OFF TO KENYA FOR DREAMS INNOVATION CHALLENGE LAUNCH

In July, Brick by Brick Uganda was awarded significant funding by the U.S. State Department through its DREAMS Innovation Challenge Grant. DREAMS is an ambitious partnership to reduce new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. AIDS is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. DREAMS is responding to the alarming fact that, every year, 390,000 adolescent girls and young women are infected with HIV— 7,300 every week, more than 1,000 every day. The 10 DREAMS countries account for nearly half of all the new HIV infections that occurred among adolescent girls and young women globally in 2014. Brick by Brick Uganda was one of 54 organizations chosen to receive funding through the Innovation Challenge.

Brick by Brick will use this funding to expand its successful My Pads Program to 16 secondary schools in the Rakai District. The My Pads Program is a 9-session extra-curricular education program for girls and young women on reproductive and sexual health, healthy life choices and women's empowerment. Last week, three of our senior staff, Program Director Alice Male, My Pads Coordinator Suzan Kyambadde and Finance and Administration Manager Prossy Nakayiba, traveled to Nairobi for the DREAMS Innovation Challenge launch. There our team learned much about the DREAMS Program, its goals and the expectations of its implementing partners. We met representatives of other NGOs working in Uganda who we hope to partner with. For Suzan and Prossy, it was there first trip out of Uganda on a plane. To say the least, excitement was the order of the day!

This month, we have begun the process of hiring new staff to begin to implement the DREAMS Program in February of 2017!

BRICK BY BRICK NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2016

LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN UGANDA

Max Ssenyoga is a Mzee. (Pronounced Muzay) In Buganda, the major tribal community of central Uganda where we do most of our work, a Mzee is a trusted elder. Max began his work with Brick by Brick as a community volunteer in 2010. He is a man of Rakai, born and raised in Kalisizo, where Brick by Brick began back in 2003. Max befriended our young Peace Corp volunteer, Jonathan Blanchard, who had an idea about creating a social enterprise, a construction company utilizing Interlocking Stablized Soil Bricks (ISSBs) that help preserve forests and wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa. In time, Max became our first full-time Program Coordinator, helping us to successfully expand our School Program and making Brick by Brick Construction, a profitable social-enterprise with 14 employees. Even when traveling to the most remote villages in the Rakai District, there seems to be not a soul who does not know our Mzee. So when you need the support of a local village chief, or a partner in the district government, there is no one you would rather have at your side than Max!

Several weeks ago Max was in the office working on a report on our recently completed construction projects at three primary schools. Collaboration is a part of Brick by Brick’s culture so for Max to request the assistance of our intern James was not unusual, but the fact that Max was half-crawling across the room to ask his question certainly was! Max and our staff immediately recognized that he was having a stroke. Of course, a stroke is a life-threatening emergency anywhere in the world but even more so in our region of Uganda.

Our staff immediately responded to get Max to one of the best hospitals in Uganda, Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, the capital city. By the time they arrived in the hospital it was very late on a Friday night. James and our driver Aklam Kalule, stayed by Max’s side until his very high blood pressure was stabilized and he was resting comfortably. From the time that Max’s condition was recognized until he was out of danger, our entire staff worked together to ensure that Max was getting the best care possible. The three physicians on our staff, Executive Director, Dr. Dan Murokora, BAMA Clinical Director Dr Eleanor Nakintu and myself, were all in communication to ensure that everything that could be done was being performed in a timely and correct manner. A job well done!

Max is now recovering at home, engaged in a vigorous schedule of physical and occupational therapy. Despite persistent weakness on his left side that has slowed him down a bit, his only complaint is that he can’t return to his job. On a recent visit with Max at his home in Kalisizo, we reminisced on how far we have come since 2010. “Max, can you imagine, just seven years ago, you were our only paid employee.” Max had a wide smile on his face as he said, “I am so happy for all we have accomplished and I am so grateful for my life with Brick by Brick.”

As I sat with Max and his wife Teddy over a traditional Ugandan lunch, I thought of how grateful we all our to have Max with us. How much we all appreciate the many staff who pulled together to support Max. They say “it takes a village to save a child” and this month it took the entire Brick by Brick team to save a life and to show our love and appreciation for our Mzee.

