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Category: News
Date: 04/18/2012
Title: SGU Students Fight the Spread of TB Halfway Across the Globe
By Line
Urban Humanitarian Projects
Short Story
Urban Humanitarian Projects and the Iota Epsilon Alpha International Medical Honor Society will host a massive videogame tournament – the 4th Wii Olympics Tournament – on Saturday April 21st from 6pm to 12am in Taylor Hall. This bi-annual fundraising event supports the needs of local and international charities by capitalizing on some friendly competition among peers.

Student groups, faculty, and SGU staff assemble teams of 4-6 players that compete against each other in popular video games such as Mario Kart and Wii Sports. The money generated from each team’s registration plays a vital role in the financial impact that UHP is able to make on the charities it supports.
Full Story
This semester, a portion of the proceeds from the Wii Tournament will go towards Operation Asha to build two tuberculosis treatment clinics in impoverished areas of India. Operation Asha, is a well-established non-profit that provides medications for the treatment of ordinary and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, a regimen that takes anywhere from 6 to 24 months in affected individuals. With over 200 established centers in India and Cambodia, they offer assistance to people who would not ordinarily be able to afford these medications, and their tracking system ensures patient compliance to reduce the development of further resistance. UHP hopes to raise enough money to build two new clinics in India.

Proceeds from the Wii Olympics tournament will also go towards a local charity – the Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique Foundation for Needy Students. Founded in 1996, the organization provides financial support for primary and secondary school students from poorer families who may have difficulty paying for uniforms, school supplies, transportation, exam fees and other educational necessities. They also provide avenues of skills training to re-engage young people who have dropped out of school without completing their studies. UHP’s goal is to create lasting ties with this organization by developing a mentoring and tutoring program, where SGU students can be involved in teaching computer skills to the young people.

Finally, a portion of the funds will be used to support various UHP projects in New York, where many SGU students do their clinical rotations. In a partnership with the New York State Department of Education, several SGU students volunteer their time as mentors to urban high school students. These GURUS aim to provide Guidance, Unity and Resources for Urban Success by fostering a relationship that encourages students to pursue higher education and gain exposure to a range of career options. [closing sentence about what the money can do here].

The past success of the Wii Olympics events is a testament to the humanity and generosity of the members of the SGU community, as well as other committed sponsors. In two years, UHP has raised nearly 300,000EC for local and international causes, making a huge impact on the recipient organizations. Urban Humanitarian Projects looks forward to a continuation of this trend as the countdown begins towards game day on April 21st, 2012.

For more information and to support Urban Humanitarian Projects, please visit www.uhp.org

Submitted by UHP


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