October 2012 – Ongoing

During the course of Summer School in 2012, WYCF noticed an alarmingly high number of illnesses amongst the children in our schools. Around the same time, it was declared that Sierra Leone was facing the worst Cholera outbreak in 15 years.

WYCF quickly recognised the need to protect our children and their families from preventable diseases. Up-to-date, we have established school health clubs in all our schools, these clubs take the lead to sensitise colleagues’ students and community stakeholders during our meetings and events.

The challenges:

– 3-5 of 90-100 children left school early complaining of illness;

– Fluctuating class sizes due to children staying home when showing signs of illness;

– Recurrent bowel and skin related complaints;

– Unhealthy practices such as not washing hands and consuming water not suitable for drinking.

Our solution:

– Deliver a Health & Hygiene sensitization programme in George Brook and Kroo Bay;

– Disseminate information through focus groups in both communities;

– Target a relevant topic each week, over the course of 7 weeks: Water, Food, Body, Scabies, Cholera & Dysentery, HIV/AIDS, Smoking & Drugs;

The outcomes:

– Families felt empowered by the newly gained knowledge;

– WYCF observed an effort to change some hygiene practices amongst the communities;

– WYCF built a stronger, trusting relationship with the families and established its presence in both target communities outside the basic remits of running our schools.