Warmest regards and as always we thank you for your support,

Marc

For more information on how you can partner with Brick by Brick e-mail: marcsklar@brickbybrick.org

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Brick by Brick Uganda Seeking A Community Health Educator

Brick by Brick-Uganda is a growing and innovative bi-national organization that has been operating in Rakai District since 2003. Our main office is in Masaka Town. Our Mission is to create partnerships that improve education, health and economic opportunity in the communities we serve. We have been working with rural communities; rebuilding crumbling Universal Primary Education schools, identifying critical needs in water, sanitation and health delivery and developing a cooperative work plan addressing these problems. Brick by Brick recently received a two-year grant funded by the U.S. State Department to expand the My Pads Program to 16 secondary schools in the Rakai District, serving 2400 students. The My Pads Program aims at empowering young adolescents with reproductive health knowledge and life skills while addressing gaps in access to menstrual hygiene products. Job title: Community Health Educator

Reports to: My Pads Program Coordinator

Role Definition: To provide overall assessment, training and implementation of the My Pads Program. In collaboration with our M&E Officer, assist in monitoring and evaluation of the My Pads Program and most especially under the DREAMS Innovation Challenge Grant implemented by Brick by Brick Uganda.

Location: Masaka & Rakai Districts

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Contract Duration: Two-year contract reviewed annually.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support the development and periodic review of the program plan and budget.
• Plan, assess and select schools to participate in the DREAMS Program.
• Conduct training of trainers activities for teachers and peer educators.
• Coordinate with local teachers and peer educators in the implementation of the My Pads educational program.
• Collect, compile data and make reports in regard to My DREAMS Program.
• Receive and orient program partners at the implementing sites.
• Attend weekly program and stakeholder meetings.
• Requisition and account for activity funds.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and annual program reports.

Technical Training/Health Education Skills and Qualifications

Diploma in Midwifery, Public Health or social work & administration, or equivalent. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. At least 5-10 years experience in Community Health, experience in Reproductive Health Education preferred. Must have very strong presentation, communication and interpersonal skills. Must be Youth-Friendly in your approach. Must be competent in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Fluency in spoken and written Luganda and English required. Fluency in other Western local languages, a plus. Work experience in Uganda, especially working in up-country stations preferred.

Brick by Brick Uganda Seeking A Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Brick by Brick -Uganda is a growing and innovative bi-national organization that has been operating in Rakai District since 2003. Our main office is in Masaka Town. Our Mission is to create partnerships that improve education, health and economic opportunity in the communities we serve. We have been working with rural communities; rebuilding crumbling Universal Primary Education schools, identifying critical needs in water, sanitation and health delivery and developing a cooperative work plan addressing these problems. Job title: Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Reports to: Brick by Brick- Uganda Program Director

Role Definition: To develop a monitoring and evaluation Framework for Brick by Brick - Uganda programs and provide timely and relevant information to Brick by Brick - Uganda stakeholders in line with Brick by Brick - Uganda strategic objectives.

Location: Masaka & Rakai Districts

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Contract Duration: Two-year contract reviewed annually.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with key personnel and manage M&E staff and ensure the strategic and functional integration of all M&E activities as well as active collaboration with donors, other implementers, and local counterparts.
• Coordinate all M&E activities, provide technical direction and support and ensure staff work towards generating results for respective programs.
• Develop and implement M&E policy, tools, systems and procedures to improve ability to collect, interpret and aggregate data that demonstrate impact and program accountability
• Develop and support the design and implementation of baseline, midterm and end of project evaluations, surveys and other components of the M&E system.
• Develop high quality quantitative and qualitative methods and participatory methodologies to monitor program quality for performance and results.
• Provide strategic high level feedback, analysis and interpretation during and throughout proposal development process, support development and review of Results Frameworks, M&E Plans and other M&E documents and procedures.
• Develop program targets, ensure the consistency of tools and indicators across all programs as appropriate, maintain a database of key program indicators, support program staff to incorporate participatory methods into community level M&E systems and tools.
• Work with senior management to identify and pursue strategic opportunities for program development
• Identify capacity gaps and work with the Program Director to build the capacity of BbB - Uganda M&E program staff and partners to ensure smooth implementation program activities.
• Prepare documents for internal and external auditing of programs
• Participate and lead in the compilation and production of reports of respective programs in line with donor and partner reporting requirements.
• Establish mechanism, forum and standard procedures for communication and dissemination of compiled reports to respective stakeholders including staff of BbB - Uganda and partner organizations.
• Document and constantly update best practices, success stories, and lessons learned throughout programs life.

