Hello everyone. Am Derrick Obin a 25years old Ugandan. My country is found in East Africa. It is such a beautiful part of the world to live in. My journey with Rose Charity has been such a life changing one. The organization stood with me from childhood through support in education till completion. The tuition, psychological and emotional support I got from my coordinators enabled me to complete my course and am now happily serving the health sector in my country with love and passion. The message I have for the world is that help rendered towards helping someone achieve their dream not only benefits the individual but it is service to the community and the nation at large. A small support could yield a great positive impact in the community and a nation. I am a living testimony of this. Much love from Uganda.
Brighter Smiles Group. Unsurpassed understanding. Unparalleled friend to Uganda.
Prof. Andrew Macnab (Brighter Smiles ) and Ms Joanna Thompson (Rose Rehab Australia) receiving the prestigious Charity Rose Awards for outstanding charitable service to their fellow women, children and men.
Andrew in Uganda 1960s
Andrew first went to Uganda 60 years ago (image) and has returned an almost uncountable number of times since. As a paediatrician, Andrew has over half a lifetime been able to improve child health in Uganda by employing school-based health promotion. a concept that he originally developed in collaboration with Canada’s First Nations for their school system. The model seeks to creatively engage school children and their teachers to enable each child to acquire knowledge and practical life-skills that benefit their long term health. It is an approach now endorsed globally by WHO.
Tooth examination for a Ugandan child
Andrew’s approach met its first success in the dramatic improvement of oral health among Ugandan children. Andrew points out that .. It is notable that number one reason a child in Canada requires a general anesthetic, with all its risks, needs for specialized staff and equipment and its fear for a child, is for badly decayed teeth !.
Andrew, a Consultant at UBC both in Pediatrics and Urology founded his ‘Brighter Smiles’ organization to promote and implement his programs from a Canadian base and in the early 2000’s merged it as a member program of Rose Charities (bringing a huge panoply of experience, innovation and scope to the latter) and remains one of the most distinguished, internationally focused members of the Rose family
Health Promoting Schooling Uganda. Andrew Macnab’s and Brighter Smiles great success.. !
Andrews Africa programs (both Uganda and elsewhere) are, significantly, collaborations with local communities. Oral health (as mentioned above) led on to nutrition. Andrew promoted school health-nutrition plants plots and now many Ugandan schools now plant gardens and use the produce to benefit malnourished pupils through lunch programs. Malnutrition weakens children’s resistance to common infections and restricts their ability to learn. Andrew points out how much anemia and delayed reading age are remediable by the addition of vitamin A and iron to children’s diets, which in Uganda were regularly deficient in such. Researching this, his teams found that the innovation of combined planting in school gardens of a new, vitamin A and iron rich yellow sweet potato rootstock with the maize and beans traditionally grown was a highly effective solution.
Malaria in Schools program. One of Andrews major successes to date has been his malaria in school alleviation program. Seeing the problem of endemic malaria as much as an education as a health problem (days missed with stress on child and family superimposed on the danger of the illness) Andrew introduced highly monitored and personally researched program of early diagnosis and treatment, actually carried out by teachers, specifically trained to do so.
Andrew writes.. ‘The solution offered, although simple, was novel at the time. Supported by the Hillman fund (another Rose Charities member group) , our teams taught teachers how to ‘test and treat’ malaria by using a rapid screening test on a drop of blood and artemisinin combination therapy. This safely makes available WHO advocated tools to fight malaria available in rural areas with limited or no access to clinics. A two year evaluation documenting the change in duration of absence from school due to malaria has shown that this school-based approach significantly reduces morbidity – the prevalence of disease in the school area. . Pre-intervention, children used to miss an average of 6.5 school days with each bout of infection, but this has fallen to less than 1 day where teachers are able to screen all the children found to be sick at school (photo 3), and promptly treat those testing positive.’
The extent of Andrews charitable achievements considerably go beyond those above and include urological assistance to rural Uganda seniors (and in Canada, technological invention), promotion of anti-violence-on-women. ( an ongoing campaign has seen a partnership with one of Uganda’s leading popular song studios with their star performers in the development of a song ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ – We can make it better). Andrew is constantly researching data to find novel or unrecognized ways to improve the wellbeing of communities and the women, men and children who constitute them.
