Hell and Hope in a Wounded Land:
A Personal Account


Friday, February 20th 7:30pm
rm555, 5th floor, Alfred Lerner Hall

Deogratias ('01 GS) will discuss the healthcare and reconciliation challenges he faced establishing a clinic in post-genocide Burundi. In 2006, with support from Dr. Paul Farmer's organization, Partners in Health, Deo worked with community members to build and begin operating a model health center in the rural village of Kigutu.

Tracy Kidder, who'll introduce Deo, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who recently completed a new book about Deo's life and work, Strength in What Remains.

This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP. Non-CUID holders must RSVP to gain entry to the building. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

RSVP Here

Deogratias Biography:

An émigré from Burundi, an East African nation which has the unfortunate distinction of being ranked consistently as one of the world's poorest countries, Deo came to the United States during the civil wars in both Rwanda and Burundi in 1994. He brought with him to this country an interest in medicine and public health, and public service, which propelled him through his undergraduate studies at Columbia University and to the School of Public Health at Harvard University. After graduating from Harvard, Deo worked closely with Dr. Paul Farmer and his organization, Partners in Health, in Boston, Haiti, and Rwanda.

Deo, now a US citizen, is the Founder and Chairperson, Village Health Works, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization based in the US and operating in Burundi. Village Health Works has modeled itself on Partners in Health, which has served as its incubator and sponsor. Village Health Works acts together with the local community and government to initiate and strengthen health care facilities and services, access to clean water and safe food, and basic education and economic opportunity.

www.villagehealthworks.org