|
Training Children in Community Health
NOTE: Although there is no direct
spiritual/biblical content in this course (unlike all other SEAN materials),
indirectly the parallels are obvious with the biblical concern for the sick and
needy and, above all, with the matchless example of the compassion of our Lord
Jesus Christ as he tirelessly sought to alleviate their suffering. This example
should be used where appropriate, and of course the trainer needs to pray for
God's guidance as s/he prepares and leads each training session.
This course is presented as a
reasonable and effective alternative to ignorance of health issues in the
community. It is hoped that the motivation and involvement of children in
preventative (and on-going) measures will result in an obvious improvement in
health, hygiene and safety in the local community as a whole. If the course
leads to the bettering of the quality of life for many disadvantaged people in
the world today, its objective will have been fulfilled!
The material is designed to be of use in situations where both health education
and immediate medical help are limited or non-existent. However, although not a
detailed medical text-book, it should also be effective for initial training in
first aid and preventative measures in most circumstances. Obviously the
success, or otherwise, of the material will depend on the understanding and
application of those leading the sessions. Accordingly, SEAN cannot accept any
responsibility for the results of use or mis-use of any technique described.
If there is an opportunity for the trainer or the students to go on to take a
course in first aid or community health led by an authorised health worker, we
strongly recommend that this be taken up as a logical development from this
basic material.
In any case, everything possible must
be done to cooperate closely with the local health worker, who no doubt can
reinforce the methods presented in this course and adapt them to the local
situation as appropriate.
Although SEAN will award one credit
towards a diploma in the SEAN Extension College to the trainer who successfully
leads a group of students/children through the course, it must be emphasised
that this does NOT qualify them for any official health certificate or diploma
in their country.
The Community Health course assumes
that the 'trainer', will have had NO previous community health training. We have
therefore done everything in our power to make the sessions as simple and
self-explanatory as possible. But, inevitably, there may be occasions when some
find parts of the material difficult to understand.
Wherever possible, the trainer must
seek the help and advice of a local health worker, especially in any sessions
about which the trainer may feel uncertain. He or she could probably also
provide up-to-date information about the local situation concerning the subject
under consideration.
If the trainer has had no previous
experience of teaching children, it can be a help to him/her (although not
essential) to complete SEAN's Feed my Lambs course first, as it provides an
excellent basis for teaching children effectively.
If the trainer completes this course
by training a group of children to take an active part in the community health
of the area it entitles him/her to one credit towards a Diploma in the SEAN
Extension College. For this s/he must get the pastor of the church, or some
recognised local health worker, to sign the credit form at the back of this
manual confirming that s/he has achieved this goal successfully.
Remember that first and foremost,
this course is designed so that the trainer can set up a club in which CHILDREN
can be trained to take an active part in community health care in their area.
The most likely age to benefit from this training is from about 8 to 10 years
old and upwards, according to the abilities of the children. These can be drawn
from either church or secular organisations; however, it is an advantage if they
are motivated by their commitment to Jesus and his commands.
The programme can sometimes be
enhanced by inviting interested adults (parents, other members of the family, or
anyone else desiring to train alongside the children) to sit in on the
children's sessions. They can benefit in the following ways:
a) By watching the
children at work (especially their active games and model making). One of
the best ways to learn is to see a point demonstrated, and children do this
with enthusiasm! This allows the children not only to receive training for
themselves but also, indirectly, to help in the training of adults; both age
groups are then enriched together.
b) By supporting the children in roles which are perhaps
beyond their abilities, e.g. by bringing their project to the notice of town
authorities or village elders, and by gaining their support for it.
If for whatever reason it is
impossible to set up a children's programme, this course can still be used
effectively as the basis for adult community health training. In this case
the trainer would have to be responsible for making the necessary
adjustments (e.g. perhaps replacing some of the more active games by
practical work).
The course consists of the following
material: the trainer's manual, a text which contains Guides for 34 Sessions,
grouped in nine modules covering a wide variety of topics. Each guide opens by
stating the session's aim or aims and then by listing the materials needed to
achieve those aims.
This is accompanied by the resource
pack of 56 Pictures, designed to be used in the club sessions; these illustrate
the main topics of the course. They should be displayed as and when instructed
in the Session Guides.
It is advisable to use the sessions
(one per week) in the order given, as they follow on from each other by assuming
that what is taught in earlier sessions will be familiar to the children when
they come to later ones. However, because the course covers a fairly wide and
comprehensive range of health problems, it is therefore possible that some
sessions could be unsuited to the community (e.g. those on tropical diseases if
you are in a temperate climate). Such inappropriate sessions can be omitted from
your programme.
Some of the material may need to be
adapted according to the culture, but the principles are the same. For example,
according to the local situation and needs of a particular group and culture, if
the drawing of a pig could cause offence, this can be replaced by pasting an
illustration of a more acceptable (but equivalent) animal, such as a dog, over
it.
For the children involved, this
course is not only useful, but also the sessions are great fun and contain
plenty of activity. Club meetings which are built entirely around a series of
'speakers' do not develop children's self-reliance and initiative. The children
should be involved at every stage of planning, organising and monitoring the
activities. Never underestimate them; they are capable of far more than people
generally believe!
It is important to devote at least
part of the time to activities where children are taught to take action to help
others. When they become partners in promoting health, they contribute something
special to the partnership.
|
