Here are some of the projects that we are currently working on:

PHR Women’s Health Advocacy

PHR Women’s Health has an ongoing semester project consisting of aiding AMSA in the Women’s Health Fair in which PHR hands out packets full of information pamphlets (breast exam, domestic abuse, pregnancy health, costs of pap smears and mammograms,etc.) as well as condoms and even discussing health issues and costs of health prevention with local women. With each event, PHR is picking up pace and women are becoming more and more open on discussing such issues with our members which is quite important.

Another project that is in the works is to have an open forum for the local women one night at the call center where an OBGYN and a nurse will give a presentation regarding simple health care tips and vital issues that need to be addressed as well as answer questions that anyone has. This project is in the works and we will see what comes of it.

In addition, Medical Students for Choice has asked PHR if they would like to take part in a learning forum where an U.S. self-defense instructor will be brought in and show women how to physically protect themselves as domestic abuse rates are quite high on the island

**To become involved with this or similar projects contact Kelsie Carlson-Weymouth (KelsieWeymouth@rossmed.edu.dm), our Women’s Health Representative.

Kimberly Fund

The Kimberly fund is for locals of Dominica that are in need of surgery but that are not able to afford it. The Kimberly fund is in the process of trying to raise additional funds to meet the criteria to join the Private Sector Foundation in effort to help more individuals to obtain their necessary surgeries.

CALLS Center (Portsmouth, Dominica)

The CALLS (Center where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve) center is a part of an Adolescent Development Program that is aimed at youngsters between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two years. The center trains these young adults to take their places in society and become useful members of their communities.

Started over 12 years ago when Dean Corbitt, a member of the Board of Directors, started the CALLS Center program in 1995.

Ross students volunteer their time, once a week, to help tutor the students of the CALLS center in math, English, and one-on-one self awareness.

Focus of tutoring sessions is not only to further the academic success of the tutees, but also to help the tutees believe in their own potential while keeping them off the streets.

Portsmouth Library Program (Portsmouth, Dominica)

The library reading program was started in 2005. Ross students tutor the children at the library as well as conduct educational activities, such as reading/writing contests and presentations.

Tutor children at the library on Saturdays from 10am – 12pm, on all subjects of school (history, math, English, French, science, etc).

Currently, the spring semester has consisted of going to the Portsmouth library and helping children and teenagers with their school work by showing them where they can find information on various topics.

The younger children were also helped with their reading and math skills.

Upcoming projects for the summer semester include holding a reading club where either a volunteer or one of the children can read to the others. As well, we wanted to hold various activities for the children such as art (& craft if possible) competitions just so that the children will not only have something to do over their break, but also to keep them interested in coming to the library and advance their knowledge while having fun at the same time.

A box has presently been set up at the Ross Library where fellow students can donate stationary that they no longer need so that those children who cannot afford can make use of, thereby helping their education advance more smoothly.

Panzi Clinic Project (Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa)

The Panzi Clinic is a non-profit organization that provides medical services for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been victims of rape used as a weapon of war.

Ross University’s chapter of PHR is collaborating with S.A.F.E.R (Social Aid For the Elimination of Rape), a Canadian-based group of medical students to aid the clinic by sending much needed supplies.

PHR has also teamed up with the Muslim Student Association and the Organization of African Students in raising money to buy sutures to send the clinic in March/April 2007.

Through presentations, PHR raises campus-wide awareness about the human rights abuses in the Congo.

For more information on the Panzi clinic, view this article.