HCU Projects
Community Emergency Transport Literature Review
This was my first project with HCU and also my very first literature review outside of coursework. Not at all knowing how to do a literature review prior to the SOWK 677 S01 research course, I was very grateful to have just had learned about literature reviews and had the practice of creating one for the course. It was quite exciting that my very first assignment with HCU would allow me to actually put into practice a new skill I had just acquired in the MSW program.
This was my first project with HCU and also my very first literature review outside of coursework. Not at all knowing how to do a literature review prior to the SOWK 677 S01 research course, I was very grateful to have just had learned about literature reviews and had the practice of creating one for the course. It was quite exciting that my very first assignment with HCU would allow me to actually put into practice a new skill I had just acquired in the MSW program.
HCU Community Emergency Transport Literature Review | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Qualitative Findings Towards the Development of Criteria and Indicators for Functional VHTs
For this project, I conducted individual interviews with Community Health Officers (CHOs) and focus groups with VHTs as to assess 'active' versus 'non-active' VHTs. This project gave me my first opportunity to practice the qualitative data collection methods that I learned about previously in research courses, including SOWK 677 S01. In all of my previous employment and practical experience, I had not had the opportunity to engage in any formal research and so I found this to be a very exciting opportunity.
For this project, I conducted individual interviews with Community Health Officers (CHOs) and focus groups with VHTs as to assess 'active' versus 'non-active' VHTs. This project gave me my first opportunity to practice the qualitative data collection methods that I learned about previously in research courses, including SOWK 677 S01. In all of my previous employment and practical experience, I had not had the opportunity to engage in any formal research and so I found this to be a very exciting opportunity.
HCU Functional VHTs | |
File Size: | 98 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Community Emergency Transport Plans
After completing the community emergency transport literature review, my next step was to develop a model template for community emergency transport plans that could be promoted in the local communities. This project I feel probably most attached to because I had the opportunities to go into two communities and interview community members about their emergency transport plans as to inform the document. Through these field visits, I could see and understand for myself the significant challenges that communities face in reaching health care as well as the very real need for having accessible transport during emergencies as to prevent avoidable deaths.
After completing the community emergency transport literature review, my next step was to develop a model template for community emergency transport plans that could be promoted in the local communities. This project I feel probably most attached to because I had the opportunities to go into two communities and interview community members about their emergency transport plans as to inform the document. Through these field visits, I could see and understand for myself the significant challenges that communities face in reaching health care as well as the very real need for having accessible transport during emergencies as to prevent avoidable deaths.
HCU Community Emergency Transport Plans | |
File Size: | 132 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Healthy Homes Competition
Smaller scale 'Model Home' competitions had previously been conducted but with different guidelines and criteria and lacked documentation. Based on discussions and meetings with the Project Manager and the Senior Field Manager, I developed the guidelines and associated forms for the Healthy Homes Competitions. As HCU is planning to shift out of Bushenyi district by the end of this calendar year, this Competition is designed to be a self-sustaining initiative that can take place annually without the support of HCU, which is aligned with my understanding of collective efficacy and my own emphasis on self-reliance and sustainability. I also enjoy that this project is a very interesting and creative approach in promoting healthy practices while also encouraging community engagement and development.
Smaller scale 'Model Home' competitions had previously been conducted but with different guidelines and criteria and lacked documentation. Based on discussions and meetings with the Project Manager and the Senior Field Manager, I developed the guidelines and associated forms for the Healthy Homes Competitions. As HCU is planning to shift out of Bushenyi district by the end of this calendar year, this Competition is designed to be a self-sustaining initiative that can take place annually without the support of HCU, which is aligned with my understanding of collective efficacy and my own emphasis on self-reliance and sustainability. I also enjoy that this project is a very interesting and creative approach in promoting healthy practices while also encouraging community engagement and development.
HCU Healthy Homes | |
File Size: | 113 kb |
File Type: | docx |
3-Day Community Development Training
Observing and documenting a 3-day training course on Community Development for VHTs was a great opportunity see how community development is understood here and how it is promoted in the local communities. It was really great and encouraging to see that self-reliance and sustainability are themes that underlie all the activities. I also revised the document alongside one of the Senior VHT Trainers, which included the addition of key community development messages that we developed together for each of the activities.
Observing and documenting a 3-day training course on Community Development for VHTs was a great opportunity see how community development is understood here and how it is promoted in the local communities. It was really great and encouraging to see that self-reliance and sustainability are themes that underlie all the activities. I also revised the document alongside one of the Senior VHT Trainers, which included the addition of key community development messages that we developed together for each of the activities.
HCU Community Development Training | |
File Size: | 1619 kb |
File Type: | docx |
3-Day VHT Catalyst Training
Having experienced the challenges of working as a member of a large team on various group project reports in our SOWK 679 S03 projects course helped prepare me for this project in which I worked closely with our Field Coordinator, Senior VHT Trainers, and Community Health Officers in order to develop the training course for a new initiative, VHT Catalysts. This is a project that I was not initially supposed to be a part of and we had a very tight schedule in which to develop the training so it took a lot of adaptability to take on a large role in it. However, I am glad that I was able to partake in this project as it gave me the opportunity to collaborate heavily with others while also actually developing a training course from beginning to end.
Having experienced the challenges of working as a member of a large team on various group project reports in our SOWK 679 S03 projects course helped prepare me for this project in which I worked closely with our Field Coordinator, Senior VHT Trainers, and Community Health Officers in order to develop the training course for a new initiative, VHT Catalysts. This is a project that I was not initially supposed to be a part of and we had a very tight schedule in which to develop the training so it took a lot of adaptability to take on a large role in it. However, I am glad that I was able to partake in this project as it gave me the opportunity to collaborate heavily with others while also actually developing a training course from beginning to end.
HCU VHT Catalyst Training | |
File Size: | 121 kb |
File Type: | docx |