Health Education Camp 2006
A Health Education Camp and mosquito net distribution was organized by the Akado Medical Clinic (AMC) in Mbita, Kenya on August 11, 2006. The Health Education Camp was a success, as it was attended by the largest number of orphaned and vulnerable children due to the addition of 15 more schools serviced by AMC. The Camp was held in three different zones to make it convenient for the maximum number of orphaned and vulnerable children to attend the event.
The Clinical Officer for AMC kicked off the event by introducing everyone and invited the orphans to introduce themselves. He gave a short explanation on the transmission of malaria by mosquitoes and explained how to follow some simple procedures to prevent the disease.
In addition the following information was provided to the orphans and their care givers/parents:
- The importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria.
- The importance of correct dosage and ensuring that it is completed and that a second dose of SP should not be taken for at least 3 weeks.
- Importance of antipyretic and fluid treatment.
- SP apparently has slow action on the clinical symptoms.
- Fever episode may recur within 48 hours after the dose of SP; therefore, there is also the need for antipyretics to manage the fever episode.
- The children's care providers were given clear instructions and the facilitator confirmed if it was understood.
- This year's meeting was presided over by the Public Health Officer, other government officials, Professor Achola Pala and visitors from child-focused organizations. Orphans and vulnerable children attended the event from 20 primary schools in the area. The event was the most successful event ever held recently.
A Speech From Professor Pala
After the presentation on prevention and transmission of Malaria, Professor Achola, the only woman professor in the community and the wife of the former Ambassador to the United States, gave a speech. Professor Achola related her own personal experiences and life history. She explained that she was one of nine children in her family, that her elder sisters had dropped out of school due to early marriages and that she herself faced difficulties in continuing her education. She explained the cultural factors that act as a barrier for female education. When she was in class two, she had to drop out of school to live with her older sister and take care of her niece. However, her sister was a teacher at a local school and encouraged her to continue her studies so that after a few months she was able to go back to school. She finished her primary education, did very well in national exams, and because of her high scores received a sponsorship for high school. She later proceeded to one of the top universities in United States and completed her Ph.D. Professor Achola, strongly encouraged girls to concentrate on their studies and urged their parents to keep them in school.
Speech From One of the Children's Representative
One of the orphaned girls from Kombe Primary School encouraged her peers to concentrate in school and forget about leisure. She said that most orphaned girls in the villages where they come from were lured by small gifts and money, making them fall prey to exploitative-men and resulting in early pregnancies which cause girls to drop out of high school. She also spoke about rural poverty and talked about how it is a result of HIV/AIDS.
She said that many girls resort to prostitution to get money in order to survive. She encouraged her fellow girls to concentrate on their studies to avoid ending up in these circumstances. She finally appealed to those in authority to ensure protection, promotion and enhancement of child rights as a solution to their problems.
Speech From The Public Health Officer
The Public Health officer in charge of Suba District, who is also the coordinator and the representative of Constituency AIDS Control Committee (CACC) was introduced. He talked about the active role played by the Akado Women?fs Group (a part of the Akado Medical Center) in the Mbita region. As a representative of the Kenyan government, he lauded the significant work done by the Akado Medical Center and its partners in the area of prevention of Malaria and HIV/AIDS. He also confirmed that his office would continue to support the AMC and its work in the area of prevention of Malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Distribution Of The Nets
One hundred twenty nets were distributed to the invited children. The care giver of each child was issued a mosquito net, while the Nyatiti music group entertained the participants with songs and instrumental music.
In sum, the Camp was successful in highlighting the importance of orphaned and vulnerable children?fs education, prevention of Malaria and HIV/AIDS, good parenting skills and child rights issues. The Camp concluded with a delicious lunch prepared by Akado Staff.