The END Fund

We are working with out partners supported by the ARISE Fund to highlight the people behind the programs. This month, we are a featuring an article by Wycliff Peter Omondi, Head of the Neglected Tropical Disease Unit in Kenya's Ministry of Health. Wycliff discusses the career path that led him into the field of neglected tropical diseases and public health. https://bit.ly/40jWuq9

Hydroceles, a symptoms of lymphatic filariasis, can be painful and disfiguring. At the end of 2022, 794 million people were living in areas considered at risk for infection throughout Asia, Africa, the western Pacific, and parts of the Caribbean and South America, while 51.4 million people were estimated to be infected in 2018. Lymphatic filariasis is often present in the most marginalized populations in rural areas with poor infrastructure, housing, water and sanitation. Read more about efforts to control the disease in Uganda. https://bit.ly/3C2UCIh

Nigeria's neglected tropical disease program recently received some encouraging news, as pushes to curb open defecation and eliminate NTDs have been issued in the country - potentially returning as much as $19B in economic growth. Of the news, END Fund Senior Director of Investor Relations, Oyetola Oduyemi says, "we all have a part to play" in eliminating NTDs. Click the link to learn more. https://bit.ly/3U97SRR

In September, the END Fund hosted ‘Partners Forum: Country Perspectives on Ending Neglected Diseases within Climate Resilient Health Systems’ - a deep dive into the impacts of climate change that are increasingly hindering efforts to treat and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other diseases. Like malaria, NTDs disproportionately affect populations vulnerable to extreme weather and other climate-related challenges. This partners forum built on the dialogue generated by the recently published papers. During the discussion, we heard perspectives from community organizations, governments, and multilateral institutions that inform the fast-growing debate around how political and financial systems must coordinate to support the communities most affected by climate change and who contribute least to its causes, and how disease elimination strategies can evolve considering these challenges. Check out the recap of the forum: https://bit.ly/4hdeaJY

Last week, The Fly Collectors premiered at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival, offering an exploration of the fight against river blindness in Senegal. The film places audiences into the heart of a country where volunteers, with quiet determination, are battling a neglected tropical disease that once devastated entire communities, leaving many blind or severely visually impaired. Through powerful storytelling, we are beginning to understand the profound implications of disease eliminations from parts of the world that may never have imagined a disease free world to be possible. Click the link for more information on The Fly Collectors. www.theflycollectors.com

Progress Over Perfection: A Lesson in #SustainableImpact I used to be a perfectionist. Every project had to be flawless, and if it fell short, I’d replay the moments over and over, finding every reason to be disappointed. But time has taught me to shift my perspective. Advancing in years - alongside a healthy dose of unlearning and re-learning - has made me rethink the value of perfection. I have learnt a valuable lesson: progress, not perfection, is the true catalyst for lasting change. Progress is sustainable, and #sustainability is what truly matters. This shift in mindset reflects not only my personal growth but also my work in public health, particularly in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (#NTDs). Tackling NTDs, improving public health outcomes, and fostering Africa’s sustainable development are formidable challenges. These issues are not solved overnight, and they certainly aren’t solved perfectly. The progress we’ve made - though not perfect - has been transformative. And it’s that progress, those tangible steps forward, that I choose to focus on. I love these photos I’m sharing. The first is of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, where I attended the NNN Conference 2024, a pivotal moment in our global NTD discussions. The second captures intricate details of an angle of the towers' exterior, highlighting a complex tapestry that mirrors the challenges of public health work. I shot both pictures. The third photo is from the Chicago Ledge, taken by my son , aged 11, during a recent family holiday. My older twin son has an amazing eye for detail! He captured the perfect shot, while the adults around him struggled (including my dear husband - no shade, but... side-eye). Reflecting on my experience at the Petronas Towers versus the Chicago Ledge, I was struck by how different they felt. I expected the same awe, the same vibe - but they offered something entirely unique. And it reminded me of my own journey in choosing progress over perfection. We may not always get the perfect outcome, but every step we take forward is valuable. Whether it’s pushing for better health outcomes or advancing sustainable development in Africa, I’ve learned that sustainable progress is the goal. It’s what creates lasting change. And so I choose progress. After all, in the realm of creating lasting change, progress is the truest form of perfection. #sustainabledevelopment #Africa #progress #impact

Last night we celebrated Reframing Neglect - the fine art and documentary photography series bringing awareness to the issue of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) - in its first showing on the African continent. The evening was accentuated by a profound discussion led by photographer Meseret Argaw Demissie and photographer/curator, Sarah Waiswa. They dove into the power their art can hold as a tool for advocacy and the significance of series' first trip to the continent. Be sure to check out the exhibition at the historic McMillan Memorial Library, downtown Nairobi, now open to the public through November 5! Click the link for more information about the series. https://bit.ly/3CkNML7 Thanks to all that helped make such an important and special evening! #BeatNTDs

What happens when medicines don't work? Resistance to drugs is trending upwards - a result of misuse and overuse - with implication already being felt in parts of the African continent. Drug resistance means more death and illnesses. But how to we fix this? We must reduce the burden of diseases that require antibiotic treatment. "One group of infectious diseases prevalent in Africa are the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). There are already effective tools to prevent and even eliminate them. But every year, millions of people are infected and treated for them using antimicrobials. This increases the risk of spreading resistance. Read more to find out why eliminating NTDs could help the entire globe reduce the resistance to medication. https://bit.ly/3Yg6yin

Back in the virtual office after an incredible month of work travel with The END Fund. In Madagascar, we documented the stories of women who have overcome Female Genital Schistosomaisis (FGS) - a manifestation of Schisto/Bilharzia that impacts over 56 million girls and women in Sub-Saharan Africa, causing debilitating pain, infertility, and stigma while increasing the risk of associated infections like HIV and cervical cancer. We support both FGS and Schistosomaisis Mass Drug Administration in Madagascar. It was hugely inspiring to connect with women whose lives benefited from our programs and to see the ripple effects of increasing health seeking behavior in the communities and health systems strengthening broadly. After a brief break in South Africa reconnecting with some friends, I was fortunate to attend the Neglected Tropical Diseqase NGO Network (NNN) conference in Malaysia. At NNN we balanced absorbing new knowledge, presenting and sharing our ideas, connecting with colleagues, and networking with new faces - plus some exploring, of course. Now back home and feeling fortunate to begin to apply all the learnings! 🌍

Stunting, a result of malnutrition, dropped by 20% among Ethiopian children since 2000. Read about the @UNICEF supported and END Fund funded project that has such positive results, and the work still left to help the 5.8 million children still suffering. https://uni.cf/4eRV7D8