

 

Applications for HIV/AIDS treatment and other related service components will be accepted in the form of a formal concept paper, followed by full proposals for the organizations invited to do so. Agreements will be not less than $3 million and not more than $30 million.

The full announcement is available from USAID Pretoria at http://www.usaid.gov/missions/sa/usaidsa/pepfar67407001.pdf. For further information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11148&mode=VIEW.

 

NIH FOA: THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOSITY AND SPIRITUALITY ON HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-181

Estimated Total Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, next deadline is October 5, 2007

Archive Date: August 5, 2009

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), solicits research studies that examine the mechanisms, mediators, and moderators by which religious and spiritual beliefs develop and are transmitted across generations, and whether and how these beliefs influence early sexual behaviors and alcohol or other drug use that may facilitate the transmission of HIV in children and adolescents. The focus of this FOA is on the positive and negative effects of religiosity and spirituality on health risk behaviors in children and adolescents.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11941&mode=VIEW. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for fund number 3241.

 

NIH FOA: CHRONIC ILLNESS SELF-MANAGEMENT IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-097

Parallel FOAs: PA-07-098 (R03); PA-07-099 (R21)

Estimated Total Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, next deadline is October 5, 2007

Archive Date: February 2, 2010

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit research to improve self-management and quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Biobehavioral studies of children in the context of family and family-community dynamics are encouraged. Children diagnosed with a chronic illness and their families have a long-term responsibility for self- management. The child with the chronic illness will have a life-long responsibility to maintain and promote health and prevent complications. Research related to biological/ technological factors, as well as, sociocultural, environmental, and behavioral mechanisms that contribute to successful and ongoing self-management of chronic illnesses in children is also encouraged. This FOA is restricted to studies of chronic illnesses in children and adolescents ages 8 to 21.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11716&mode=VIEW (R01), http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11707&mode=VIEW(R03), and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11710&mode=VIEW (R21). For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for fund number 3229.

 

NIH PA: UNDERSTANDING MECHANISMS OF HEALTH RISK BEHAVIOR CHANGE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (R01)

 

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-148

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-298 (R21)

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates; next deadline is October 5, 2007

Archive Date: August 5, 2007

 

This program announcement invites research grant applications that will enhance understanding of the factors and mechanisms that determine changes in health risk behaviors during childhood and adolescence. Interdisciplinary research is sought to explore the biological, genetic, physiological, psychological, and social/environmental factors and mechanisms that influence health risk behavior change in children and adolescents.-The concept of health risk behavior change is used in this program announcement to encompass the evolution of specific health impairing behaviors. Of particular interest are factors and processes that influence the initiation, continuation, and/or cessation of one or more of the following health risk behaviors: (1) substance abuse, (2) inadequate exercise and poor dietary practices as they relate to being overweight or obese, and (3) intentional and unintentional injuries.

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11863&mode=VIEW and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8771&mode=VIEW. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for fund number 3239.

 

NIH FOA: CLINICAL RESEARCH ON MENTAL ILLNESS IN OLDER ADULTS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-163

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-180, PA-06-181, and PA-06-248

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is October 5, 2007

Archive Date: April 5, 2009

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to invite grant applications for clinical research that will reduce the burden of mental illnesses on older adults. The NIMH has a long-standing commitment to studying mental illnesses in older individuals. The intent of this FOA is to intensify investigator-initiated research in this area, to attract new investigators to the field, and to enhance interdisciplinary approaches to research.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11907&mode=VIEW.

 

NIH FOA: EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-158

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-180, PA-06-181, and PAR-06-248

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is October 5, 2007

Archive Date: April 5, 2009

 

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites investigator-initiated research grant applications for studies focused on the early identification and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Assessment methods may include behavioral, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and other physiological measures or markers. Intervention strategies to be studied may include pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitative interventions, separately or in combination.

 

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11895&mode=VIEW.

 

NIH FOA: BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH ON DISASTERS AND HEALTH (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-07-141

Parallel FOAs: PA-06-453, PA-06-452

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple Dates, next deadline is October 5, 2007

Archive Date: June 1, 2009

 

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks to stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences on the consequences of natural and man-made disasters for the health of children, the elderly and vulnerable groups, with an ultimate goal of preventing or mitigating harmful consequences. Examples of disasters include severe weather-related events, earthquakes, large-scale attacks on civilian populations, technological catastrophes or perceived catastrophes, and influenza pandemics. Three National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutes are sponsoring this FOA: the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Nursing Research.

For more information go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=11844&mode=VIEW.

 

HHS FOA: DECISION MAKING IN HEALTH: BEHAVIOR MAINTENANCE (R21)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-06-337

Estimated Award Ceiling: $200,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, next deadline is October 16, 2007

Archive Date: February 2, 2008

The purpose of this initiative is to invite applications for research projects that will expand our knowledge of basic decision-making processes underlying initiation and long-term maintenance of healthy lifestyle behaviors that may reduce one's risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and addiction. Collaborations are encouraged between basic judgment and decision-making researchers, and applied cancer control or addiction researchers that will elucidate the basic cognitive and affective processes involved in decisions that are made repeatedly over time, such as adhering to weight-loss programs or smoking cessation programs.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8934&mode=VIEW. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for fund number 3122.

