Thursday, May 28, 2009

Yet another blog from Guinea

Yet another blog from Guinea

Today marks the indefinite end to a wonderful Tourney. I spent the past few weeks visiting elementary schools to talk about malaria. The plan was to talk to as many elementary schools as possible in order to give information on transmission and prevention to school kids before the rainy season starts. It started mid-May, the rain that is.

I started out setting up dates and writing letters that were never delivered because one reason or another. I gave letters written to the health center staff and because my counterpart was away I was told to wait on the project even though I hadn’t planned for his direct involvement.

Next step I typed letters to distribute myself to get the ball rolling. Finally my counterpart came back and he helped delivered the letters that the Agent PEV refused to do.

I planned a week of events to go and visit seven schools in a week. I scheduled two for certain days where I could pass one village onto the next. But anyway this is how the rundown went.

Tounney___ April 20, I spoke to their third grade class of 24 boys and 12 girls, and I spoke to their sixth grade class of 23 boys and 16 girls. The teachers were very helpful and very understanding. I originally did the third grade class, than the sixth grade class then went back to do the third grade class again because after a discussion with the director of studies we decided that not too many students got the important messages. After a long time of pulling teeth I think there were many more students who got the message. Things went really well and they were given the true/false activity.

Lariyah__ April 25, I presented to first grade, 2nd grade and fourth grade students all together in a big group, totaling 95 boys and 87 girls. With the help of two very motivated teachers we gave the sensibilization in both French and in Pular. Things went really well and they were given the true/false activity.

Tolou__ April 22, I presented to two classes, their second grade class and their fifth grade class totaling 76 boys and 59 girls. I was again accompanied by a well motivated teacher to pass along malaria messages. I think they had already gone over it in class before I arrived so a lot of the students were robotically giving answers but at least they got the message across. I was invited back to give the same presentation for the parents as well.

Niaworo__ April 21 and April 24, The first visit was a thud and to made matters worse my APCD visited that day. Anyway I was invited back the Friday afternoon. The next visit I invited the health post chef and did the presentation for their second grade class of 28 boys and 24 girls. I’m sad to say that I spent 10 minutes arguing with the health post chef as to whether mangoes can give you malaria. And because the kids were so young they needed the translation into Pular so there wasn’t much I could do in that but I guess it’s ok that they tell them to wash mangoes to prevent other diseases, right? This class was so adorable because they made like mosquitoes out of paper or cardboard. They get an A for creativity!

Tourey__ April 24, Talk about unresponsive. I spoke with their sixth grade class of 14 girls and 8 boys. I don’t know if it was the morning or what but the kids weren’t very into it. And well the teacher wasn’t very helpful either. I tried the mosquito tag game and that got out of control but I really think they understood the message of wearing longer clothes to protect themselves.

Tountouroun Centre__ April 24 Here I got to talk to three classes, their second grade class of 45 girls and 36 boys, sixth grade class of 21 girls and 11 boys, and fourth grade class of 14 girls and 10 boys. I had pretty good luck with TC, everyone was pretty responsive I tried to play mosquito tag with everyone but I didn’t have time to do it with the fourth grade class. However they were so much more responsive and the teachers did a good job helping to translate difficult messages.

Kambaya__ May 16, After terrible planning and not knowing the exact location of this district I finally arrived to find all the school kids on the route. I spent the morning giving the sensibilization with one of the teachers of the school while the director of studies watched on. The classes that participated were 1st 4th and 5th grades. Totaling approximately 90 students.

LeyKorema__ May 20, For their one classroom of third graders with 28 girls and 25 boys accompanied by the health post chef we gave a presentation in primarily Pular. It was a lot of help because he was quite familiar with the topic and did a good job translating, even though every time I spoke French he laughed at me. Not funny! And the teacher also helped out a bit.

Tolou parents __May 22, On yet another visit to Tolou I spoke with 23 women and 11 men with Ila. This went over really well, there was a decent turnout at the elementary school. I spoke in French and Ila as well as the teacher helped with translating the important messages. It was mostly them talking in Pular, but I think it went over well and the parents seemed to be pretty attentive as well.

I wish I could say there is more in store but at the moment I can’t really say. I’d like to continue doing more awareness of malaria. I really wish I had nets to distribute mosquito nets.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Back from Vacation

We spent a week in Sierra leone, and it was hardest thing to leave and come back here to Guinea. There were awesome beaches, awesome seafood, and the weather was nice and the clubs were were very good as well. Already planning to head back in October or we'll see what happens.



Everyone piled in the taxi upon arriving in freetown.


The girls at River Number 2 Beach.

Me doing that modelling pose.


Me and Astride.


Kim over by a wall. that wall says "Nor Piss ya" Whatever that means.


The girls step out.

Me and jess at Lumley.



Kim's working on her modelling pose.


Kim and Brienns at paddy's



Me at Lumley



Me building castles in the sand.




Me relaxing on the beach.

the girls enjoying a fruit smoothie at the Crown Bakery.

That kid was mad annoying at Lumley.

Laying on the beach.

The girls chillin at the beach.


We went out to chinese very fancy. The woman handed me a hot towel and I nearly threw it at her.


ready to go out.

the girls on the beach.
This trip was pretty awesome and I can't wait to do it again. I'm heading back to site in a few days where I will continue doing my malaria presentations and clean water talks and such. Yeah, much more fun than lying on a beach. LOL.