Alaska Sudan Medical Project

With the vision of "building hope and health for life," the Alaska Sudan Medical Project has worked in a remote, impoverished region of South Sudan since 2008 to provide health, water, sanitation and agricultural systems one of the world's newest and poorest countries. This remote region carries some of the worst and most alarming health statistics on the planet. In Jonglei State, South Sudan, where the Alaska Sudan Medical Project is working, children die needlessly of disease and malnutrition. The infant mortality rate is 1,700 deaths per 100,000 births. Nearly 20% of the people suffer from chronic hunger and only 10% of the children have received full childhood immunizations (Oxfam, UN). In November 2007 Alaska doctor Jack Hickel visited the remote village of Old Fangak in Jonglei State at the invitation of Dr. Jill Seaman, an Alaskan doctor who has been working in Sudan for over 20 years, and who is one of the world's foremost experts in treating kala-azar. What they found was even more desperate than they could have imagined. In just a ten day period Dr. Hickel watched several villagers die from preventable diseases and malnutrition. Dr. Jack Hickel came home convinced that his community could do something to help the people of Old Fangak. He gathered a group of friends together and formed the Alaska Sudan Medical Project (ASMP). After consulting with Dr. Seaman and envisioning a clear mission, the initial goals of supporting the vital work of Dr. Seaman and improving the health of the local population was formed. The mission of ASMP is simple: to "save lives through health, clean water, and agriculture." Our main goals are to build new health clinics, improve sanitation, provide access to clean water through water well drilling and other methods, and to support small agricultural projects to address frequent famines. Our work gives the Sudanese people a chance to not only survive, but to have hope of a better tomorrow. This vital work, however, can be immensely challenging. Due to a complete lack of roads and infrastructure, few other non-governmental organizations are willing to work in this region. The good news is that the small, grass-roots approach of ASMP is working, and our volunteers, who are accustomed to working in remote regions in Alaska, are adaptable and patient in the face of logistical challenges. By focusing on giving training and tools to the locals to become self-sufficient, we can hope that in a few years they will have the infrastructure to not only live, but to thrive.