Learning and Sharing:

• Promote a learning culture within BbB - Uganda, lead the process of sharing lessons learned from M&E process with staff.
• Organize learning events and workshops for BbB - Uganda staff and partners to document lessons learned, good practices and areas of improvement;
• Support lessons learned, best practices, program data, evaluations, and other information to generate donor communication pieces, proposal annexes, success stories, case studies, and other high-quality, results-based documentation
• Support learning-to-action events and reflection sessions to systematically analyze data for programmatic use, and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation
• Ensure that M&E and program teams regularly review and accordingly adjust M&E plans and tools in light of changes and needs in the field context based on monitoring data and reflection sessions

Skills and Qualifications:

Degree in Biostatistics or Statistics is a must, a Masters degree in Public Health or post graduate in Monitoring and Evaluation is an added advantage. At least 3-5 years working experience with M&E systems of PEPFAR, DFID and USAID funded health projects. Ability to produce high quality reports. Experience in qualitative research is a plus. Ability to design M&E tools, surveys and surveillance systems. Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity of others. Strong leadership and interpersonal, communication and presentation skills required. Must be fluent both in spoken and written Luganda and English. Work experience in Uganda, especially working in up-country stations preferred.

Brick by Brick-Uganda is an equal opportunities and corruption intolerant employer. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

BRICK BY BRICK NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER IS A HUMAN RIGHT

The problem?

In Uganda, like most of sub-Saharan Africa, women and children's days often begin with the drudgery that is fetching water. Before starting the mile long walk to school, Frances is up before sunrise carrying a 20-liter jerry can weighing 44 pounds on her head, gathering water for her family. Before Brick by Brick partnered with her primary school, she would arrive with her classmates, and be sent off again to fetch water for the school. Day after day, year after year, precious class time is lost due to the lack of access to clean water. Sub-saharan Africans spend about 40 billion hours per year collecting water. That's equal to the work performed by the entire nation of France! This burden, which is carried disproportionately by women and girls, is more than a waste of time. While walking miles on remote rural paths to collect water, women and girls are especially vulnerable to rape and other acts of sexual harassment and violence.

Every year 1.6 million people die around the world due to diarrheal illness. In the time it will take you to read this newsletter 12 human beings, mostly children will have died, not from some mysterious or hard to treat disease but simply due to the lack of access to clean and safe water and sanitation. 1.1 billion people and over half the world's primary schools around the world lack this access. How is it possible that this problem has gone unsolved year after year, decade after decade, not for the lack of a solution but rather that of political will and smartly invested resources.

Brick by Brick is determined to be a part of the solution.

Since we began our work in 2004 in the Rakai District of Uganda, we have been focused on providing access to safe and clean water to our partnering communities. In everyone of the six universal primary schools that we have rebuilt we have constructed rainwater harvesting systems that ensure adequate clean water for all students and teachers. In partnership with the Peace Corp and other Ugandan NGOs, our social enterprise, Brick by Brick Construction Company has built over 90 such systems throughout Uganda, providing clean water for 100,000 people throughout the country. A 30,000 liter rainwater harvesting tank, which can provide adequate water for a school community costs $2,000. Now the good news.... if well maintained our rainwater tanks have a life span of 30 years or more, that's 18 cents per day to provide water for 500 students! 

What can you do to guarantee clean water as a human right?

Over 12 million people in Uganda lack access to clean, safe water, so we still have a way to go. Brick by Brick is nothing without our powerful partners both in Uganda and here in the U.S. So here are a few ideas:

• Throw a Water Party Fundraiser with a goal of raising enough money for Brick by Brick to build a rainwater harvesting tank. You can save money by serving clean, cold water as your beverage of choice!
• Start a Crowd Sourcing project to provide clean water for an entire school of 500 students. We can provide pictures and great stories to get you started.
• You can partner with us in ensuring access to clean water for all children by clicking DONATE

For more information on how you can partner with Brick by Brick e-mail us at: marcsklar@brickbybrick.org

And please share this great news on social media by clicking below:

BRICK BY BRICK NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2016

BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA HIRES NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Since its founding in 2004, Brick by Brick has always depended on a small core of dedicated Ugandan staff and American volunteers. We have experienced extraordinary growth over the past six years. From a single paid staff person in 2011 we now have 10 full time employees working for Brick by Brick Uganda, and an additional 14 skilled staff employed with our social enterprise, Brick by Brick Construction Company.

