ZAM 10 - LIFE IN FULLNESS
Project Location
The project takes place in the area of Kaande, located 13 km from the town of Mongu in the western province of Zambia. Kaande is rural area, along the Zambezi River plain, surrounded by 7 villages of Mweeke, Itema, Siwa, Ilundu, Matiwe, Mawawa and Soopu. The Comboni Missionary Sisters have been present in this area of Kaande since 2007.
The distances are considerable and in addition the sandy area makes it difficult to move, you can visit the villages only with a 4x4 car. The problems of this area are many and the Comboni sisters are focusing in particular on prevention and medical assistance. Government clinics are not nearby and it is difficult for patients and patients to reach them. At the same time, there is a lack of a home medicine service for the care of both the elderly and children. Both these categories are most vulnerable to malnutrition very present in this area.
Moreover, the lack of work, training and the strong pressure of local culture, leads adolescents to promiscuity and consequently to the risk of infection of sexual diseases and HIV. Many young girls are mothers already at an early age with the various consequences that this entails, including malnutrition of children due to lack of food.
Project description
The project aims to raise awareness of various skin, eye, ear, and dental diseases. For this reason, we plan to train 70 health promoters. Once trained, they will periodically visit the villages to educate patients' relatives and family members on how to monitor their health and provide first aid. Special attention will be given to village women, raising awareness of diseases of concern to them, such as cervical cancer.
We will also continue to monitor cases of malnutrition, both among adults and, especially, among children, through the provision of supplementary food. We will also ensure that the poorest patients who cannot afford medical care receive all the support they need. This includes medical visits, tests, and medications. Sometimes, it may even be necessary to accompany patients to the capital for further assessments and medical treatment.
Objectives
- Provide basic training to 30 health promoters who help train, follow and monitor the nutrition of adults, elderly and girls
- Provide training to about 200 adolescents and 100 children to develop their creativity with manual work
- Raise awareness among men on diseases that affect them
- Raise awareness and create a new consciousness in terms of climate change
- Assist the sick and malnourished children with food, medicine and transportation for emergencies.
Beneficiaries
Direct: 70 health promoters, 800 adults, 500 sick and malnourished
Indirect: approximately 6,000 people from various villages scattered throughout the area
Referent sister for the project: Sr. Sonia De Jesus Garcia
Project's costs