It is now the start of our second week in Munsieville and the focus has shifted to completing our objectives for the clinic, shack safety and preparing for the health and safety event at the Tshepo festival. There was an early meeting with the Project Hope team at the Children’s Embassy and the main point of discussion focussed on how we can empower the community to make their homes safer. The idea of a home safety kit was thrashed out and the opportunity to devise a community co-operative which would allow people to save for paraffin stoves and other key equipment to make their homes safer.
Robert and Veronica went to purchase some locally available equipment with Imelda, one of the Health Promotion staff, who is now working with Project Hope. After plenty of bartering we managed to obtain all the key equipment which we consider to be best practice. Imelda gave a great demonstration on how to operate the safer type of paraffin stove, compared to the existing dangerous stoves, which are used today. These currently pose a high risk of fires and injuries to the people in the community.
The safer paraffin stove on the left and the current unsafe stove that are widely used currently.
In the meantime, Duncan and Bob were touring the community to deliver the key health and safety messages. They revisited a lovely elderly lady called Happiness, who the team had met a few days before. This poor lady had her bed stolen while she was moving to a safer area from the flooding. On hearing the sad plight of her having to sleep on the floor, the team sprung into action. After a few local discussions, the team had identified a bed for her after a kind donation by Betty, the Project Hope Operations Director. Our humanitarian mission will hopefully be completed tomorrow much to the delight of the team.
In the meantime, Duncan and Bob were touring the community to deliver the key health and safety messages. They revisited a lovely elderly lady called Happiness, who the team had met a few days before. This poor lady had her bed stolen while she was moving to a safer area from the flooding. On hearing the sad plight of her having to sleep on the floor, the team sprung into action. After a few local discussions, the team had identified a bed for her after a kind donation by Betty, the Project Hope Operations Director. Our humanitarian mission will hopefully be completed tomorrow much to the delight of the team.
While working in the community we have been demonstrating the safe candle device and thanks to Duncan’s artistic talents we have made this a much more attractive feature. We even think this should be a new Project Hope campaign called the ‘Jar of Hope’.
As clinic activities continue, it is apparent that the Munsieville clinicians provide very good clinical care, adhering to evidence based guidelines. Arif, Nicola, and Stacy met with Hazel, the clinical manager, on how to build bridges with The Thoughtful Path once we depart.
In the afternoon the whole team gathered to have the first full meeting, to plan for the Tshepo festival. A full room of volunteers and Project Hope staff had a healthy debate on what festival activities would involve. The EHS team are co-leading a health and safety event which will cover the key risks of paraffin ingestion, fire and burns, by holding interactive and engaging activities with the children.
Stacy and Robert
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