ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE VOLUNTEERS TO OPEN ENGEYE HEALTH CLINIC IN UGANDA

Released on = December 6, 2006, 2:16 pm

Press Release Author = Dawna Lee Heising

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Medical Student Group Founder Stephanie Van Dyke Will Return
to Uganda to Run Clinic after Graduation

Press Release Body = ALBANY, NY - December 7, 2006 - Albany Medical College (AMC)
has announced that on March 30, 2007, Dr. Paeglow and eight volunteer medical
students from AMC will join Dr. Murley from Portland, OR, to journey to Ddegeya
Village where they will open the doors to the newly constructed Engeye Health Clinic
and volunteer quarters. The Clinic will offer, for the first time, basic essential
medical care to residents in Ddegeya and in neighboring villages.

Engeye Health Clinic is run by a small group of highly dedicated individuals, both
Americans and Ugandans, working one step at a time, one day at a time, to improve
the living conditions and reduce the unnecessary suffering in rural Africa through
education and compassionate health care. The entire clinic and two volunteer houses
were constructed during the summer of 2006 at a cost estimated to be about $50,000.
All of the funds came from the volunteer group's personal monies and whatever
donations it could collect.

The Engeye Health Clinic was established by Stephanie Van Dyke, now in her second
year at AMC, and John Kalule. In 2000, Stephanie spent time volunteering in Katooke
Village in rural Uganda. There, she witnessed the urgent need for the most basic
medical care, inspiring her to pursue a career in medicine with the ultimate goal of
building and running self-sustaining clinics in Uganda. During her visit, Stephanie
met John, a native Ugandan from Ddegya, who helped her adjust to the challenges
posed by life in rural Africa (including, but not limited to, sharing her bed with
rats and fire ants). The word Engeye means \"white monkey\" in Ugandan and is John\'s
family clan name.

The cost of the Spring break mission is expected to be around $20,000, much of which
will go to buy permanent fixtures. The volunteers will contribute most of the
monies required for airfare and food. The volunteer group will also purchase
medicine cabinets, examination beds, curtains, office supplies and medical supplies
for the new Engeye Health Clinic. The beds and cabinets will be custom made for
very little cost in neighboring Masaka Village. Medication and other supplies will
be purchased either in Masaka or in Kampala, the capital city.

Until the volunteer group receives non-profit 501c3 status, it is entirely dependent
upon donations from individuals who want to make a personal investment in the future
of people less fortunate. Once granted non-profit status, the path is cleared for
their grant writer to access significant funding to help them achieve their short
and long-term goals to alleviate suffering in Uganda.

The Albany Medical College Engeye project volunteers are Stephanie Van Dyke, Misty
Richards, Brooke Richards, Evan Rodriquez, Kimberly Robinson, Jacqueline Schwartz,
Dr. Paeglow and Ms. McNamara.

100% of all donations will go towards the Engeye project. Contributions can be made
online at the website for the new Engeye Health Clinic in Uganda: www.engeye.com.
For more information, contact Dawna Heising at heising@msn.com or Misty Richards at
RicharM@mail.amc.edu.



Web Site = http://www.engeye.com

Contact Details = Dawna Lee Heising
19322 Wingedfoot Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-390-7122
heising@msn.com

  • Printer Friendly Format
  • Back to previous page...
  • Back to home page...
  • Submit your press releases...
  •