Nurse Rachel Explains the Hope for Haiti Cholera Prevention Kit |
December 8, 2010
Hope for Haiti is proud to announce the completion of our first Public Health training of 24 Community Health Workers. During a two-day seminar, Hope for Haiti Public Health Nurses taught the importance of proper nutrition, bodily hygiene, cholera prevention and treatment, and dental care. These 24 Community Health Workers are now equipped with resources that can better protect themselves, their families, and their community. While there may be a lot of challenges in Haiti today, one could not help but be inspired by the passion, dedication, excitement, and knowledge shared during this first training session. Knowledge is power, and by using a community-based approach Hope for Haiti’s program is encouraging self-reliance, self-advocacy, security, and responsibility. These 24 passionate men and women are committed to helping their communities by bringing this public health information into Hope for Haiti supported classrooms, reaching over 2,100 students through 12 rural primary and secondary schools. This pilot program could not have been implemented at a more critical time. As the cholera epidemic spreads throughout the country, families need the proper information and resources available to protect their loved ones and community members. Hope for Haiti would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the development of this program, as well as those who have worked hard to raise the funds needed to maintain and grow Public Health education. The smiles that ended the first training speak louder than words could ever adequately express our gratitude!
Special appreciation to Will Perez, the Hesperian Foundation, Better Health for Haiti, Terres des Hommes, IOM, and the Hope for Haiti board, staff and volunteers, for their contributions to Hope for Haiti’s Public Health training materials.