Development Impact Stories

‘Understanding the SDGs to Respond to Climate Change’ virtual short course in Pakistan

‘Understanding the SDGs to Respond to Climate Change’ virtual short course in Pakistan

From 4 November 2021 to 30 January 2022, Commonwealth Alumni Farwa Tassaduq and Sana Ilyas delivered a short virtual course titled ‘Understanding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Respond to Climate Change’. The course was designed to equip new graduates and young professionals in Pakistan from different fields with the skills and knowledge to address climate change in their projects by focusing on the SDGs. The course was delivered over 12 sessions, with each session lasting two hours.

Organising a Repairs Ecosystem Workshop in Botswana

Organising a Repairs Ecosystem Workshop in Botswana

The Right to Repair is a global movement to ensure everyone has the right to fix the products they own and supports sustainable and responsible consumerism. Commonwealth Alumnus Dr Badziili Nthubu organised a Repairs Ecosystem Workshop in Gaborone, Botswana, to bring together entrepreneurs in the country working in the service and manufacturing industries. The purpose of the workshop was to facilitate discussion amongst entrepreneurs on the repairs ecosystem and how repairs can support efforts geared towards protecting our environment.

Raising awareness of cervical cancer screenings in Uganda

Raising awareness of cervical cancer screenings in Uganda

Four Commonwealth Alumni working as health professionals in the Kabarole District area in Uganda, created a video to raise awareness about regular cervical cancer screening to avoid late-stage diagnosis when treatment is no longer possible. The video encourages girls aged between 10 and 13 years to take up the HPV vaccination which can reduce their chances of developing cervical cancer. The group included lead organiser, Dorine Natukunda, a Medical Clinical Officer, Irene Kabachaki, a registered nurse, and Rebecca Balinja and Euphrasia Kabahuma, both registered midwives.

Eye-health awareness in Kenya

Eye-health awareness in Kenya

Commonwealth Alumni Dr Cynthia Ogundo and Dr Rebecca Oenga, both ophthalmologists working in public hospitals in Kenya, teamed up with Dr Nyawira Mwangi, Senior Lecturer at the Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi, to create a video information session to spread awareness about eye healthcare.

Youth mental health awareness in India

Youth mental health awareness in India

Commonwealth Alumnus Dr Vijaya Ragahavan, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of the Youth Mental Health Programme at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), created a video to educate youth in India on the causes and symptoms of depression. The video highlights the importance of raising awareness about mental health and issues facing children and young people which are often overlooked in Indian society.

Promoting the use of safe water to prevent illness in Uganda

Promoting the use of safe water to prevent illness in Uganda

Commonwealth Alumnus Dr Sylivia Nalubega, Lecturer in Nursing at Soroti University, created an awareness video on the topic of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) aimed at promoting the use of safe water to prevent illness to those living in Uganda. In her work as a nurse, health promotion and disease prevention are part of Dr Nalubega’s role, and she is therefore aware of the important need to spread awareness on the topic of safe water to those living in the Teso sub-region.

Zambia: The importance of handwashing and using clean water

Zambia: The importance of handwashing and using clean water

Commonwealth Alumnus Dr Evelyn Funjika, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Zambia, created a video to raise awareness around the importance of handwashing and the need to improve access to clean water for everyone. The key message in the video included sensitising local communities to wash their hands more frequently to reduce the burden of infectious diseases.