Jennifer Lang, Program Assistant, July 18th 2011
This year’s group of 24 Community Health Workers recently received some well-deserved rest and praise to recognize their completion of 6 months of Hope for Haiti’s Public Health Pilot Program. The Community Health Workers (CHWs) all traveled from various regions of Haiti’s south for a two-day training in Les Cayes and a celebratory beach day in Port Salut.
Both the training and the retreat provided opportunities for reflection, feedback, team bonding, and learning. Day 1 commenced by sharing stories of successes and challenges in enacting content from previous training sessions. Samuel Terasma, a Community Health Worker from Cherettes-a rural mountain community and recent partner of Hope for Haiti, spoke of the sacrifice required to be successful. “Travelling up into the mountains to reach those students whom I could not normally see is hard work. I have to travel from my house, to the hub of Cherettes, up the mountains, and back again all in one day. Rains and heat have made it difficult, but I continue because I know my goal is worthwhile.” As an exemplary of the program, Samuel visited four schools in May and June and presented over 9 hours of curriculum.
While past trainings have featured lessons on the importance of nutrition, cholera prevention, and the distribution and use of first aid kits, July’s meeting educated the CHWs on diseases common in Haiti. Hope for Haiti’s two Public Health nurses presented information on the identification, treatment, and prevention of Anemia, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Malaria, Typhoid, and Tuberculosis. The Community Health Workers asked questions based on their previous experiences with these diseases-“I know diabetes sometimes stays in families and happens a lot in the same house. Is it contagious?” The nurses’ answers helped clarify common misconceptions, while providing important information that trainees can bring back and share with their communities.
In addition to gaining new knowledge, the training modules provide an opportunity for the CHWs to develop their public speaking and teaching skills. The Hope for Haiti Public Health Pilot Program intends not just to disseminate information, but also to ensure that it is retained, both by the trained Community Health Workers and within the classrooms they visit. Each training module contains educational songs, skits, and games designed to help students participate in the learning and engage with the material presented by the CHW. Students can bring the information home to their families and extend the Public Health Program’s reach.
 Two CHWs enjoying the Module training |
 Public Health Nurse Claudine preparing to teach a game activity that identifies infectious diseases |
 CHW Samuel Terasma smiles as he completes an activity on the symptoms of Anemia |
To close the training, the CHWs and Hope for Haiti staff all went to the beach to celebrate 6 successful months of the Pilot Program. As he sat playing dominoes at the table, Samuel shared his goals for the future. “The students and teachers love when the Community Health Workers come to the schools. After talking with my colleagues here today, I hope the Program can grow and we can do more!” Hope for Haiti shares his vision – the second half of the curriculum encourages the Community Health Workers to expand their impact beyond the classroom by presenting health lessons at a community meeting. While frolicking in the ocean or feasting on fish and fried plantains, the CHWs were able to connect despite the distance between their communities. As Samuel (or Jacques!) can attest, working towards a better future can be arduous, but it can be fun as well!