eNewsletter August 2011 . future.org . future.edu
FutureGenerations and
FutureGenerations Graduate School
Community Management Improves Rural Primary Health Center
In East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India, near the mouth of the Brahmaputra River in the town of Sille, a primary health center serves six major rural villages and a growing migrant population of more than 10,000 people. The surrounding indigenous population is within a 12km walk over difficult terrain to the primary health center, which was seldom used and was in such a dilapidated condition that curative and preventative care was practically non-existent.
To better serve the people, in 2006 the state government of Arunachal Pradesh contracted with Future Generations Arunachal through a Public Private Partnership to co-manage the primary health care center with the active participation of a “patient welfare
committee.” Known as the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, the patient welfare committee is a locally nominated group of volunteers who participate in the day-to-day management of the center, thus increasing community oversight, transparency, and accountability.
A 2011 performance review shows that health indicators have improved dramatically, including no malarial deaths in three years, and the Sille PHC now serves as a statewide model and training center for primary health. In July 2011, Future Generations was awarded two more Public Private Partnership contracts to extend its training and community-based management innovations to the Lower Subansiri and West Kameng districts.
Pitumarca Wins Best Practices in Public Management Award
In a national competition in Peru, the district of Pitumarca received the 2011 award for “Best Practice in Public Management” in the Maternal-Infant Nutrition category.
This award recognizes the improved health and living conditions in Pitumarca, one of Peru's poorest districts.
New Tagline: Empowering Communities to Shape Their Futures
We would like to thank everyone who cast their vote for Future Generations and Future Generations Graduate School's new tagline. Your feedback helped us to choose our tagline "Empowering Communities to Shape Their Futures." We had great input from 65 people, including a range of internal and external constituents.
Grad School Welcomes Director of Alumni Continuing Education
From the Himalayan state of Bhutan, Lham joins the Graduate School staff as Director of Alumni Continuing Education. A 2009 graduate of the Master’s program, she will work with the alumni and their communities, a vital part of Future Generations global network of partners, to promote their continued success and opportunities for life-long learning.
Forbes' Website features Grad School
On July 20, 2011, a press conference on Capitol Hill announced a Microsoft donation of $2 million in software for non-profit organizations in Appalachia. The Future Generations Graduate School received approximately $70,000 in software donations to be used in public computer centers based in volunteer fire departments across West Virginia. An Associated Press article on the event was featured in such media outlets as Forbes, CBS Atlanta, Charleston Gazette, and the Charlotte Observer.
Summer Reading by our Alumni
Wendy Reese, graduate of the Class of 2009, recently published a book, "The Accidental Yoga Teacher." She founded Peace in the City, a business in Phoenix, Arizona, that provides affordable yoga and fitness classes. Book Description on Amazon
What happens when your "calling" finds you? Wendy Reese takes readers on a journey to find balance in the mist of daily chaos. Using her own experiences and expanding upon the great yoga teachings, Ms. Reese provides a humorous, thought provoking, poignant look at how to live authentically. Wherever you may be on your journey, this is a beautifully creative and inspiring guide for equanimity.
> Order the book on Amazon
> View Wendy Reese's student profile
Video Feature: Pendeba at the Foot of Mt. Everest
To enable local people to benefit from nature conservation, the "Pendeba Program," trains village volunteers known as Pendebas in
the practical skills of environmental protection, primary health care, and income generation. This video features the stunning diversity of the Tibetan plateau, with rare wildlife footage by Chinese videographer Qi Yun, and tells the story of the local people who are the real conservation heroes and stewards of the land.
An original copy is available upon request, by emailing: info@future.org.
For more information, see www.china.future.org.
Watch the Pendeba Video.
>Part one
>Part two
Recent Publications and Multimedia
> Guyana Community Scholars Blog From June-September, Guyanese students in the Class of 2011 blog weekly about topics relating to Guyana and what they are gaining from the M.A. program.
> Rohan Sagar's blog post in the Hunger and Undernutrition Blog Check out a new blog on "Hydroponics in Guyana" by our Master's Degree student, Rohan Sagar.
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