GlobeMed at Brown University

Who We Are // GlobeMed at Brown University

Founded this year, GlobeMed at Brown University is one of 46 GlobeMed chapters working to improve the health of people living in poverty aroundthe world. We partner with Ungano-Tena (U-Tena) in Nairobi, Kenya to support programs that develop creative and innovative solutions to raise awareness about sexual health practices and improve the health, education and quality of life within their communities. Through performance, U-Tena is able to dispel myths related to HIV transmission, to encourage testing, treatment, and discussions around family planning, and sexual and reproductive health.

Our Partner // U-Tena in Nairobi, Kenya

U-Tena is a grassroots community based organization created by youth from the Viwandani-Mukuru slum in East Nairobi. U-Tena was created in 2005 and is registered with the Kenyan Ministry of Gender and Social Services. U-Tena uses music, dance, 2-dimensional art, and theatre, to provide free popular education and teach communities about HIV, STI, sexual health, reproductive health, and other related, often taboo, topics. Currently, U-Tena is working on youth centers to encourage higher rates of contraception use, educate youth on becoming financially independent, and help increase awareness about sexual health.

Our Project // $4,000 to support the Kuza Project

U-Tena is establishing a youth friendly safe space within the slum where young persons will be able to engage in off the street activities (computer games, theatre, music etc), and receive health and life skills education and social services. Peers will specifically outreach to girls, aged 10-17, in the Viwandani-Mukuru slum, and will focus on teaching about sexual healthpractices and how to become financially independent.

The Youth Center: Girls will be taught about personal management, employment seeking, and informed decision-making. Increased skills around finances: both earning and saving, will provide independence and interrupt early initiation into sex activity and mitigate other sex related harms including HIV/STI risk.