Raleigh recruits "Mini Medics" at Jayapura School

Here at field base we know that charity begins at home, and with that in mind Vijay, our host country venturer coordinator, and I, field base medic Louise, visited the local school here in Jayapura to start a programme of health education with the students.

The work has already started to improve hygiene standards at the school.  Last weekend Vijay took 12 potential host country venturers (HCVs) to the school as part of their selection weekend, to dig out the clogged drainage ditch where the children wash their plates after lunch. The children and their teachers were very pleased with the results.  Further plans to install a scraps bucket, so that unwanted food can be fed to the local cows instead of clogging the ditch, are now underway.

The pupils gather to show us their newly cleaned drainage ditch (bottom left of picture)

The local cows are ready to help us out with our waste disposal problem!

Today's aim was to introduce the idea of "Little Doctors" or "Mini Medics" to all the students at the school.  Two children from each class will receive training in health and hygiene, plus a mini hygiene kit containing soap, scrubbing brushes, nit comb, and a Raleigh "Mini Medics" T-shirt.  They will be responsible for teaching the other children in their class about hand-washing, keeping clean, cutting nails, combing hair, disposing of waste hygienically and keeping the environment around us clean and tidy.

The school assemble to hear our talk

The thought of speaking in front of 360 students would normally fill me with fear, but I received such a warm reception from the pupils and teachers that all my nerves were blown away with the enthusiasm for the project.  The pupils listened attentively as I introduced myself and suggested our ideas for the "little doctor" project, with translation provided by their teacher Mr Vaidhyanath.  When I asked for volunteers just one brave girl stood up at first, then other students joined, and soon there was a sea of hands raised in front of me.  The teachers helped us to choose 10 volunteers to become the new "Mini Medics", who came up shyly to meet me on the stage.  I'm looking forward now to our next meeting in two days time, when their training will begin!

Mr Vaidhyanath and I explain the project

Our new team of "Mini Medics"

In a few days we are expecting our 10E groups back to field base for the final wash up, a review of their time here, and the all important end of expedition party.  Venturers and volunteer managers alike are already signing up for the 10km fun run which will take place this Friday to raise money for the work we're planning at Jayapura school. 

So far the runners are:

Yvette Hutcheson

Jason Greenwood
Taylor Eve
Carole Griffiths
Will Whyles
Paul Mohan
Renjith
Daniel Cabral
Shona Bradford
Sacha-Li Franks
Anna Lavelle
Tom Pearce
Kyle Sharpe
Stuart Aitken
Boas Schraven
Louise Hyde
Anna Tate
Pete Diamond
Jenny Shotton

If you would like to sponsor us please visit our just giving site at http://www.justgiving.com/raleighindia to make a donation.  Thank you!