With the inevitable diagnosis of H1N1 flu cases in Namibia (only 4 confirmed to date), we’ve been thinking about how to educate those we work with so they’re aware of the disease and know what preventative measures to take. Although the Health Ministry has been distributing information on the signs and symptoms, an article in the newspaper this week reported that people in the informal settlement areas – who are thought to be at most risk due to crowded living conditions and poor hygiene practices – know little or nothing about this “new” flu. So obviously more needs to be done.
Home Based Care
People living with HIV and AIDS are more at risk because of their already compromised health, so it is important to make sure they do understand how to protect themselves from this and other diseases. Our Carers are making sure that they talk about it with each client (and his/her family or household, wherever possible) so that they are aware of what to do.
After School Program
Our ASP kids (like most) are generally not very concerned with what is and is not hygienic, so we have been putting extra emphasis on simple things that can be done to stop “sharing” germs with their friends: sneezing or coughing into a tissue, regular hand washing and staying home if they are really not well. With all the coughs, colds and flus around at the moment it’s a wonder that we’re all not laid low!
Those who are not well…
Bella continues to stay at home until she is fully recovered. She’s thankful for our prayers. Steven remains positive and is working hard at his physiotherapy sessions.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Under the Weather
No matter how willing our volunteers are to help at the After School Program sometimes health issues interfere:
John
Unfortunately the injury required John to stay off his feet so he has not been back at ASP. His classes at the Polytechnic are also resuming, so he will have to sort out his timetable before he knows when he will be available in the afternoons.
Bella
Bella’s also been absent due to continued ill health. She is also trying to cope with stress from conflict with the people she lives with.
Steven
Steven remains at the medical centre undergoing physiotherapy. He is still very positive although he has not made much physical progress.
Please pray for all these health issues!
John
Unfortunately the injury required John to stay off his feet so he has not been back at ASP. His classes at the Polytechnic are also resuming, so he will have to sort out his timetable before he knows when he will be available in the afternoons.
Bella
Bella’s also been absent due to continued ill health. She is also trying to cope with stress from conflict with the people she lives with.
Steven
Steven remains at the medical centre undergoing physiotherapy. He is still very positive although he has not made much physical progress.
Please pray for all these health issues!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Meet Bella
Meet Bella, one of our new volunteers at the After School Program. Bella is qualified in Early Childhood Development - and actually trained with Tangee, our Coordinator. Best of all, though, is that Bella is one of our Home Based Care clients!
She's been out of work for some time and Aline, Tangee's wife (who is one of the Home Based Carers and has been visiting Bella), remembered that they had trained together, so mentioned the After School Program to her. Bella was really interested and came to have a look at it in action three weeks ago.
Helping the children with their homework 
The other new volunteer, John, injured his knee the weekend after starting at the Program, and so has been resting it at home ever since. We're waiting to hear when he'll be up and about again.
The children have group discussions to answer questions
She's been out of work for some time and Aline, Tangee's wife (who is one of the Home Based Carers and has been visiting Bella), remembered that they had trained together, so mentioned the After School Program to her. Bella was really interested and came to have a look at it in action three weeks ago.
Helping the children with their homework
Tangee put her to work helping the Grade 3s and 4s and she hasn't looked back! "I just love working with children," Bella says, "and am really happy to have the opporunity to help them at the same time."
Managing the classroom
She has been struggling with anaemia, though, and had to stay at home for a week as she felt very weak and tired. Thankfully she is feeling better now but we would appreciate your prayers for her.
The other new volunteer, John, injured his knee the weekend after starting at the Program, and so has been resting it at home ever since. We're waiting to hear when he'll be up and about again.
Other updates
TABLES - As you can see from the photos above, we don't have enough tables for the children to work at. We are now looking into having some made as the hardware stores here do not stock folding tables that are strong enough for the demands of After School!
Tangee looks after the paperwork while helping the twins with their homework
LIFE SKILLS - Hauta and I have started with the weekly Life Skills group for children in Grades 6 to 10. Once again the children really enjoy talking about making good decisions, sexuality, HIV-AIDS and influencing others, while learning practical and Biblical skills to help them live their lives to the fullest.
The children have group discussions to answer questions
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