Moses' Master's Research in Hep E

Help me fund Moses Katagwa's master's research on Hepatitis E in Kampala, Uganda!!  Uganda has suffered some of the largest outbreaks of Hep E in the world, but the disease--which has significant lethality rates, especially for pregnant women--is grossly under-researched and under-addressed there.   There have been no studies conducted to determine the prevalence of Hep E in its main reservoir and primary source of transmission to humans: pigs.  Moses wants to fill that gap.  Moses' research is designed to give a better understanding of the prevalence of Hep E in swine and of the human risks associated with handling and consumption of this important food source, so that the disease can be addressed at its origin.

I met Moses at a government-funded all boys boarding high school in Uganda in 2006.  Moses knew that education was the key to overcoming his circumstances.  When I returned to the U.S. a small group of friends and I decided to sponsor Moses while he earned his B.S., which he did in strides.  But this was not enough.   In 2013, determined to make a better life for himself and his fellow Ugandans, Moses applied for and was one of only 12 students to be accepted to Makerere University's (one of Africa's top universities) new master's program in International Infectious Diseases.  Now, two years later, Moses has successfully finished his course work and has had his research proposal accepted.  He needs only to conduct his research and write his thesis, and several job prospects await.   

Moses needs $8,000 to complete his project, which includes (among other things) funds for hundreds of testing kits, lab time, a research assistant, administration and analysis of tests and questionnaires, and important advertising to increase participation.  While $8k is nothing to sneeze at (in fact, it is A LOT of money--which is why I can't sponsor him myself!), it is actually very little when you consider what a similar full-scale scientific research study would cost in the U.S., or what the same study would cost in Uganda if conducted by an outside group.   

Your contribution to Moses will have immediate and direct impacts on ONE life, and lasting impacts on the MANY whose lives will be affected by Moses' research project and by all of Moses' future work.

Thank you!!