Andrew Macnab, is a truly outstanding member of the Rose Charities ‘family’ who devotes vast experience, academic and practical ability for the benefit of others and has, and continues to both save and improve the lives of tens of thousands, directly and by linkage, to millions. He makes the world a better place
November 25th is the annual United Nations International Day to end violence against Women. To mark this event, Rose Charities and Uganda’s Talent Africa Group are launching the Brighter Smiles Africa music video ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ (“We can make it better you and I”).
The goal of ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ is to raise awareness and promote dialogue to help end the silence and indifference that surrounds sexual violence against girls. The song presents the perspective of Ugandan youth on the issues they face. Sexual and gender-related violence against girls is a global epidemic recognized by WHO and UNICEF to require urgent action through innovative solutions. In much of Africa, more than half the women report being victimized in their lifetime, and in Uganda one in three girls currently experience some form of sexual violence.
The words of ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ highlight the four issues seen as most pressing by youth in Uganda. * Early child marriage and teenage pregnancies * Sexual advances from older men (transgenerational sex) * Abuse of power by teachers in schools (demands for sexual favors for favorable marks) * Undue pressure from boys for sex
The song featured in the Brighter Smiles Africa music video was recorded by a group of leading female artists and premiered as the theme song at the Brave Girls Festival in Uganda on Oct 11th (The ‘Day of the girl child’). Some of the girls who contributed words for the song were also showcased at the event which was thrilling for them. The video has been produced to combine great entertainment with elements of health promotion and will be widely available through free downloads. This means the words of the song (and the advice it contains) will be heard across Uganda, especially by young people. A promotional campaign on national TV and radio will also use broadcasts with phone in discussion hosted by leading Ugandan women to promote dialogue and raise awareness of the need for change in Ugandan society.
Sight is one of the most vital aspects to the life of any individual both directly for themselves as well as for their families and communities. Often even simple health and screening measures can prevent, stay or even reverse many degrees of blindness.
Ms Yamuna Ghimire (Demlitar Community)
Rose Charities often supports its impressive partner VTN (Vision Together Nepal) founded by Optometrist, Mr Sakar Subedi. This NGO specializes in travelling to extremely remote villages in hard-to-access areas of Nepal to screen for disease, treat if possible or at a minimum, facilitate transport to a surgical eye center if more complicated procedures are needed. In addition a refraction service can assist in obtaining glasses for a needy patient.
At a recent eye camp in Demilitar Rural Municipality, assistance was given to an excellent local initiative to establish a simple Eye Centre. Trained staff were needed so VTN supported by Rose Charities facilitated training for two village members to be assistants. Ms Yumuna Ghimire (Demlitar Community) and Mr Roshan Dahal (Sindhuli Community) were sponsored to undertake basic optical dispenser training courses.
Further eye center initiatives are planned in rural Nepal for the near future
Dear friends, As spring arrives, with flowers blooming and warmer weather, we trust and hope that you are all healthy and well. This first 2022 update on the Haiti Children & Youth project summarizes the latest news and introduces two new programs.
Voix d’Espoir Communautaire, Voice of Community HopeEvery two years our partner non-government organization (NGO) in Haiti is required to renew their NGO designation. With the expansion of the project to two communities, Lavalee and also Jacmel, when renewing NGO status this year the Haitian leaders decided to change the name of the NGO to “Voix d’Espoir Communautaire” (VECOM) instead of the previous name “Source d’Espoir Communautaire” (SECOM). VECOM is now the umbrella NGO for all Haiti Children & Youth Project activities and SECOM refers to project activities only in Lavalee.
2022 Youth Retreat (see photos below) Two Youth Retreats were held simultaneously at the end of February this year, one in Lavalee and one in Jacmel. The planning of these two events was exciting as this was the first Youth Retreat in Jacmel and, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the last Youth Retreat in Lavalee took place early 2020.
In Lavalee 35 teens and young adults attended the retreat, in Jacmel 33 participated. About eighty percent of the attendees in Jacmel are orphans. Both programs involved singing, drama, health education, and nutritious meals/snacks. The program in Jacmel also offered a cooking lesson and watching movies.
Youth in Jacmel and Lavalee were grateful for what they learned at the retreat and for the few days of social recreation together. Some of the youth in Jacmel expressed how thankful and happy they were to be able to attend a great program during the annual five day Haitian Carnival. They commented that the Youth Retreat provides a “safer” environment than the one they would be exposed to if they went to Carnival which is colorful and fun but also involves alcohol, drugs, sexual activities. The youth in Lavalee were very glad that the Youth Retreat could finally resume again after it was postponed for two years. They expressed their appreciation for all the work the project is doing in their community.
