Project Launch:

The Snam Krapeu Health Center is the primary healthcare provider for the residents of twenty-four rural villages in Snam Krapeu Province. The Health Center provides prenatal care checkups and infant immunizations during open hours, as well as child delivery and minor emergency care at all hours. Beyond these basic health services, the Snam Krapeu Health Center also has a network of ‘Village Health Volunteers’ (VHVs) who lead education sessions and health-related activities in the villages covered by the Health Center. There are forty-eight total VHVs, two for each of the villages covered by Snam Krapeu, half of which are women. The Health Center staff holds bimonthly meetings with the VHVs to provide additional training, distribute birth control, and collect health statistics from each village.

 

This project will support the creation of Women’s Health Groups to help improve the efficacy of health education and outreach in these communities, as well as strengthen the role of women in these communities. The creation of Women’s Health Groups will enable the VHVs to improve health education and assist behavioral change related to basic health concepts. Each Women’s Health Group will consist of ten women from a single village, and will meet twice a month to openly discuss and learn about proper nutrition, sanitation and maternity care. Through discussions and sharing of experiences, the women will gain important health knowledge and self-confidence from these positive interactions. The creation of Women’s Health Groups will help empower rural women to make healthy choices for their families and shape them into positive health role models within the community.

 

Project Update

Women's Health Groups have been created in six rural villages, one more village than originally planned. Each group met twice per month, covering topics such as birth control, nutrition, diabetes, sanitation and infectious disease. Each workshop consisted of a hands on activity and exercise to supplement the lectures and group discussions. Over the course of the project, the women became more confident and participated more during the workshops. As a result of this project, over 150 women who are primary caretakers have been educated on important health topics to improve the health and overall well being of their families and individuals within the village.

 

Testimonials

"This project has been a great way to go out into the villages farthest away from the Health Center.  All the villagers are so excited when we come and are enthusiastic to learn." - Amanda, Peace Corps Volunteer 

 

"We now know how to make our children grow and to be healthy." - Oen, Project Participant