With this rapid growth has come the need to build and strengthen the capacity of our organization in terms of program management, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that all of our programs are well directed and that every dollar spent is invested wisely. A key part of our long term strategy is to rely on the knowledge and experience of our Ugandan staff. In the hiring of Alice Male as our new Program Director, we have taken a significant step in ensuring strong leadership for Brick by Brick Uganda, now and in the future. Here's what Alice has to say about this new opportunity:

What excites you most about the opportunity of becoming Brick By Brick's first Ugandan Program Director?

"By deciding this is the right time to have a Ugandan as a Program Director, the organization has shown it has trust and confidence in the abilities of Ugandans to effectively manage and expand our organization.... Brick By Brick is a prominent organization in this part of my country, Uganda. It has a good reputation and proven record of delivering development initiatives that are both locally appropriate and sustainable. I therefore consider it a great honor to head its programs. I am representing Ugandans at this realm of directorship - a call I find a great personal achievement. This opportunity gives me the platform to bring the Ugandan perspective to program development and management. It also offers me the opportunity to showcase what Ugandans have and can offer in the overall program development sphere. Like any other Ugandan, I bring on board the national's perspective and understanding of development challenges that can lead the way to birth solutions that are not only relevant, locally appropriate but also sustainable."

Where do I see Brick By Brick Uganda 5 years from now?

"I see Brick By Brick implementing programs that are:

• Wider – expanded geographical coverage, reaching a diverse category of beneficiaries in large numbers
• Deeper – implementing high-impact projects, tackling deep-rooted underlying development issues
• Diversified – expanded range of interventions to include thematic areas new to the organization

I envision Brick by Brick Uganda as a national, strong and solid organization of experienced professionals that successfully delivers on its promises and commitments, meeting or exceeding project goals. We will be known as a lead organization championing staff career development, personal growth and development achieving this through a model  of mentorship, coaching and supporting staff to achieve their dreams as they commit their time, resources and efforts in working for and with disadvantaged, marginalized and oppressed communities. We will become the organization of choice for prospective donor organizations and development agencies looking for credible local organizations to partner with for emergency relief and development programs. I can see Brick by Brick Uganda in the forefront of harnessing and developing new practical, innovative and sustainable development interventions that are scalable."

Tell us a few things about yourself and your family?

"I am 39 years old, married to a loving husband who owns his own construction company. Together we live just outside the capital city of Kampala with our two beautiful children Samantha, who is eight years old and Samuel who is five. A Muganda by tribe, I grew up in a family of nine siblings, with five sisters and four brothers. I was born and raised in Kitetiika village located eight miles from Kampala. My late dad’s passion was to educate all his kids at a time when girl-child education wasn’t a priority in Uganda. This however, did not deter him since he took us to some of the best schools around Kampala; a move that paid off in the long run. Today two of my sisters are lawyers; one brother is a doctor, 3 of my siblings are teachers, 2 social workers and myself a  Public Health professional."

We are all very excited about having Alice join the Brick by Brick team. Thank you Alice, for your commitment to the communities that we serve together.

And please share this great news on social media by clicking below:

BRICK BY BRICK NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2016

MY PADS PROGRAM AWARDED DREAMS INNOVATION CHALLENGE GRANT

When Brick by Brick Uganda Finance and Administration Manager, Prossy Nakayiba wrote an e-mail to our Executive Director about the DREAMS Program it was on the evening of Good Friday.

"When is the deadline?" Marc asked.

"Tuesday, but I think we can do it!" Prossy responded.

For the next four days, including Easter Sunday we worked to get our 'Expression of Interest" submitted. Two months later we learned we were selected as a finalist. We then put together an international team, led by Ugandan grant writer, Margaret Namugamba, and for two weeks we researched and wrote a first class proposal. Two weeks ago, we received the news that we were one of 56 organizations awarded significant funding that will allow us to scale up the My Pads Program to reach 2400 students over the next two years. The DREAMS Program is a US Government led initiative in 10 sub-Saharan countries the goal of which is to reduce HIV incidence in women age 15-24 by 40% over a two year period. The My Pads Program is an innovative educational program that empowers young women with vital knowledge and life skills that can reduce their risk of HIV infection, unwanted pregnancies and dropping out of school.