Soccer Camp After having to postpone the annual Soccer Camp for two years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning has begun for the next Soccer Camp in Lavalee and for the first Soccer Camp in Jacmel this August 2022. Jean is hoping to be in Haiti for both camps and for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project received another large donation of soccer uniforms from the Vancouver United Football Club as well as some soccer uniforms from the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in Burnaby, about 1000 soccer jerseys in total. The uniforms from Cliff Avenue Football Club were collected for two years during the pandemic by a thoughtful friend. Jean is in the process of finding a viable option to transport the uniforms to Haiti.
Education Support During both Soccer Camps this summer the project will again distribute school supplies and school bursaries to orphans and other low income students.
Jacmel Program UpdateWith recent political insecurity and rising inflation in Haiti, food is even more expensive which makes it very difficult for parents and guardians to feed their families. Our leaders noticed that the children and youth who attend the Jacmel program are hungry most of the time so are unable to focus well on their studies. Starting at the end of April this year, with generous financial support from a new donor, the project has been able to provide a small meal or nutritious snack when students come to the project office to study and hang out before or after their classes. Project volunteers prepare bread and peanut butter, pasta, or potatoes/cassava/plantain with fish sauce along with fruit, vegetables, or juice. The leaders report that since this food program began a few weeks ago it is already evident that the kids and teens are better able to concentrate on their school work.
Medical Assistance In Haiti individuals have to pay directly for any medical services or treatment they require, there is no medical insurance and there is publicly funded medical care. Most of the orphans and other people in the communities where we work cannot afford to see a doctor even when they are sick. In March this year the project started a medical assistance fund with small donations from two regular donors, a total of $190 Canadian. This fund has already helped four orphans and two elderly widows. One orphan was suffering pain in his abdomen. He able to see a doctor and have a few medical tests to receive a diagnosis then purchase the prescribed medication which has effectively resolved his pain. Another orphan had a motorcycle accident on his way to school and was able to be examined by a doctor right away. These two youth expressed their gratitude for this new program because without the assistance it provided they would not have been able to receive any medical treatment. A third orphan, a 5 year old boy, has asthma. The project was able to help this child’s caregiver purchase the medication, inhalers, that the child needs for his asthma symptoms to be well managed.
Earthquake ReliefThis past February and March 2022 the project distributed the remainder of the Emergency Relief funds in Les Cayes and completed follow up with all the recipients of this aide. The project was able to help re-establish a total of 321 families in the city of Les Cayes after the devastating 7.2 earthquake in the southeast of Haiti last August 2021.
We are extremely grateful for your interest in the Haiti Children & Youth project.
Sincerely,
Jean & Terri Lubin Rose Charities ‘Haiti Children & Youth Project’
Despite many setbacks, Malambo Grassroots continues to meet the needs of our rural communities in Southern Province, Zambia, thanks in part to our big-hearted donors. In 2021, Zambia experienced two new waves of COVID and is in the midst of a third (the omicron variant). We distributed hundreds of masks and soap to villages and schools and we’re now organizing vaccination clinics.
Our partner school recovered from a fire in May that destroyed its chicken incubator, a vital income-generating project. In November, the head teacher’s convent home was broken into and she lost many tools (like her laptop) that help her do her work. A few generous donations will increase security.
We planted over 300 more tree seedlings (fruit and native species) to provide food and mitigate climate change in the region. We’re excited to start a new solar project and installed panels, batteries, and lights in the homes of 28 elders.
Through scholarships, supplies, and food, we continue supporting students of all ages.
We feel incredibly grateful to work with the local Tonga people, who inspire and amaze us daily with their talents, perseverance, and resilience. We wish you all a healthy and peaceful holiday and new year.
Supporting grassroots development in Zambia: www.malambograssroots.ca Or follow Malambo Grassroots on Facebook
Since 2916 Dr Andrew Macnab’s (Rose Charities Canada / Rose Uganda Support Group) amazing schools based malaria abatement program in Uganda has been delivering outstanding results. The highly endemic disease accounts for thousands of missing days of education in a young population desperate to attain the maximum benefit from school attendance. Teachers are trained to recognize early symptoms and then confirm them with a simple and relatively cheap kit test. Artemsia based drugs (as approved by the WHO ) can be then started immediately in situ, and, being quick acting, take effect early to reduce the childs convalescent absence period from days to possibly only hours. (https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/45/6/1759/2670325 )
Children, teachers, parents all love the program and its success has been attested to now for the last 5 years. A huge success for Uganda, Rose teams but above everything the kids and their families !
