Making the Links

Since 2005, the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan has offered a unique service-learning elective program, called Making the Links.  Selected undergraduate students experience community health and development in the contexts of rural/remote health in a northern Saskatchewan community, an urban underserved community in Saskatoon at SWITCH (the Student Wellness Initiative Towards Community Health), and in the Global South in Mozambique.  Making the Links exposes students to the determinants of health and the importance of community in these various settings.  Making the Links is the first step to becoming a socially accountable physician.

"Throughout the two years I've been involved in 'Making the Links', the most profound aspect for me is the people we encountered in Northern Saskatchewan, at SWITCH and in Mozambique.  The people have made each experience that we have had unique and rewarding.  The project gives medical students a unique learning opportunity that they don't get anywhere else in their medical education".  Jacelyn Hanson (Making the Links 2004-2006)

What's New

Help Support the  Casa de Espera Project in Mozambique

A group of Canadian Medical students spent the summer of 2009 living and working in Mozambique in a community called Massinga. They became familiar with many of the challenges facing this community, and became interested in working with the community to help build a "Casa de Espera das Maes Gravidas" which literally translates to “House for waiting pregnant mothers”.  The house is intended to provide a comfortable place for pregnant women to stay in the weeks leading up to their due date to ensure they are near medical help if and when it is needed. 60% of Mozambique's population live in rural areas, and the town of Massinga serves a huge rural population of approximately 200,000 people. Many of these women must walk for days to reach the hospital, which places both mother and child at risk if they wait until they are in labour before coming to town.  Unfortunately, women in this community are not coming to stay at the Casa de Espera, because the building is no longer an appropriate place for anyone to live.  The goal of the Casa de Espera Project is to raise enough funds to build a new building that will comfortable, safe and welcoming. Read more....

Making the Links Video is now on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/user/MakingtheLinks

This two-part video is a preview of a full-length documentary currently in production.  You will see and hear from students involved in the Making the Links program at the College of Medicine and meet a variety of people who play an important role in providing memorable experiences for the students. Since 2005 Making the Links has exposed students to the determinants of health and the importance of community in three unique locations:  Northern Saskatchewan, Mozambique, and the Saskatoon Westside Community Clinic --- home of the SWITCH Clinic (Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health.  Making the Links is the first step to becoming a socially accountable physician.

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