Summary of project status and achievements:
In contrast to preceding months, FORGE health classes received minimal interest from the Kala community, reflected in enrollment, attendance and completion rates. Although recruitment was higher than normal, feedback from the community indicated two primary reasons for the drop in interest in the classes, namely that a) after teaching health in Kala for many years, many of the people who were interested in health had already participated in a FORGE health class, and b) after community sensitization took place informing section leaders and participants who took part in Fazili's class in which child delivery was taught, there was still confusion about FORGE health classes. This seemed to be two-fold, in that some people were told that they should discard their certificates because they were useless (misinterpreted from the message that the certificates did not certify the holder to administer any sort of medical treatment or procedures), while others were had heard rumors that FORGE taught information and then told people not to use the information they were given (especially since the topics that were not supposed to be taught seem to be the ones people were most interested in and they feel are the most important). Sara and Byamungu continued a rigorous sensitization campaign trying to alleviate any fears or concerns regarding health classes, occasionally including visits to participants' homes in order to clear up any confusion. People who had discarded their certificates were also given replacements.
The youth group program experienced identical problems to the primary school program described in the CDRC report, as it was part of the same program.
Because the Traveling Health Workshop saw such low numbers, it was decided that instead of carrying out a final session, Byamungu would carry out one-day informational health seminars around the community in places where people tended to congregate.
Indicators and Statistics:
See October spreadsheet.
Future goals:
For the youth group retention to improve and for Byamungu to teach 3-4 seminars per week.
Substantial problems or issues:
Low interest and high numbers of dropouts.
Wishes or requests:
None.