With the start of summer and mid 2021 approaching, as always we hope that all is well with you and yours.
We have not written for several months because, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past several months have been fairly quiet for the Haiti Children & Youth Project.
COVID-19 & PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Last year when the COVID-19 pandemic started, our team of volunteer leaders followed the Haitian health authority’s COVID prevention guidelines and temporarily stopped project activities involving group gatherings except for project committee meetings. Miraculously the number of COVID-19 cases were low in Haiti so last summer the Haitian government allowed groups of people to start meeting again with masks on at markets, schools, churches, etc. Even so, our Haitian leaders chose to wait until this past January 2021 to resume group project activities.
Last month, in May, several cases of the COVID-19 variant from Brazil were reported in Haiti with some associated deaths. Consequently, near the end of May the Haitian government requested the population again limit social / group gatherings and wear masks in public. Then on June 1st the government announced a 15 day “lock down” to hopefully stop the virus from continuing to spread. Online news reports that the Astrazenica vaccine may eventually be offered in Haiti.
EDUCATION SUPPORT
Providing financial assistance to support the education of elementary and secondary school students is the only project activity which has continued throughout the pandemic. Haitian schools reopened last July 2020 and students were able to finish the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year from July to October then start the 2020-2021 school year last November. We are extremely thankful that the project was able to help pay the 2020-2021 school fees for 159 students with significant need, orphans and others from single parent or very low income families.
The positive impact this education support has for each student hits home with a recent story from an orphan who received her first education bursary from the project. When talking to one of the project leaders this student mentioned that this year she does not have to worry when the school administration starts following up on unpaid school fees and begins to send students home who are unable to pay the remaining balance. She expressed relief and gratitude that, with her school fees fully paid, she is one of the “privileged” children in the school who will be able to complete the whole academic year.
NEW JACMEL PROGRAM (see photos below)
Last fall the Haitian committee leaders became aware of several orphans in the city of Jacmel which is a half hour drive southwest of the project office and work in Lavalee. Orphans in the city are often originally from a smaller community in the nearby countryside. When a child’s parents die a friend, family member, or another individual in the city offers to take in the orphan even if they themselves have their own children to care for and/or have limited resources. Many of the people who help care for the orphans are motivated to do so by their faith in God.
Our Haitian leaders proposed expanding the project to support orphans in Jacmel as well as other vulnerable children and youth in the city. This past January they started a program with two small groups: one of nine children age 10-15 years old (4 boys and 5 girls) and another of sixteen youth age 16-21 years old (10 boys and 6 girls). Every few weeks the children and youth meet together for social and educational activities. A nutritious snack is always served. The project has had the funds to also provide a full meal on four occasions. Each of the 25 participants in this new Jacmel program received a school bursary for their 2020-2021 school year fees.
A close friend of Jean’s in Jacmel offered a place to hold this new program. The meeting place is a great resource for the program attendees as they are free to visit two project leaders there outside program hours. We are still in the process of raising funds to rent this location but so far two local Haitian citizens have each made a financial contribution towards the rent.
With sincere appreciation for your interest and support,
Rose Nepal ‘Buhari’ trainees. Advanced education for women
‘Buhari’ means married women / daughters in law. This is the name that Rose Nepal gives to its advanced education program for women. It is well documented that women’s education is one of the most effective parameters in advancing communities in all areas in almost every parameter index, from health, poverty reduction, peace and Rose Nepal promotes these strongly in it Buhari program. The program operates from the rural Pharping area of the Kathmandu Valley. Notable (see image) is Sushima Thapa magar, one of the best achieving students to date from Kopu Village close to graduating in Engineering and Architecture. She will be the first female Rose-Engineering graduate from this small community.
Sponsorships in the Buhai Program and run at around CAD 600 per student per year which include both tuition (CAD 300 appx) and living / course material costs.(CAD 300 appx) It is hard to find an initiative of better value as it creates both a active, involved and hugely needed future for the student herself, as well as a panoply of secondary benefits for her family, community, region and country. Partial assistance (ie covering a proportion of the costs at any level) are equally welcomed and will be pooled by Rose to complete the amount for a full Buhari Scholarship.
The late Dr’s Don and Elizabeth Hillman – mentors to the world..
