Let's Educate and Celebrate!

It was an incredibly successful day at the Rwentutu Medical Clinic after holding our first “Community Health Day.” We invited members from the surrounding community to receive free services which included HIV testing and education, family planning, taking blood pressure, distributing water guard (water purification tablets) and education, and distribution  of mosquito nets to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. 

After administering the community health survey  and visiting 60 homes, we discovered the most predominant sickness was malaria. Many families were not using mosquito nets leaving them incredibly vulnerable to getting malaria. The purpose of our community survey was to not only find out the current condition of homes in the Rwentutu area, but to also educate families about necessary improvements that needed to be made for the health and safety of all household members. 

Throughout our work in the community we continued to inform and create awareness about our first Community Health Day happening at the Rwentutu Medical Clinic. It was an incredible turn out, we served over 150 people with all services throughout the day and handed out 50 mosquito nets. As we continue to work towards a more developed and sustainable clinic our hope is that the people of Rwentutu and surrounding communities will become increasingly educated and aware on prevention and response to sickness while also building and maintaining healthy families. There is much work in education and outreach to be done, however we have seen the response of people who are eager to be educated and receive the necessary medical support, and thus we must respond to the 

call. 

If you are interested in donating to the outreach program at Rwentutu Medical Centre please visit www.umojaoperation.ca and click “support us”

All checks can be made payable to Umoja Operation Compassion Society, with the memo reading “Rwentutu Medical Clinic”

Umoja Operation Compassion Society

10025 Whalley Boulevard

Surrey, British Columbia

Canada

V3T 4G1

Community, It's a Way of Life.

Well, another year has come and gone and here in the village of Rwentutu we are continuing forward and seeking change. Change can be effected by the simplest thing one action, one word, even a smile can bring about a positive change. It is through the uniting and co-operation of individuals that can bring about a strong, resilient, and changed community.
This is exactly what Umoja has been working towards and will continue to work towards, a changed community that has been empowered to work together and for one another in seeking solutions to poverty and injustice. So with the support and guidance of some very important local community volunteers, nurses, and educators it has been an absolute honor to be a part of a team reaching homes within the community to provide education about health and safety within the home.

If you've never had the privilege of visiting Africa, you may be asking yourself what's this education all about? Well, let me paint you a picture. When reaching a home we first start by doing a survey of what the home stead is equipped with. There is no power or running water within the village and as such all bathing rooms and latrines (toilets) are kept outside. The kitchens are built as small structures usually placed right next to the main house.  Many homes are created using mud and strong branches, while others are having brick or cement walls. Roofs can consist of long grass that is thatched together, or tin. Necessities at the home that we are looking for are things like a structurally sound latrine and bathing room with a hand washing facility, proper food storage, a raised fire place for cooking, a drying rack for dishes (outside.. there are no dishwashers), proper area for compost and waste, an animal shelter as most community members are farmers, the use of mosquito nets, proper preparation of water, and an adequate amount of space for the family to live in based on the number of occupants. When these basic needs within a home are lacking than several health and safety factors can become increasingly apparent.  Not sleeping with mosquito nets or allowing water to stagnate around the home brings an increased risk of malaria.  Improper cooking methods or lack of ventilation can be dangerous and bring long term health issues. Food stored improperly can bring severe stomach pain and sickness. Yet the response we received as we walked throughout the community was a positive one. Families welcomed us into their homes and shared their experiences as our team listened and brought ideas for change.  As I was able to be a part of the process and ask questions I could see how people were grateful for the opportunity of gaining knowledge and receiving the water purification tablets we gave out. While I continued to walk through the village and gaze out to the surrounding mountains  I became increasingly unsettled with the thought of how many more homes and families beyond our reach still remain. Yet there is hope, and it is that unsettled feeling that continues to spur on the desire and passion to work alongside the community and for the community to bring awareness, understanding, knowledge, and empowerment. Because a persons life is always worth fighting for.