Nine Car Convoy

In a village where it is rare to see a car a day, and when that car is likely to be a beaten up old taxi held together with duck-tape, it is known that a 9 car convoy of white UN landcruiser vehicles will cause a stir.

Causing a stir in the community. All in a day's work.

The UN Country Team was in the northern region for a visit, and I was able to join on behalf of Health. We were to visit key sites of the different organisations, to observe what each one is doing, and see if everyone can join together and work as ‘one big family’. Many a corny reference to the UN being a family was made... I couldn’t tell you who most of my family members were! But it was a great experience.

Opening the water flow. The lady in orange is in charge of the water flow, and charges each barrel 5 peswars (about 3 cents) to be filled. She only had 1 tap open of the 6. We asked that they are all used. We were prepping the site before the convoy arrived

Preparing the Health Facility before the 'Family' arrived. They were sticking the table together with sticky tape. The volunteers and mothers waited patiently for a few hours.

We visited Tampion in the Northern Region to look at our organisation’s work. We met the chief of the village which is an experience in itself. Talking through interpreters, most of the community came to listen in to what was going on. The media brought some awesome old school cameras and put them right in the chief’s face and other representatives. They were late but made a good deal of noise as they arrived when we were deep in discussions!

The chief and his men

The media getting right among it. Loved their camera!

The water supply had been improved in the area, and Guinea Worm eradicated because the drinking water was now safe, it was previously a large problem here. The initial intervention was supplying the school with clean water, however the community were now crowding the water tanks, as the water supply is not adequate enough for the whole community.

Collecting water for home use. Complete with child on your back. Done with such skill and ease it looks easy. I couldn't pick up that bucket I don't think, let alone lift it to my head.

The handwashing facilities that we donated to the school. The water gets pretty hot out in the sun all day, but it has improved hygiene significantly.

Clean drinking water for the kids now in place at the school. Cross contamination isn't heard of here, but it was great to watch so many kids come out and enjoy a drink.

Previously to our interventions, no houses in the community had latrines, open defecation was practiced, however now all houses had a toilet, and some communities in the district are declared ODF “open defecation free”. Inspecting the facilities at the schools brought this into perspective; urinals for both boys and girls, and a hole in the ground for other business. However it’s a vast improvement on nothing.

The Tuck Shop at school

There is a small health facility in Tampion, with two nurses and bad road access. The small building was inspected, while meeting the community volunteers that the health service relies upon to treat all children under 5 for malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia. There is also a malnutrition clinic here, with three new cases as we arrived. I spoke with one woman who asked what we are going to do about ensuring families have enough food. Simply treating malnutrition with food at the clinic is not going to stop the problem of inadequate supplies. Fortunately I have heard of some interesting schemes and programs aimed at addressing this. I hope it reaches this community.

Inside the health clinic

The mothers of the malnourished (current and cured) children, and the community volunteers on the right with their donated boxes of medication/treatment.

A quick in and out visit, but we were sure to leave our mark behind as we kicked up the dust all the way back to Tamale. The team visited the Upper East Region, complete with police escorts in the high (well, it’s all relative) risk areas, and I met up again with them in the Upper West. 

To be continued….