DEAR Editor,-
I write on behalf of the Bright Research project in Shelly Beach, which is a South African-Norwegian cooperation, doing research and treatment in rural areas.
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We are a non-profit organisation and, though formally and academically connected to UKZN and Oslo University Hospital (amongst other institutions), we are economically and politically independent.
We have been working in South Africa since 2009, doing fieldwork in the Ugu, Ilembe and uThungulu districts, mainly focused on the bilharzia issue and how it affects young girls. The disease ‘female genital schistosomiasis’ (FGS) has been neglected over so many years and lacked proper research studies.
Our project has produced several PhDs and academic papers over the years, regarding diagnostics, treatment and prevalence by both South African, Norwegian and other European scientists. One study also shows the correlation between FGS and the risk of being infected with HIV.
During this time, we’ve employed a local staff of nurses, research assistants, drivers and security guards – mainly females from the very same areas where we work.
As an NGO, we need to find our own funding. Historically we’ve been supported by several foreign funds like the Norwegian Research Council and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Now we find ourselves in a difficult financial situation – out of grants and forced to let most staff members go.
We recently ran a donation campaign in Norway and generous people donated money to fund a new treatment campaign in rural Ugu schools, but we are still running on a very low budget and need to source local contributors and donors.
We appeal to any business or organisation with a charity budget and wonder if there is room for Bright Research on it.
We cannot offer too much in return, except the goodwill that comes out of sponsorship. We do however have a professional website (brightresearch.org) with room for business logos.
By helping us, you will be helping many children and women out there. The organisation shares and distributes results and future plans include teaching and training local healthcare staff. In time we hope to make the organisation a sustainable all-South African independent institution.
LARS HOLTEN
Bright Research (076 5559252)
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