This was the comment from the pastor's wife involved in CHE training (Community Health Education) here in Arusha. I asked her what she had enjoyed the most in the training she was attending with her husband and son. Her response was to tell me about the importance of keeping the animals away from the house, separating the taka taka (rubbish) and keeping it away from the house, having a place to dispose of faeces away from the house. All of this plus the importance of washing hands and emptying water after the rain from any pools or puddles or containers to remove the hazard of mosquitos and consequently malaria.
What a joy it was to hear her excitedly share about what she had learned. I remembered when we had visited the community where this woman lives and David and i had spent 4 days with them. During this time we had visited the boma (group of huts) of a masai man and his 3 wives and I had met their children. The children were malnourished and had flies permanently stationed in their eyes. Not only did they not try to shoo them away but neither did the adults. So many other glaring hygiene issues were causing illness. At that time I had prayed for an opportunity that was appropriate to share with them some of these tools that could revolutionize their health.
Today, I believe that prayer was answered. .... and in the best way possible. A masai will go back to their community and educate their own community about the importance of hand washing, toilet protocol, segregating animals etc. etc.
For a more indepth look at the CHE program go to: http://www.lifewind.org/
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