The Malaria Prevention volunteers left Humjibre early Monday morning, but will not be easily forgotten. As was mentioned in our last post, the volunteers were split into three teams. Each team member was assigned one of three roles: Data Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, or Field Coordinator. The volunteers came from diverse backgrounds and varied experiences that enabled them to complement each other as they fulfilled their roles and worked together on teams. The system proved to be extraordinarily successful. Teams worked independently, understood what needed to be done and accomplished it in record time.
They were so effective, they were each able to consistently finish their work ahead of schedule. Survey session house lists were completed early and interviewers were given the choice to do either re-visits, get a head start on their next houses or go home and get some extra rest. The volunteers took advantage of extra time by bringing computers to the field to begin data entry during surveys. The teams were completely comfortable tackling their workloads. About getting ahead, Team Exquisite explained that it just “feels good to get it done.”
Luckily, their interviewers had extremely good luck with visits. They visited houses, found everybody they needed to speak with, and moved on. The work felt easy, and their sense of accomplishment showed in their constant smiles.
The first day that teams met, Mensah entered the classroom ready to see who he’d be working with and asked: “Where’s our team?” When Team Two motioned him over he exclaimed “Whoa we’re big!” To cement the name, Alfred- at a staggering 6’6’’- stood up to greet him. Ironically, team members were often absent, lost or otherwise unaccounted for, and Team Big was by far the smallest working group.
They refused to let this deter them. While all three teams were given an organizational system for their surveys, Team Big formulated the best working plan for them and created a unique system that each member understood perfectly. No matter how many revisits they had or team members they were lacking, Team Big was always prepared with a supply of biscuits, water and optimism, ready to take on their next challenge.
While the origin of their name was never fully understood, Team Exquisite lived up to the uniqueness and prestige that their title implied. This team had a consistently positive attitude and shared their good vibes with the others working around them. Team Exquisite took charge of keeping everybody’s progress updated on the white board and playing relaxing music for the larger group.
When asked what set them apart, they answered with confidence, “Our work speaks for itself.” Managed by women, Team Exquisite was professional, competent and efficient. Sure enough, they were the first group to completely finish both their surveys and data entry.
They were so effective, they were each able to consistently finish their work ahead of schedule. Survey session house lists were completed early and interviewers were given the choice to do either re-visits, get a head start on their next houses or go home and get some extra rest. The volunteers took advantage of extra time by bringing computers to the field to begin data entry during surveys. The teams were completely comfortable tackling their workloads. About getting ahead, Team Exquisite explained that it just “feels good to get it done.”
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Team Profiles- Team Awesome
This team was constantly joking and finishing each other’s fictional stories. While accusing one another of creating power struggles related to stolen pens and supplies, one of them admitted “deep down inside in this little place in our hearts, we actually love each other.” These guys had become so close; they started waking up every morning for a team work-out and cross training session. They brushed their teeth with a shared flashlight and created a culture all their own.
Luckily, their interviewers had extremely good luck with visits. They visited houses, found everybody they needed to speak with, and moved on. The work felt easy, and their sense of accomplishment showed in their constant smiles.
Team Profiles- Team Big
The first day that teams met, Mensah entered the classroom ready to see who he’d be working with and asked: “Where’s our team?” When Team Two motioned him over he exclaimed “Whoa we’re big!” To cement the name, Alfred- at a staggering 6’6’’- stood up to greet him. Ironically, team members were often absent, lost or otherwise unaccounted for, and Team Big was by far the smallest working group.
They refused to let this deter them. While all three teams were given an organizational system for their surveys, Team Big formulated the best working plan for them and created a unique system that each member understood perfectly. No matter how many revisits they had or team members they were lacking, Team Big was always prepared with a supply of biscuits, water and optimism, ready to take on their next challenge.
Team Profiles- Team Exquisite
While the origin of their name was never fully understood, Team Exquisite lived up to the uniqueness and prestige that their title implied. This team had a consistently positive attitude and shared their good vibes with the others working around them. Team Exquisite took charge of keeping everybody’s progress updated on the white board and playing relaxing music for the larger group.
When asked what set them apart, they answered with confidence, “Our work speaks for itself.” Managed by women, Team Exquisite was professional, competent and efficient. Sure enough, they were the first group to completely finish both their surveys and data entry.
***
While our initial goal was 250 surveys, the teams completed 267 with ease. It makes me wonder whether we could manage an even more ambitious goal next year. Overall, this was an ideal group of volunteers and an amazing group of people. They preformed beyond anybody’s expectations with the surveys, and learned a lot about life in Humjibre in the process. The volunteers grew tremendously in their understanding of culture and development, and formed genuine relationships with not just each other, but also their Ghanaian counterparts.
To all of our Malaria Prevention volunteers and interviewers: Thank you. Y3 da mo ase paa!
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