Thea L. James MD (co-founder of UFGH) started this initiative and headed the project for 10 years. From 1995-2005 the project team set up an Emergency Room in the outside courtyard of L’Hopital Albert Schweitzer Hospital providing direct medical services and taught medical education (ultra-sound) to physicians and nurses employed by the hospital. The social work and artistic component was added in 2005 when Zola started a community arts program recruiting children from the surrounding impoverished community as well as children from the hospital grounds. She was able to run the program receiving donated art supplies, and communicating with the social services unit about community outreach and education techniques currently used to intervene in the HIV/AIDS health crisis. Zola also assisted in the hospital by taking care of HIV positive orphans in the hospital. This was a two-week program.
We are currently planning for our 2010 return and will keep you updated! It's not too early to apply if you are interested in being a part of this team.
