After the Rains - September 2011
We returned to the village to check the remedial works to the clinic, check the drainage and promote CHT for a whirlwind week long trip. After several months of heavy rain it has proved that additional drainage around the building isn't required, but a channel diverting the water into the natural ditch was all that was required to keep the area mosquito free during the end of the rains.
The contractor had done an excellent job on remedying the leaking roof and improving the structure. The steel bars have been fitted and the building is now dry and secure at last. Jacqui witnessed first hand the use of the building when she assisted Nurse Izatu at the pregnancy clinic and the under 5's immunisation clinic. Some 50 women and their accompanying children and family descended on the clinic from first light, the temperature soared and prior to the new health centre they would have been sat in the burning sun all day long. Now they have a cool, shaded area within the building to wait to see the Nurse.
The general health of the village is improving steadily, maternal and infant death is markedly lower and Nurse Izatu staunchly re-iterates the education with the tools that CHT have furnished.
We were very pleased to see the work of SNAP in the village, who constructed 2 excellent latrines at the rear of the building and are working with the Mothers in the village on a nutrition and welfare programme. All thanks to Patricia who attended a workshop in Bo in March and made the much needed connection with SNAP advocates.
The new latrines at the health centre; courtesy of SNAP.
Youth participation:
The youths of the village continue to support the work of CHT with labour. They are about to perform the final element of the build by painting it inside and out. Each time CHT visits it donates footballs and pumps to the youth team to allow them to play the game they are passionate about.
This time we were able to furnish them with 2 complete team strips that were kindly donated to us. They were so very proud to have their own strip and enables them to join intra village games and raise their standing locally.
What next for CHT:
Although CHT has finished what it set out to do in Petifu (on completion of the painting) there are many things that still need to happen there. We really need a sustainable light and refrigeration source; namely solar. We need to find a way to supply, install and train 3 village youths to maintain the system.
John fitted a small solar unit in the delivery room that makes a world of difference to ladies birthing during the night, but without a larger, sustainable system is likely to be short lived.
John installing the solar unit in the delivery room.
Donations, know how and expertise are needed if you can help us, please mail us through the contact page.
The fun side of CHT: the kids love the blowing bubbles.
See what they do when the rains come:
