Kakinada

In June and July of 2003 seven HEAL members established a health education program at a newly constructed hospital in Kakinada. The hospital, under the direction of Open Arms, a non profit organization established in Portland, OR, provides both emergency treatment and preventative health care for the poor in Kakinada. Funding for the clinic, primarily from the Crystal Springs Foundation, has made it possible for qualified physicians to provide much-needed health care free of cost. With the help of the hospital director, Paparao, the HEAL team hired two female health workers named Raji and Bhavani. These health promoters were trained in basic health principles and practices using Laubach Literacy International's Literacy Solutions* manuals in conjunction with specialized lessons created for the Kakinada area by the HEAL team and the hospital doctors. Raji and Bhavani were taught the methodology and given ample time to practice while teaching alongside HEAL volunteers in the new clinic, local schools, and nearby villages.
In addition to hiring and training, HEAL members participated in other Open Arms projects involving three orphanages, several schools, and a leper clinic.

Laubach Literacy

The Laubach Literacy manuals include a series of short lessons that address the importance of health, sanitation, and disease prevention. Examples of lessons include basic hygiene and sanitation practices, prevention of diarrhea and malaria, and the importance of immunizations. The manual can be adapted by local health promoters to include other lesson topics as needed in their communities.

In addition to providing curriculum for health classes, the Laubach Literacy manuals outline specific methodology for health promoters to follow. Each lesson begins with a code, or a picture. Simple questions about the picture are asked and discussed. Rather than the traditional teacher/student approach, a facilitator - which will be the local health promoters in this case- leads the group in discussion and shares new knowledge and key points as addressed in the manual. The learners are given the opportunity to share personal experiences and thoughts about the lesson topic. Each lesson focuses on developing critical thinking skills (i.e. reflecting on why good health is important and how they can solve problems), fundamental skills (i.e. how to purify water and prevent diarrhea), cultural expression (lessons address issues specific to India), and action (i.e. resolve or a solution to a problem). Because each lesson ends with a commitment to make improvement or change, this methodology empowers communities and ultimately creates social change.

HEAL Team Members in Kakinada:

Aaron Rogers, Peter and Sarah Sturgeon, Ean Estep, Trever Wilkins, Matt and Marlo Hamilton