We are sad to announce the passing on of Dr. Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Hillman, pivotal figure in the Rose Charities Canada and the whole Rose Charities Family. Liz both contributed in expertise and/or initiated multiple Rose Charities programs (under her special ‘Hillman Fund’ division) both in Africa and Asia. She was always one of Rose Charities topmost mentors and advisors.
Dr Elizabeth Hillman grew up in Northern Ontario with no roads, schools, or healthcare. She and her family lived in a retired railway car that was converted into a schoolhouse; the schoolhouse traveled to a different town each week, where her parents would teach the children of local workers. Dr Hillman went on to graduate from medical school at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in 1951. She then completed postgraduate training in pediatrics from five different schools in three countries.
For 20 years, Dr Hillman was Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics including Emergency, Management of Child Abuse, and the Poison Control Centre at Montreal Children’s Hospital. For four years, she served in Kenya with a McGill-Kenya CIDA-funded project to develop a pediatric program at the University of Nairobi, alongside her husband, Dr Donald Hillman, and their five children. She and her husband worked as global medical consultants in several Asian and African countries.
Dr Hillman was the first female president of the Medical Council of Canada and both she and her husband led active roles in the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They were both awarded the Order of Canada (C.M.) in 1994 for their commitment to international child health. She was also chair of the Board of the Elisabeth Bruyère Research Institute at the University of Ottawa from 2005 to 2008. In honour of her late husband, Dr Hillman established the Hillman Medical Education Fund which ran as a special division of Rose Charities Canada (and International) to support health education and to foster future leaders in medicine, particularly in East Africa. It did however extend considerably further contributing to Rose Charities initiatives both in Asia as well as Africa.
Liz’s passing on is a great loss to the world. Her life was however full, vibrant and focused, contributing hugely to diffusing education and health care to many who have benefited from it and have themselves then spread it on to others. In this way her influence, and charity have brought wonderful lives to many who otherwise would have remained within the poverty trap.
To Rose Charities, Liz was one of the finest sources of expertise and advice possible and the organization was truly lucky to count her has a mentor. While Africa was her main focus, her experience and advice extended also to S.E. Asia, particularly Indo China which has been one of the main foci of Rose Charities activities for its 22 year existence.
Dr Elizabeth Hillman. The whole of Rose Charities salutes you, lauds and acclaims you, and now, mourns you. We will not forget you and extend all condolences to your family.
Last week, a team of 3 Canadian health professionals from Rose Haiti Healthcare Education conducted a training on #neonatal resuscitation with 31 members of our staff. They did an initial training with 3 senior nurses and 3 pediatricians, who then assisted with training through the week. These 6 HAS employees will train the remainder of the staff
and run practice scenarios every 1-2 months to maintain their competency. We are grateful for the knowledge and skills Rose Haiti Healthcare Education shared with our team! Our nurses and physicians are better equipped to save the lives of our tiniest patients.
The amazing One Tree Hill Sinfonia is holding a charity concert for Malambo Grassroots Zambia Saturday 15th September.
The Malambo Programs are supported through Rose Charities Canada and carry out amazing and hugely needed work in child education, including music education, income generation, womens groups, and health. One of their main organizers is Heidi Krutzen, Canada’s leading harpist currently living and working with the London Philharmonia.
For over 20 years Rose Charities has been developing essential ground level programs to many parts of the world, with no administration fees.
6pm Sat 15th September. Admission 10pounds, St Augustines Church, Honour Oak Park SE23
Despite many setbacks, Malambo Grassroots continues to meet the needs of our rural communities in Southern Province, Zambia, thanks in part to our big-hearted donors. In 2021, Zambia experienced two new waves of COVID and is in the midst of a third (the omicron variant). We distributed hundreds of masks and soap to villages and schools and we’re now organizing vaccination clinics.
We feel incredibly grateful to work with the local Tonga people, who inspire and amaze us daily with their talents, perseverance, and resilience. We wish you all a healthy and peaceful holiday and new year.
and mid 2021 approaching, as always we hope that all is well with you and yours. 
Hopital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
and run practice scenarios every 1-2 months to maintain their competency. We are grateful for the knowledge and skills Rose Haiti Healthcare Education shared with our team! Our nurses and physicians are better equipped to save the lives of our tiniest patients.
The amazing One Tree Hill Sinfonia is holding a charity concert for Malambo Grassroots Zambia Saturday 15th September.