Coming back from Kojina, we realized we had done it. Three nights and three World Malaria Day events: on Wednesday in Humjibre, on Thursday in Soroano, and Friday, in Kojina. Back in Humjibre, setting up a whiteboard for the projector and watching the children dutifully put out plastic chairs for the audience; I had no idea how big these were going to be.
Each night, the program started with a DJ playing some music. After an opening prayer, the health team began with a presentation to educate the community on malaria symptoms, treatment and prevention. They used different speakers and a mix of videos; some starring the Humjibre community health workers (CHWs) and some funny animated ones (thanks to Scientific Animations Without Borders!). Local CHWs and nurses were then introduced and the team opened the floor for a community discussion and Q&A.
The program was designed to reach participants of all ages. Sections like the bednet cost analysis were aimed for adults, while toffee for correct answers enticed children. Community members were engaged and excited to be there. As a newcomer to G.H.E.I., it was very cool to see the events organized and taken in with such energy by these rural communities.
Each night, there were more youths that attended the event than adults. One of the Soroano CHWs, Yaw Ntori (Original) said that he particularly enjoyed when young children correctly answered questions to showcase what they learned. His comment touched on one of the vital roles of the youth in communities here. When G.H.E.I. teaches children, they bring that information home and teach families.
Audience participation during the cost analysis, discussion and Q&A sections was striking. Starting with the cost analysis, the health team presented two scenarios: either pay to buy a subsidized bednet now, or pay for malaria later. Our very own Clement Donkor and Mensah Gyapong became celebrity emcees and asked for the audience’s help to estimate the price of costs like travel to the clinic, medications and missed work. People shouted hoping to see their own guesses come up on the projection. After all the costs had been tallied; it was significantly less expensive to buy a bednet now than risk malaria later.
For the discussion and Q&A sections, the emcees roamed through the crowd choosing contestants for a chance with the microphone. Once each speaker was chosen, everyone else listened attentively then cheered and clapped for them after they finished. While many people made jokes, others demonstrated what they learned.
The health team worked hard to prepare for World Malaria Day and they thought that by Friday running the event would be easy. But the afternoon brought a rainstorm, so the evening was cold and after a busy week; many people wanted to stay home and rest. However when the DJ turned his speakers on, the community came out. It was late, and it was cold in Kojina- but we finished strong with a large and engaged crowd throughout the whole event.
Be sure to check our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GHEI.Ghana for more photos from the event!
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Each night, the program started with a DJ playing some music. After an opening prayer, the health team began with a presentation to educate the community on malaria symptoms, treatment and prevention. They used different speakers and a mix of videos; some starring the Humjibre community health workers (CHWs) and some funny animated ones (thanks to Scientific Animations Without Borders!). Local CHWs and nurses were then introduced and the team opened the floor for a community discussion and Q&A.
The program was designed to reach participants of all ages. Sections like the bednet cost analysis were aimed for adults, while toffee for correct answers enticed children. Community members were engaged and excited to be there. As a newcomer to G.H.E.I., it was very cool to see the events organized and taken in with such energy by these rural communities.
Each night, there were more youths that attended the event than adults. One of the Soroano CHWs, Yaw Ntori (Original) said that he particularly enjoyed when young children correctly answered questions to showcase what they learned. His comment touched on one of the vital roles of the youth in communities here. When G.H.E.I. teaches children, they bring that information home and teach families.
Audience participation during the cost analysis, discussion and Q&A sections was striking. Starting with the cost analysis, the health team presented two scenarios: either pay to buy a subsidized bednet now, or pay for malaria later. Our very own Clement Donkor and Mensah Gyapong became celebrity emcees and asked for the audience’s help to estimate the price of costs like travel to the clinic, medications and missed work. People shouted hoping to see their own guesses come up on the projection. After all the costs had been tallied; it was significantly less expensive to buy a bednet now than risk malaria later.For the discussion and Q&A sections, the emcees roamed through the crowd choosing contestants for a chance with the microphone. Once each speaker was chosen, everyone else listened attentively then cheered and clapped for them after they finished. While many people made jokes, others demonstrated what they learned.
Be sure to check our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GHEI.Ghana for more photos from the event!
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