Dear Friends,
Very exciting news! We are in the final stages of combining resources with another U.S.-based nonprofit that has been working on behalf of the people of Burma for more than 10 years. Planet Care/Global Health Access Program supports public health and clinical care for people in Burma and on its borders through innovative training and partnership with local health clinics, backpack medics and village-based health workers. Last year, GHAP partnered with more than 60 local organizations, supporting programs that reached over one million people in Burma.
GHAP shares our community-based philosophy, and we’ve long admired their work with local partners in the field. GHAP’s malaria program builds the capacity of local health organizations to provide comprehensive screening, treatment and prevention—including insecticide-treated bed nets—to stop the spread of drug-resistant malaria. Its pioneering programs in tuberculosis and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) support partners providing unprecedented screening, education and treatment for people beyond the reach of government and international aid.
GHAP provides technical assistance for the training and support of traditional birth attendants and reproductive health workers in prenatal care, family planning and reproductive health. GHAP partners provide Vitamin A, deworming treatment and childhood immunizations to tens of thousands of children who’d otherwise go without such care. GHAP’s Child Nutrition Program offers family education and intensive feeding in a country where one in three children are malnourished.
We’re excited about sharing our complementary skills, knowledge and dedication. Together, we’ll be able to provide holistic assistance—health care, education, water and sanitation, economic development and leadership training—to the many communities in which we currently work in parallel. Combining staff and finance and accounting systems will allow us to operate more efficiently. As a larger organization with a proven track record, we’ll attract funding not accessible to smaller organizations. And those benefits are just a start.
The real core of our excitement is the people. The people in both of our organizations have years of experience and intimate knowledge about how to work effectively in the region. Together, we’ll be able to provide more resources, more efficiently and more effectively to the people of Burma. We’ll keep you posted and relay the good news when it’s official. And we hope you will share any questions or concerns.
While working on this partnership the past several months, we’ve also been busy with our ongoing programs, which are running well and producing excellent results. You can read the latest about our programs in our NEWS section.
As always, this only works with your support. You are the people who provide the backbone of whatever we are able to do for the people of Burma and we are always deeply appreciative of your caring.
With thanks and warm wishes for a joyous holiday season,
Hal Nathan
President