“Mobilizing the Community” – day 2
When I first arrived to Mali, I was under the impression that this campaign was just about mosquito net distribution but since meeting with Pat Laberge the Malaria Program Manager at the Canadian Red Cross I’ve learned that it’s much more than that.
Pat has been with the CRC since 1994 and before that she was a teacher in South Africa (1990-94) towards the end of Apartheid rule. Her first mission with the CRC was in Rwanda. I can only imagine what she experienced or saw in those years. Pat said something that’s stuck with me since I met her: ‘We will always have conflict but we should work with conflict in a constructive manner’. Needless to say, I was really impressed with her.
So I’ve now learned that the campaign here in Mali isn’t just about Malaria. It’s about improving a child’s survival to any illness and their overall health. Their are 5 interventions: vaccinations for measles and polio, Vitamin A, Mebendazole for worms and the insecticide treated mosquito nets. These interventions all compliment each other in preventing illness and in aiding a child be healthier. In this way, the Red Cross is helping to build the capacity in Mali's health system.
I have a two-year-old nephew and I’ve been there practically at every single doctor’s appointment since he was born. When he was a certain age, he had to be vaccinated for certain illnesses. For most countries in the developing world, most people do not have access to vaccinations. Something that is a right to us is often times unattainable elsewhere. After finding all of this out, I’m even more amazed at the power of what $7 can do.
On my second day in Mali, I was able to go door-to-door with the Malian Red Cross volunteers. It was very cool to discover that a group of volunteers weren’t flown in from Canada for this project but instead the mission represents those from the very communities who are at risk. It was impressive to see the volunteers go from each home and to speak to the families about the campaign. They explained to them that the program was for children under the age of 5 who are the most vulnerable. They told them about the 5 interventions and about where they should go the day of the program. The Red Cross has tried to ensure that all families have access to the health centers. Depending on how far they lived from the nearest fixed site, a truck or a motorbike would transport the nets to their homes. The most important thing was to try to ensure access for all the Malian families with children under the age of 5.
It was something to watch the Malian Red Cross volunteers interacting with the local community. When we walked into their family compounds we were always welcomed with smiles and curiosity. The opportunity to have their children’s health improved was something that was clearly universal.
Pat has been with the CRC since 1994 and before that she was a teacher in South Africa (1990-94) towards the end of Apartheid rule. Her first mission with the CRC was in Rwanda. I can only imagine what she experienced or saw in those years. Pat said something that’s stuck with me since I met her: ‘We will always have conflict but we should work with conflict in a constructive manner’. Needless to say, I was really impressed with her.
So I’ve now learned that the campaign here in Mali isn’t just about Malaria. It’s about improving a child’s survival to any illness and their overall health. Their are 5 interventions: vaccinations for measles and polio, Vitamin A, Mebendazole for worms and the insecticide treated mosquito nets. These interventions all compliment each other in preventing illness and in aiding a child be healthier. In this way, the Red Cross is helping to build the capacity in Mali's health system.
I have a two-year-old nephew and I’ve been there practically at every single doctor’s appointment since he was born. When he was a certain age, he had to be vaccinated for certain illnesses. For most countries in the developing world, most people do not have access to vaccinations. Something that is a right to us is often times unattainable elsewhere. After finding all of this out, I’m even more amazed at the power of what $7 can do.
On my second day in Mali, I was able to go door-to-door with the Malian Red Cross volunteers. It was very cool to discover that a group of volunteers weren’t flown in from Canada for this project but instead the mission represents those from the very communities who are at risk. It was impressive to see the volunteers go from each home and to speak to the families about the campaign. They explained to them that the program was for children under the age of 5 who are the most vulnerable. They told them about the 5 interventions and about where they should go the day of the program. The Red Cross has tried to ensure that all families have access to the health centers. Depending on how far they lived from the nearest fixed site, a truck or a motorbike would transport the nets to their homes. The most important thing was to try to ensure access for all the Malian families with children under the age of 5.
It was something to watch the Malian Red Cross volunteers interacting with the local community. When we walked into their family compounds we were always welcomed with smiles and curiosity. The opportunity to have their children’s health improved was something that was clearly universal.
Labels: Africa, bed net, Canadian Red Cross, Malaria, Mali, Nam Kiwanuka, Red Cross
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