EVENT: World Malaria Day
OUTREACH TITLE: Kick Malaria Out(KMO)
VENUE: Aunguwan Guragu, Karamajiji
DATE: 27/4/2019
TIME: 8:AM
BACKGROUND
SI4DEV Abuja location group supported by Life Bridge Foundation carried out an outreach at a community of people living with disabilities (Aunguwan Guragu) Karamijiji, a suburb in Abuja in commemoration of the World Malaria day. The World Malaria day is an annual event marked on the 25th of April worldwide to raise awareness on the causes, treatment and prevention of malaria. The day is set to highlight the important role government, private individuals and CSO have in the fight against malaria and the need for all to work together to control the scourge.
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE:
The objective of the program is for the settlers of Aunguwan Guragu to properly understand how malaria is transmitted, reduce the spread to the barest minimum and learn better ways of treating the disease.
The purpose or aim of the program is to educate the settlers on how to use malaria preventive measures like sleeping inside treated mosquito nets, keeping a clean environment, periodic fumigation etc.
DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
The project was carried out in the community of people living with disabilities because of their poor living condition and inability to access basic medical services and health care facilities which we discovered from interactions with them during our pre-project visits to the community.
With the rainy season around the corner, it was important to sensitize them on ways of keeping themselves and environment free of mosquitoes and malaria.
Malaria test was carried out on mostly children and women using Malaria Test Strips and to our relief, most of them tested negative. Malaria preventive drugs and other multi-vitamins were given to every member of the community that came out for the program.
Fifty (50) mosquitoe treated nets were distributed to pregnant women and nursing mothers. As a way of encouraging the children to take the test, they were given biscuit, sweet and some soft drinks provided by on the field volunteers.
The elderly ones especially the men, were tested for sugar, and those with high sugar level were advised by the professionals on how to manage it and further seek proper medical attention by visiting the hospital.
People living with other illnesses like eye problem, Fibroid, vaginal infections etc also came out and were advised to make out time to visit the nearest hospital for proper check up and treatment.
The program was a success as the people were happy and really appreciated little effort(s) of the Abuja location group. The king of the settlement thanked the team for thinking it wise and nice to create time for them and prayed for God’s continuous blessing and guidance on SI4DEV.
A brief meeting of volunteers was held after the program in which one of the volunteers from Discover Purpose Initiative(DPI) requested for SI4DEV’s support in their forth coming awareness program in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Mr. Dele also asked for support to carry out a Drug Abuse Campaign on the 26th of June, 2019. Responding, Mr. Samuel the Abuja location coordinator promised the group will support them as much as possible and requested they carry the team along. He also went ahead to encourage volunteers/members to be active in the group and always come for meetings every second Friday of the month. The house was also notified of the forthcoming 2019 World Hepatitis day and the need to carry out an outreach to mark it as that is another silent killer disease that a lot of youth are not aware of. Doctor Ruke stated her intention to work with the SI4dev Abuja location group on a proposed eye program especially for kids. The team pledged support and said they open for discussions on partnership as soon as she is ready.
NAMES OF SI4DEV PATNERS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO PARTICIPATED:
Oluchi Ubani
Umokoro Charity
Omolade Allah
Dele Fayemi
Faisal Hameed
Amarah Joseph
Timi Obisesan
Mallo Timothy
Oluseyi Apeyi
Aishah Busan
Paul Nduka
Helen Onwuka
Abel Anita
Anyim Joshua Aondoakula.
ACHIEVEMENT:
The biggest achievement of the program was impacting over 250 persons with better and long-lasting ways of preventing malaria.
ACTUAL NUMBER OR ESTIMATE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IMPACTED:
A total of two hundred and fifty five (255) persons were impacted by this outreach in the following breakdown; Children – 118, Women – 75 and Men – 62.
OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS:
In the course of preparing for the program, we had the opportunity of meeting with staff of Juremi Foundation and Society for Family Health whom we hope to patner with in forthcoming programs.
WHAT COULD WE HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER:
The ground for program sustainability and follow up would’ve been laid but that wasn’t done.
NEXT STEPS:
Next step is to carry out an online campaign using fliers to mark the 2019 World No Tobacco Day On May 31st, work on the partnership with DPI and start preparing for the World Hepathitis day in July.
~Anyim Joshua Aondoakula.