According to UNICEF one in ten menstruating girls skips school for 4-5 days out of every 28 day cycle or drops out completely. That degree of absenteeism means means losing 13 learning days or 2 weeks, 104 hours of school every term. About 23% of adolescents between ages of 12-18 drop out after they begin menstruating. A study carried out by the Netherlands Development Association in seven districts in Uganda revealed that girls miss 10% of school days due to menstruation. “Girls with even primary level education are two times less likely to have had sex, while girls with secondary education are 3 times less likely.” About one-third of girls drop out of school between the ages of 10-14. Therefore an important part of any strategy to reduce the risk of HIV infection is to intervene early to keep girls in school and address any and all impediments to regular school attendance.

In a survey completed by Brick by Brick Uganda in 2012 among 139 girls in three UPE schools in the Rakai District, 78% reported using dirty old clothes or rags during menstruation. 88% said that they would not purchase Afripads (a locally manufactured hygiene product) at a cost of 12,000 UGX, 92% said they would be interested in making their own reusable pads at a cost of 2500 UGX. 34% reported missing days of school due to their menstrual periods at an average of 3.3 days per month. 23% told us that menses negatively affected their studies. We found profound lack of knowledge in basic reproductive health, with 96% of the respondents reporting they were eager to learn more.

In response to these findings, Brick by Brick Uganda launched the My Pads Program, an 8-week co-educational after school program focusing on reproductive and sexual health, gender equality and the promotion of healthy life choices. This program culminates in the fabrication by the students of a set of four reusable menstrual pads. To date this program has been implemented for 1000 students in the Rakai District, consistently demonstrating a 2-3 fold increase in knowledge regarding reproductive health. In 2015, we expanded this program to include a Training of Trainers component. This three-day workshop has been delivered in ten schools throughout Uganda with a plan to monitor program implementation in 2016 as well as expand this TOT program to additional Peace Corp Uganda schools.

Thanks to the initiative shown by Prossy, we will now be able to expand this program to thousands of young women in our district. You can help us to reach even more students with the My Pads Program by clicking DONATE

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BRICK BY BRICK NEWSLETTER JULY 2016: BRICK BY BRICK CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: A NEW BUSINESS MODEL FOR AFRICA

When we started Brick by Brick Construction in January of 2011, our ambitions were very modest. At the time, our only program involved partnering with free Universal Primary Education Schools to rebuild crumbling classrooms, water and sanitation systems. So when Peace Corp volunteer Jonathan Blanchard and local community leader Max Ssenyonga presented the idea of creating a small construction company utilizing an innovative and environmentally sustainable technology to make bricks (Interlocking Stabilized Soil Bricks), it seemed like a good fit.

Five and a half years later, we have gone farther than we could have imagined in those early days. We have completed 90 construction projects throughout Uganda. Our rainwater harvesting systems are now providing clean, safe drinking water for approximately 100,000 people. While we are all very proud that we have been a profitable enterprise in each of our first five years of operation, the financial bottom line does not really tell the whole story. From the beginning, we have been committed to creating a new model for business that sees social enterprise as a catalyst to improving the health and economic wellbeing of our communities. Our mason staff has been steadily employed for the past four years. We have established a profit-sharing plan, distributing 15% of net profits to our highly skilled workers. We meet regularly with our employees, who have significant input into our company policies. As we have implemented new quality assurance systems, our masons have provided valuable input to ensure success and full partnership.

In the past several months we have expanded our product services beyond the construction of houses, schools, water and sanitation systems. While our masons often lack higher education, we are blessed with a highly skilled and intelligent staff, with real world experience not taught in a traditional classroom. Last month, we facilitated a highly successful weeklong training in solar systems installation attended by our masons and construction management team. This month we will install our first solar system at the Kirumba Primary School, providing electricity to this school of 500 students for the first time.

Late last year I attended a staff meeting with our skilled masons. Profit-sharing distributions were on the agenda but before discussing this I asked our masons a question.

