Thanks for visiting this page. FOAG has been working in Masindi, Uganda for several years and has agreed to channel money raised on this page to the Miirya Village Volunteer Project.
The Miirya project began in July 2008. Two VSO volunteers Pam and Chris working with the local community health department developed an idea of training village volunteers in preventative health. A group of 97 volunteers where identified and invited to attend a 3 day workshop. Many of these volunteers had previous health experience either as traditional birth attendants or community drug distributors. They were all known in their villagers and were committed to improving the health of their communities. The group proved to be enthusiastic and well motivated. They were given training in reproductive health, immunisation and malaria prevention. As part of their work they carried out surveys of their villages. These surveys showed the huge impact of malaria on the community. It was decided as part of the project we would raise money to buy nets that could be sold at a greatly subsidised price. Over the last year all the villages in Miirya have had the opportunity to buy nets after receiving training on how to avoid malaria and the importance of sleeping under a treated net. Thanks to the generosity of donors the project has sold over 5000 nets protecting hundreds of children and pregnant women from malaria. As part of the process villages are revisited after a net sale to review the use of the nets and continue the process of education. Figures from local health clinics have already shown a reduction in malaria.The Miirya project has always been more than malaria prevention. There have been other workshops on diarrhoea prevention including advice on sanitation and safe water. We have taught many villagers how to make water safe using sunlight (SODIS) and how to make a simple Tippy Tap for hand washing.
Volunteers are continuing to sell nets and educate people about malaria but are now confident to advise on other issues. Recently a workshop on mens health has led to the development of clinics held especially for young men. It is hoped that these clinics will share good advice and allow young men to take better care of themselves and promote a healthier attitude to women.
Miirya sub county now has at least one trained health volunteer in each of the 42 villages. The volunteers work within their communities spreading positive messages about maintaining good health. Stephen Karuhanga has been appointed as project coordinator and is committed to seeing the project continue and grow. Funds are still needed to buy more nets and to expand the education work that has been so successful.
Please help us raise the money and improve the health of this rural community.
Sr Pam Llewellyn and Dr Chris Jary
VSO Volunteers. Masindi, Uganda
