May 2012 in Uganda, Mozambique, & Ethiopia

Photo: Living Goods
Door to Door Health Care in Kampala, Uganda

Living Goods works to get basic health care products to the community by selling them door to door at discounted prices.Living Goods works to get basic health care products to the community by selling them door to door at discounted prices.
Community Health Promoter Zam Byakika assists Mrs. Margaret Nsubuga (48) and her granddaughter Shabira Namfuka (2), who is suffering from diarrhea and stomach pains. Based on Shabira's symptoms, Mrs. Byakika sells her grandmother deworming medication.Community Health Promoter Zam Byakika assists Mrs. Margaret Nsubuga (48) and her granddaughter Shabira Namfuka (2), who is suffering from diarrhea and stomach pains. Based on Shabira's symptoms, Mrs. Byakika sells her grandmother deworming medication.
Uganda’s HIV infection rate was as high as 25 percent in the late 1980′s but today remains around 8 percent. Living Goods’ Community Health Promoters also sell condoms and promote their use. Uganda’s HIV infection rate was as high as 25 percent in the late 1980′s but today remains around 8 percent. Living Goods’ Community Health Promoters also sell condoms and promote their use.
Sarah Najuko (3rd from left) and her family are all HIV positive. When LG's Community Health Promoters encounter more serious health problems, they are able to make referrals to local hospitals, pushing clients to the front of the line.Sarah Najuko (3rd from left) and her family are all HIV positive. When LG's Community Health Promoters encounter more serious health problems, they are able to make referrals to local hospitals, pushing clients to the front of the line.
Each of Living Goods' 150 Community Health Promoters compete for monthly sales awards and bonuses. Above, Grace Inacho is the manager at Kampala's Nsangi Branch.Each of Living Goods' 150 Community Health Promoters compete for monthly sales awards and bonuses. Above, Grace Inacho is the manager at Kampala's Nsangi Branch.
Counterfit drugs remain a problem in Uganda. Many have come to rely on Living Goods’ reputable products.Counterfit drugs remain a problem in Uganda. Many have come to rely on Living Goods’ reputable products.
LG targets areas that have limited health care resources but that can still afford to purchase their discounted health care products.LG targets areas that have limited health care resources but that can still afford to purchase their discounted health care products.
While currently working in and around Kampala, Living Goods plans to expand to northern Uganda as well as neighboring Rwanda and Kenya.While currently working in and around Kampala, Living Goods plans to expand to northern Uganda as well as neighboring Rwanda and Kenya.
Community Health Promoter Betty Naabbaale writes a referral to a local hospital. Living Goods works with local health care centers to ensure residents in the community receive proper treatment. Community Health Promoter Betty Naabbaale writes a referral to a local hospital. Living Goods works with local health care centers to ensure residents in the community receive proper treatment.
Community Health Promoter Betty Naabbaale (60) trudges through the streets of Jambula, a neighborhood in Kampala where she makes rounds daily. Community Health Promoter Betty Naabbaale (60) trudges through the streets of Jambula, a neighborhood in Kampala where she makes rounds daily.
  • Living Goods works to get basic health care products to the community by selling them door to door at discounted prices.
  • Community Health Promoter Zam Byakika assists Mrs. Margaret Nsubuga (48) and her granddaughter Shabira Namfuka (2), who is suffering from diarrhea and stomach pains. Based on Shabira's symptoms, Mrs. Byakika sells her grandmother deworming medication.
  • Uganda’s HIV infection rate was as high as 25 percent in the late 1980′s but today remains around 8 percent. Living Goods’ Community Health Promoters also sell condoms and promote their use.
  • Sarah Najuko (3rd from left) and her family are all HIV positive. When LG's Community Health Promoters encounter more serious health problems, they are able to make referrals to local hospitals, pushing clients to the front of the line.
  • Each of Living Goods' 150 Community Health Promoters compete for monthly sales awards and bonuses. Above, Grace Inacho is the manager at Kampala's Nsangi Branch.
  • Counterfit drugs remain a problem in Uganda. Many have come to rely on Living Goods’ reputable products.
  • LG targets areas that have limited health care resources but that can still afford to purchase their discounted health care products.
  • While currently working in and around Kampala, Living Goods plans to expand to northern Uganda as well as neighboring Rwanda and Kenya.
  • Community Health Promoter Betty Naabbaale writes a referral to a local hospital. Living Goods works with local health care centers to ensure residents in the community receive proper treatment.
  • Community Health Promoter Betty Naabbaale (60) trudges through the streets of Jambula, a neighborhood in Kampala where she makes rounds daily.

Living Goods is a community health organization working in the slums of Kampala, Uganda’s largest city, where there is a lack of proven basic health care products and a lack of knowledge in when and how they should be used. LG trains women who work in an Avon-like system, selling health care products such as de-worming tablets, mosquito nets, malaria treatment, and water purification tabs door to door. The organization receives these goods at a lower cost by buying in bulk and passes these savings on to its customers. Poorer clients are extremely cost-conscious and many have come to rely on Living Goods’ discounted products.

LG’s model works to educate neighborhoods and communities about proper health care and disease prevention and makes basic prevention and treatment products more affordable. It also creates jobs for its saleswomen, known as Community Health Promoters, who keep 20% of sales. LG currently operates four branches, or distribution centers, in Kampala. More are planned elsewhere in East Africa. Each branch is designed to be entirely self-sustaining within three years of opening.