“In a typical business, who keeps the profits?”

All were in agreement and answered almost in unison, “The owners.”

“So, who gets the profits from Brick by Brick Construction?”

“ The profits go back to the community to build schools and water tanks.”

“And where do the rest of the profits go?”

There was a minute of silence before our Chief Mason Sunday Kimera stood and said, “They go to us, the masons.”

“So, who owns Brick by Brick Construction Company?”

The 12 assembled masons began to laugh with recognition of their newly discovered ownership, “We do!”

Brick by Brick Construction Company is forging a new path for social enterprise in Uganda. We have much to learn. This year we began to implement a marketing plan, with the first of our radio ads hitting the airways. Building a successful construction business is not easy and its not without its pitfalls, but if our 13 years working in Uganda has taught us anything is that persistence combined with a willingness to learn from our mistakes pays off in the end, and not just in terms of money but in improving the lives of our employees and the communities we serve.

The Power of the Sun

Brick by Brick Construction Company is a social-enterprise committed to the "Triple Bottom Line", People, Planet and Profit. So it should not come as a surprise when we decided to expand our services to include the instillation of solar energy systems. Facilitated by our newest intern Elie Bou-Gharios, a third-year student at the McGill University Faculty of Engineering, our mason and senior engineering staff participated in a week long training led by staff of the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC). This is an organization, founded in 2001 and affiliated with Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, whose mission is “To enhance access to modern types of energy through research, training and consultancy in East-Africa.”

The training was attended by ten of our skilled mason staff, as well as by our Construction Manager David Mutesaasira, and Engineering Intern James Murduca. Our staff worked along side the CREEC Trainers and learned the basic theory behind solar energy systems appropriate for our communities, as well as the skills needed to install these systems for homes, schools, health centers, etc. Our mason and senior staff worked side by side since we were all beginners when it came to acquiring this new knowledge and skill. The training was a complete success and we have already begun planning our first solar project. installing a solar energy system for Kirumba Primary School!

BRICK BY BRICK NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016

For our first E-newsletter we are focusing on our most ambitious program to date, our:

Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA) Program.

Every year 6,000 mothers and 34,000 newborns die needlessly in Uganda from complications that are easily treated in the U.S and elsewhere. Why are so many women and babies dying in Uganda and throughout the developing world? We know that the majority of these deaths can be prevented by addressing each of 3-Delays:

• Delay in seeking care
• Delay in reaching care
• Delay in receiving care

Women living in rural communities often lack the knowledge of when to begin to seek maternal health care services. Gender inequality robs many women of the power to make this life saving decision. Once a woman in labor chooses to seek care at a health facility she often faces tremendous challenges due to poor transportation systems, roads and lack of funds. The final insult is that once a woman reaches a hospital she often finds providers who lack the knowledge and skills needed to handle even the most common of obstetric complications, shortages of life saving medications, surgical equipment or the facility to provide blood transfusions.

Access to quality maternal and newborn care is a human right. After completing a needs assessment of the 24 health centers and hospitals in the Rakai District, in partnership with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, we have begun a training and mentoring program for doctors, nurses and midwives to dramatically reduce maternal and newborn mortality in our district. We go beyond improving the knowledge and skills of providers and work to strengthen the management of health facilities to ensure that improvements are sustainable over time.

In the coming months we will provide updates, photos and personal stories documenting both our successes and challenges. Please watch the deeply moving video below that tells the story of why our mothers, sisters and daughters are dying and what we can do to avert this on-going tragedy.

Thank you for all your support that makes our work possible. If you would like to find out more about our work, please e-mail me with any questions or feedback at marcsklar@brickbybrick.org

To help us expand our impact click here to help keep, Babies and Mothers Alive

Why Did Mrs X Die

[video width="640" height="360" mp4="http://www.brickbybrick.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Extract-from-Why-Did-Mrs-X-Die-Retold-SD-1.mp4"][/video]

Brick by Brick Uganda Seeking Program Director

Brick by Brick Uganda is a small but innovative bi-national organization which has been operating in Rakai District since 2003. Our main offices are located in Masaka Town. Our Mission is to create partnerships that improve education, health and economic opportunity for the communities we serve. We have been working with rural communities rebuilding crumbling Universal Primary Education schools, identifying critical needs in water, sanitation and health delivery and developing a cooperative work plan addressing these problems. Brick by Brick Uganda is looking for a very creative, proactive, talented, experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Program Director to be part of its team.

