Western Heads East is making a difference in Africa

Western Heads East provides disease-fighting nourishment to orphans and other AIDS-affected children while meeting the nutritional needs and alleviating the symptoms of people living with HIV/AIDS.

This innovative program which involves staff, students, faculty and the broader community in teaching, research and service is easing the plight of African women by providing them with food, developing their skills and empowering them through independence and control over their economic status.

Research conducted by Western’s Dr. Gregor Reid and Dr. Sharareh Hekmat showed that probiotics can alleviate the risk factor for HIV infection in women and lower mortality and morbidity from diarrhea in patients with AIDS. In 2005, student interns travelled to Mwanza to teach a group of local women how to make disease-fighting probiotic yogurt. Since then, The Tukwamuane Women’s Group has been formed and relationships with other organizations have been forged.

A donation from Northwater Capital Management, allowed for the purchase of more land in Mwanza city to raise cows, as well as providing much-needed funds for the upgrading and renovation of the kitchen where yogurt is produced. Together, Western Heads East and donors like Northwater Capital Management are making a difference by inspiring community engagement and a global outlook.

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