The Project Model
Our project uses medical students as facilitators in bringing together sponsors and hospital initiatives. These students take part in the initiatives during their stay in Manali on a four-week medical elective, returning with reports to raise awareness to sponsors and the community.
Steps involved
- At the beginning of each year, the new students contact Lady Willingdon Hospital to determine a number of sub-projects. These sub-projects are priority areas that require funding, and may be as simple as a piece of medical equipment (such as a ventilator) or may be larger initiatives such as the nutritional assessment, de-worming and vaccination of children in 10 schools (a project undertaken in 2008).
- With these sub-projects (which we sometimes confusingly call projects) in mind, we approach potential sponsors* – both to raise the awareness of global health issues, and in order to secure vital funding without which these projects struggle to be completed. Ideally, we aim to establish long-term relationships with sponsors.
- In order to further raise awareness, we produce a number of publications and undertake a number of activities (such as a lecture circuit in both high schools and university). Note: our sponsors are frequently mentioned or enquired about during these activities and publications!
- The proceeds from our fundraising efforts are transferred (in full, with no loss to any third parties – including ourselves!) to Lady Willingdon Hospital in a number of lots throughout the year (we aim to transfer at times of favourable exchange rates).
- Students arrive in Manali for their medical elective in November, where as many sub-projects as possible are undertaken where students can partake directly. These students learn new skills, learning from the very Community Health Workers that are trained through the funding provided by our project. On behalf of sponsors, students also act to ensure as transparent an operation as possible (see ‘How do I know my contribution isn’t being misused?‘)
- The hospital also sends regular, detailed reports on the outcomes of sub-projects and patients at the hospital. These reports, as well as the personal experiences of the students on elective, form a message that is conveyed through marketing material for sponsors, and other public-awareness activities (including publications to the medical community).
*In partnership with affiliates such as TIME (Towards International Medical Equality), we also acquire some medical equipment to be taken to Manali at the end of each year (with the students undertaking their medical electives at the hospital). However, because transporting such equipment is generally not cost-effective, our focus is primarily on monetary sponsorship.
About the Manali Medical Aid Project
- What does Lady Willingdon Hospital do?
- So why does the Hospital need help?
- How does the Manali Medical Aid Project provide this help?
- Who runs the Manali Medical Aid Project?
- How can I contribute to the project?
- Where can I get more information?