How to apply: Send your application by email to Jacqueline Kalembe at: jkalembe@outlook.com, with your CV, cover letter, attach certified copies of academic certificates with their receipts and details of three contactable referees by 20th May 2016. Please include in the subject line: Program Director. Applicants from Uganda are strongly preferred.

Please see the Job Description below:

Job Title: Brick by Brick Uganda Program Director

Reports To: Brick by Brick Uganda Executive Director and Brick by Brick Partners (USA) Executive Director

Role Definition: To provide for the management and oversight of all programs and projects implemented by Brick by Brick Uganda. To oversee the monitoring and evaluation of all programs and projects implemented by Brick by Brick Uganda.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Program Directors/Coordinators of each program develop, update and monitor the progress of the respective program work plans.
• In collaboration with the Program Directors/Coordinators of each program develop and approve budgets for each of Brick by Brick Uganda’s programs.
• Develop agenda for weekly staff meeting to regularly monitor progress on program activities and coordinate staff schedules for the coming week.
• Chair weekly staff meeting
• In collaboration with Program Directors/Coordinators ensure implementation of program work plans and M&E plans
• Provide oversight and support for Program Directors and Coordinators in fulfilling their program objectives and deliverables.
• Review and provide feedback to Program Directors/Coordinators on quarterly program progress reports and ensure delivery of final report.
• Prepare and deliver Brick by Brick Uganda quarterly program progress report (encompassing all programs) to Brick by Brick Uganda and Brick by Brick Partners Executive Directors
• Attend weekly meeting with Brick by Brick Partners Executive Director to review status and progress of program activities and deliverables
• Prepare and deliver annual report on Brick by Brick Uganda’s programs
• Meet monthly with Brick by Brick Uganda Finance and Administration Manager to review program expenditures and budget.
• In collaboration with Brick by Brick Uganda Finance and Administration Manager, Brick by Brick Partners Treasurer and Brick by Brick Partners Executive Director prepare annual budget for the fiscal year (Jan-Dec).
• Lead interview committees for the hiring of new employees.
• Orient and train new staff hires.
• Prepare presentations and represent Brick by Brick Uganda at national, regional and international meetings as required.
• Provide logistic support for and host national and international visitors to our Masaka and/or Kalisizo offices as well as program sites.
• Provide logistic support for Brick by Brick Interns, both national and international as well as Peace Corp volunteers.
• Coordinate regular postings on Brick by Brick social media platforms and Brick by Brick website blog
• Attend Brick by Brick Uganda Board of Directors Annual Meeting and serve as recording secretary in order to maintain records
• Submit minutes of above meeting within ten working days to the Brick by Brick Uganda and Brick by Brick Partners Executive Directors

Other duties:

• Network with potential community and national stakeholders on as needed basis.
• Meet with potential organizational partners when delegated by the Executive Director.
• Assist in organizational fundraising duties and/or grant writing as delegated by the Executive Director.
• The Program Manager may be assigned to perform duties at any time for Brick by Brick Uganda not specified in this job description but relevant for the development of Brick by Brick Uganda and meeting its mission, vision and objectives. The position of program coordinator requires flexibility to assume required tasks as needed.
• As a representative of the organization, the Program Manager will be expected to conduct him/herself in an exemplary fashion. All duties must be in accord with the Brick by Brick Uganda Code of Conduct and performed in an ethical and forthright manner as expected of a Ugandan professional.

Key Qualifications and Work Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work, Social Administration, Business Administration (Majoring in Management) or equivalent, Masters Degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in program management.
• At least 1 years’ experience in engaging with district stakeholders.
• Ability to manage a diverse, multicultural team, international team.
• Work experience in Uganda preferred.
• Must have strong decision making abilities especially in crisis under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Must be fluent both in spoken and written in Luganda and English. Fluency in other Ugandan local languages is a plus.
• Must be proficient in the use of various project management computer applications , as well as Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Skype.
• Must have strong speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience in working with upcountry stations.

