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23 August 2001 by Marko Kokic in Accra Over the last five years, the Ghana Red Cross has seen its membership more than double. At the core of this surge in membership are women and young people. The most active of the new recruits, they make a vital contribution to the improvement of social and health conditions at the grassroot level, especially in the area of community development and the fight against HIV/AIDS. New youth volunteers are working effectively to reach their peers with messages on safe sex practices and HIV/AIDS. The Peer Education project of the Ghana Red Cross has now trained more than 650 young volunteers. An integral part of the communities themselves, the peer educators hold frequent meetings where young people work and congregate. They show videos,organize games and debates on HIV/AIDS prevention. Each peer educator instructs at least 20 individuals on safe sex practices per month. In Kumasi region alone, 30 volunteers have educated close to 11,000 people. "In conversations with my friends, I realised they really don't know much about sex, much less HIV/AIDS. They feel embarrassed to consult adults so they turn to their peers for advice. Unfortunately, their peers don't know any more than they do. They are pleased when I give them the correct information they seek. Some adults even approach us for advice," explains peer educator Frank Danquah. Educators speak of abstinence as the safest way to avoid HIV infection. However, aware that this is not always possible, they distribute condoms and non-prescription contraceptives. "In our society it is very difficult to approach adults to have any type of discussion relating to sex. We have the opportunity to meet with our peers and communicate without such social barriers. By the same token, most of our peers would find it very difficult to purchase contraceptives or HIV prevention products from adults in places like pharmacies. As a peer educator they don't feel any stigma in approaching me for such things," says another peer educator Veronica Baofo. Also working at the community level across the country are close to 10,000 people in 500 Red Cross Mothers' Clubs. The clubs' activities include dissemination of Red Cross principles and history, primary health care, leadership training, income generation activities and community service. In Potrikrom village in Ano South District there are four Mothers' Clubs with a total of 60 members. "Most of us joined because of the benefits from cholera prevention techniques taught to us the first time the Ghana Red Cross visited here several years ago. These techniques saved my child. Later, when the Red Cross returned with the idea of a Mothers' Club we were motivated to join because we knew the impact Red Cross training could have on our village," says member Ama Serwaa. Potrikrom Mothers' Clubs are involved in several activities geared towards improving their community including door-to-door awareness campaigns on basic sanitation, prevention and treatment of diarrhoeal diseases and encouraging mothers to breast feed their babies. One of their success stories includes rescuing a traffic accident victim by applying first aid techniques taught to them by the Ghana Red Cross. The Club's activities are self-financed through revenues generated from a three acre plot of land on which they grow cassava, peppers and maize. The village men are very supportive of the activities. As one husband, Nana Koaume commented, "the Mothers' Club is of much help to us, we the men, because women give us some kind of assistance in educating our children and improving our community." Each Mothers' Club is unique and focuses on activities which will have the greatest impact in their respective communities. The majority of the population of the remote village of Natriku in Dangbe West District are farmers. The club decided to concentrate on first aid. "As we are far away from the hospital we decided to come together and organise as women so that if someone should get hurt we can help them while they wait for hospitalization," recounts member, Victoria Byenor. One of the major problems that one of the poor suburbs of Accra, Nima, faces is refuse disposal. Prior to the efforts of the Red Cross Mothers' Club, drainage canals were choked with garbage, spreading deadly diseases such as cholera. Club members cleaned the canals and continue to maintain them. They have successfully lobbied authorities to impose a fine on people who throw trash in the canals. Members also teach women to read and write as well as train them in opening small businesses. The club generates money from a number of activities such as the sale of home-made palm oil, lotions, cooked food and handmade table cloths and hats. Income generation is also a speciality of the Mothers' Club in North Suntreso District of the Kumasi. Here. they melt used plastic containers to make various coloured beads which they later sell. Other income generating activities of the club's 75 members include soap, pepper sauce and powdered soup. Future plans included the opening of a bakery. Both these community based projects are about empowerment - and ultimately saving lives. More news and report from Ghana Volunteering Make a donation |
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