 

HHS PA: AIDS INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM

Funding Number: PAR-05-140

Estimated Total Program Funding: $5,600,000.00

Closing Date for Letter of Intent: November 21, 2007

Closing Date for Applications: December 21, 2007

 

The purpose of this announcement is to invite applications from eligible institutions for innovative, collaborative training programs that would contribute to the long-term goal of building sustainable research capacity in HIV/AIDS and HIV-related conditions at institutions with which they have ongoing research collaborations, in low- and middle-income countries. These research-training programs will strengthen scientific knowledge and skills to enhance prevention of, and treatment and care for, HIV/AIDS and HIV-related conditions in these countries.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=3286&mode=VIEW; For more information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2862.

 

JOHN M. LLOYD FOUNDATION

 

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2108

Fund Category: HIV/AIDS

Maximum Funding Available: $20,000

Closing Date for Next Cycle: December 15, 2007

 

The Foundation supports enlightened public policy programs that advocate for improved access to HIV/AIDS care and services, relevant research efforts, effective prevention programs, and successful education initiatives worldwide. The Foundation also funds pioneering programs that promote education, awareness, and compassion about HIV/AIDS worldwide; novel HIV prevention efforts aimed at men, women, and children worldwide; and medical research that focuses on the prevention

and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Recognizing however that resources are limited compared to the scope of research efforts in HIV/AIDS, the Foundation gives preference to seed grants and small workshops that stimulate new directions for research.

 

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2108.

 

 

HHS/NIH RFA: PLANNING GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CLINICAL, OPERATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS (D71)

 

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-06-070

Estimated Total Program Funding: $150,000 with an award ceiling of $23,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: January 14, 2008

Archive Date: January 13, 2009

This is an invitation for planning grant applications for malaria research training programs in clinical, operational and public health services for clinical, public health and social scientists and health care professionals in the countries targeted by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The Fogarty International Center expects to provide a total of $75,000 to $150,000 total costs (direct and F & A) per year to fund three to six new planning grant awards each year FY06-FY08.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3316.

 

PUBLIC WELFARE FOUNDATION: FUNDING PRIORITIES

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2212

Closing Date for Applications: No deadline

The Foundation is most interested in organizations that address human needs, and take a particular interest in efforts that combine elements of service, advocacy and empowerment in their approach: service that solves specific problems; advocacy to address those needs in a more systemic way; and work to empower people in need so they play leading roles in achieving those remedies.
The Foundation is willing to take risks to help organizations with a sound idea, a reasonable plan for carrying it out, and a strong base in and commitment to their communities. While most of the grants are made to organizations in the United States, the Foundation has always had no geographic restrictions and has increased its efforts to work directly with organizations in other countries. The application process at the Public Welfare Foundation begins with a letter of inquiry and is followed by a request for proposals.

For more information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2212.

 

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2252

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

Closing Date for Applications: There is no deadline

 

The mission of the Elton John AIDS Foundation is to provide funding for educational programs targeted at HIV/AIDS prevention and/or the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and for programs that provide services to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations providing direct care for persons with HIV/AIDS or prevention education programs directed towards persons practicing high risk behavior.

 

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2252.

 

 

 

W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

 

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2924

Fund Category: Other health-related

Closing Date for Applications: There is no deadline

 

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to apply knowledge to solve the problems of people. Its founder W.K. Kellogg, the cereal industry pioneer, established the Foundation in 1930. Since its beginning the Foundation has continuously focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to solve their own problems. Grants are made in the four areas of: Health, Food Systems and Rural Development, Youth and Education, and Philanthropy and Volunteerism. Most grants are awarded in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven southern Africa countries including Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

 

For more information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2924 or go to the Kellogg website at http://www.wkkf.org/Grants/.

 

 

MAC AIDS FUND: GLOBAL FOUNDATION GRANTS

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2228

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

Closing Date for Applications: Application dates are open ended; see below

 

The MAC AIDS Fund encourages charitable, non-profit organizations to submit applications now for funding in a number of HIV/AIDS related program areas. Typically the Fund supports organizations that provide basic needs, direct services, education, awareness and prevention programs to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Proposals need to be received at least three weeks prior to quarterly board meetings, usually held in March, June, September, and December.

 

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2228.

 

 

MILAGRO FOUNDATION

 

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2739

Fund Category: Other health-related

Estimated Total Program Funding: $2500 - $5000

Closing Date for Applications: There is no final deadline; see below

 

Milagro is a charitable foundation that supports children and youth in three areas: helping them to live healthy lives through education and prevention of disease; helping them live literate lives through learning; and helping them live culturally enriched lives through arts education. Grants are awarded to community-based, grass-roots organizations that work with children and youth, especially those at risk and disadvantaged due to factors as poor health, illiteracy or insufficient educational and cultural opportunities. There is no application deadline. The Board makes decisions on grants in February, June and October. Grant deadlines are usually at least two months prior to meetings.

 

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp?SearchType=Simple and search for Fund Number 2739.

 

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