Brick by Brick-Uganda is an equal opportunities and corruption intolerant employer. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

BAMA Program Opens New Offices In Kalisizo

The Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA) Program is a partnership with the Ugandan Ministry of Health to improve the quality of Maternal and Newborn Health in the Rakai District. To date, we have preformed a needs assessment in the 24 public Health Centers and hospitals that deliver care to mothers and their babies. In this comprehensive report, critical gaps in care were identified. In the coming months, we will begin training and mentoring activities for health providers in our district, as well as capacity-building in health management. Opening our program offices in Kalisizo, close to the people we serve, will allow us to build strong partnerships with local communities and the Ugandan Government.

Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA) Program Strives to Improve Health Facility Management

Every year 7,000 women die in Uganda due to complications of pregnancy; almost all of these deaths are preventable. After performing a Needs Assessment at the 24 Health Centers that provide maternal and newborn care in the Rakai District, Brick by Brick Uganda has launched the Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA) Program. The goal of this program is to reduce maternal and newborn mortality in the district through training and mentoring of heath care providers and institutional capacity building. Last week, we began our work by holding a 2-day training in Logistics Management for staff from each of the district's health centers.

Providing Educational Opportunity for Prisoners in Uganda: A New Partnership

Brick by Brick Construction staff met with Professor Arthur Sserwanga PhD and his team to discuss an exciting new project to build classrooms for prisoners at Masaka Prison. Professor Sserwanga is the Vice Chancellor of Muteesa Royal University here in Masaka and has a long track record of successfully advocating and delivering effective prison reform in Uganda. Partnering with Professor Sserwanga was recent Pitzer College graduate Ashton Hoselton, who has a background in prison education programs in the U.S. Brick by Brick Construction will be building adequate classroom space for the Masaka Prison so that essential educational and vocational programs can begin. In addition, we will be providing training and income generating construction jobs to the prisoners who will fully participate in this project. The prisoners will soon become students in classrooms they have helped build themselves.

Annual Brick by Brick Construction Company Meeting Held in Kalisizo

On October 21st Brick by Brick Construction Company held a luncheon meeting with our skilled masons. Chief Mason Sunday Kimera reported on our successes as well as what we need to grow as a company in the coming year. Brick by Brick Construction Company is a social enterprise where we take seriously the views of our skilled and dedicated staff. As Chief Mason Sunday Kimera said at the meeting, "If the masons share in the profits of Brick by Brick Construction Company, then we are all owners." Sunday reported on the need for additional and improved tools and equipment. We recently purchased an additional brick press and now we will begin to research the cost of the equipment recommended by our staff.

Brick by Brick Partners Board Members Visit Uganda

Brick by Brick Board of Directors Chair Adam Rabinovitch and Board member Eileen Mahoney visited our many projects during their recent trip to Uganda. After meeting with our program staff and discussing our plans for the coming year, Adam and Eileen visited several rural communities where we have programs. They spent a day observing a My Pads training and met with the ten masons who make up the dedicated staff of our social enterprise, Brick by Brick Construction Company. Eileen and Adam will now return to the U.S. even more prepared to serve as effective ambassadors for our work.

BRICK BY BRICK AT THE UGANDA WATER AND SANITATION NETWORK (UWASNET) CONFERENCE IN KAMPALA

Brick by Brick attended the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network's Annual Conference. We were well represented by Brick by Brick Construction Manager, David Mutesaasira and Engineering Intern James Murduca. David and James presented a slide show of our work in the WASH sector throughout Uganda and met many potential partners and clients.

BRINGING WOMEN'S HEALTH EXPERTISE TO KIBOGORA RWANDA

Brick by Brick is partnering with Dr. Lisa Nathan of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in sponsoring Dr. Desire Patauli in his training to become an obstetrician-gynecologist. Upon completion of his studies in Uganda, Desire will return to Kibogora Hospital in western Rwanda, where he will work for the women and children of this underserved community.

BRICK BY BRICK TO LAUNCH PROGRAM TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND NEWBORN CARE IN THE RAKAI DISTRICT

Brick by Brick is launching our BAMA Program (Babies and Mothers Alive), designed to improve maternal and newborn care in the Rakai District of ‪‎Uganda‬. Brick by Brick Uganda Executive Director, Dr. Dan Murokora and Program Coordinator Sandra Mirembe, met today with Brick by Brick Partners co-founder Dr Marc Robert Sklar to plan our program initiatives for the coming year.