Talk:VillageReach

VillageReach Page Updates
Hello! My name is Anna, and I am currently the Assistant for Communication and Development at VillageReach. I noticed that this page is outdated and does not include information on the current work of VillageReach. As I have a clear COI, I would like to start the collaborative process of updating this page through Edit Requests. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Anna at VillageReach (talk • contribs) 21:47, 5 May 2016 (UTC)

Hi All! As has been pointed out to me some of my recent changes have gone above and beyond what I initially intended - "small, uncontroversial edits." I would really appreciate if someone could review my recent changes to assure neutrality and going forward I'll outline any future edits here. Thanks for your help! Anna at VillageReach (talk) 18:55, 23 May 2016 (UTC)


 * Looks fine to me, only thing of note is there are no citations in the intro paragraph. So thats really the only thing I see at the moment.--Cameron11598 (Talk) 22:04, 23 May 2016 (UTC)
 * On second thought I'm seeing more issues than I did on my first glance... --Cameron11598 (Talk) 22:16, 23 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Would you care to elaborate on what those issues are? WikiDan61 ChatMe!ReadMe!! 10:21, 24 May 2016 (UTC)
 * An Example would be "VillageReach leverages the private sector" the average person is going to have no Idea what that even means, I even have a hard time understanding it. It seems more like a marketing buzz phrase than something that would be an encyclopedic entry. The article (at least in my opinion) seems more like an advertisement or a magazine piece than an encyclopedia entry. There are some sections that have been added that are on sourced (I don't want to tag bomb the article) such as the claim to USAID and Unicef funding. There is no citation to back it up. "VillageReach builds the capacity" again what is that supposed to mean? Things like that make it seem more like a corporate profile than an encyclopedia entry. Thats what I was referring to. Also I'm marking this help me request as answered now,  --Cameron11598 (Talk) 14:58, 24 May 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm happy to provide sources for some of the above mentioned. I really do appreciate everyone's input here, this COI thing is more difficult that I thought it would be!
 * USAID funding sources: and well as Here is a source for UNICEF
 * Sources will certainly help, and I've started to clear up some of the jargon, but some of the jargon is so thick that I can't clarify it. What exactly is meant by this sentence:
 * VillageReach leverages the private sector for health system efficiency including models that complement communication, transport and energy needs, such as the VidaGas company that provides fuel for VillageReach's needs but also caters to local businesses in Mozambique.
 * It seems that VillageReach has created a for-profit subsidiary called VidaGas that, in addition to providing for the energy needs of VillageReach programs, also serves the local communities as a direct fuel retailer. But I'm not sure that I've interpreted the sentence correctly (which is the problem with using such jargon in the first place: it is intentionally vague which serves a business' needs when talking about itself but does not serve the needs of an encyclopedia). WikiDan61 ChatMe!ReadMe!! 20:20, 24 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Dan's assessment is correct. VillageReach tries to find ways to incorporate for-profit businesses and social enterprises as one way of solving health care access issues like transportation or energy (Vidagas being the example). VillageReach also tries to take models used in for-profit settings, such as supply chain analysis in order to find new ways of resolving problems.
 * For the Capacity Building of health care workers, see as well as here "Capacity Building" refers to the building of knowledge and skills that enable the healthcare workers to better preform their duties. In the case of the Pharmacy Assistants, they were given training in supply chain management.
 * Please make sure to sign your talk page posts. Also why not say that instead of referring it to capacity building? When you use phrases like that it makes the article difficult to understand. Cameron11598 (Talk) 02:50, 25 May 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure whether that was a rhetorical question or not... but 'Capacity Building' is generally used to refer to 'training' because it implies a more comprehensive, inclusive approach to building skills and capabilities. Anna at VillageReach (talk) 15:48, 26 May 2016 (UTC)

"Capacity Building" may have that implied meaning among those who are daily immersed in the non-profit or foreign aid world, but for the general public, "Capacity Building" has little or no meaning, which is why plain speaking is always preferred to industry jargon. WikiDan61 ChatMe!ReadMe!! 16:48, 26 May 2016 (UTC)
 * , thats exactly what I am trying to get at. The article needs to be able to be understood by the layman, not just someone who is familiar with the work of non-profits. --Cameron11598 (Talk) 17:15, 26 May 2016 (UTC)
 * That makes sense! Thank you both again for all your help. Please let me know if you have any other questions/clarifications! Anna at VillageReach (talk) 17:17, 26 May 2016 (UTC)

Suggested Edits
Hi everyone!

Here are some suggested edits to bring this article up to date and more in-line with the various comments on this talk page:

Introductory Section (VillageReach has expanded beyond vaccine delivery. Remove the confusing and out of date information on "private sector engagement"): VillageReach is a registered 501(c)(3) working in the area of health care access in remote rural areas in developing countries. It is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, in the United States with country offices in Malawi and Mozambique, Africa. The stated mission is "Save lives and improve health by increasing access to quality healthcare for the most underserved communities"

The programs section should either be completed or removed - I'm happy to provide further information for this section if need be.

Funding Section (simplify and add/fix citations): VillageReach funding comes from a combination of government, multi-lateral funders, and foundations. Funders include USAID, UNICEF , the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation , Skoll Foundation , Mulago Foundation , Vitol Foundation, and others.

External Reviews/Charity Navigator Section (Update Charity Navigator numbers to most recent): As of FYE 14, Charity Navigator has given VillageReach 4 out of 4 stars with an overall rating of 98.23 out of 100.

Thanks in advance for your help! Anna at VillageReach (talk) 19:05, 6 June 2016 (UTC)


 * Hi Again! I am still looking for someone to help me with updates to this page!Anna at VillageReach (talk) 19:21, 12 July 2016 (UTC)


 * Hello again! Another request for edits to this page! Anna at VillageReach (talk) 19:27, 9 August 2016 (UTC)


 * Hi, Anna. I apologize -- as one of the editors who recommended that you take the Requested Edits route, I've been very lax in actually responding to your requests. I'm at work right now; I'll try to review your suggestions this evening or tomorrow evening at the latest if no one else gets to them first. WikiDan61 ChatMe!ReadMe!! 20:29, 9 August 2016 (UTC)


 * Hi Dan, Thanks very much for your help! Please let me know if you have any questions or need any clarification. I think the best solution is just to simplify the information and clean up the page! Anna at VillageReach (talk) 18:44, 10 August 2016 (UTC)

I've taken a quick look at your suggested edits and I don't find any problems. I haven't had a chance to go and verify every citation, but others can do that after you've made the edit. Go ahead and update the article, and reference this talk page in the edit summary ("see talk page") to assure that reviewers don't automatically revert your work because of the conflict of interest. Some suggestions for your edits: WikiLink your edit (names of places, like Seattle, Washington, and Malawi and Mozambique, as well as the names of the funders, such as USAID and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). WikiDan61 ChatMe!ReadMe!! 11:10, 11 August 2016 (UTC) Thanks again Dan! I've made those edits and included "see Talk Page" in edit summary as suggested! I appreciate all your help and guidance. Anna at VillageReach (talk) 15:23, 11 August 2016 (UTC)