Since 1984, JOICFP has been providing technical support to its Zambian counterpart the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) to train community health volunteers.

From 25th to 28th January, Wakako Kai, Assistant Program Officer, Resource and Campaign, JOICFP, visited the project site in Fiwale, Ndola, Copperbelt Region, to observe the RH project supported by JOICFP.

Health posts or 'clubs' as they are known, are used to train volunteers, deliver health education and services such as immunization, and also serve as daycare centers. Some of these clubs have been supported by the Bellmark Foundation (click here for more information).

At Kandale Club House, Kai observed volunteers in cooperation with the District Health Management Team deliver vaccination to and health checks for under-five-year-olds. While villagers were lining up outside, volunteers performed a drama and dance educating against HIV/AIDS, by explaining methods of transmission and promoting VCT.

At the health check for under-fives in Kandale Club House

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) also performed a song and dance routine explaining what to do and not to do during pregnancy.

Literacy rates are very low in the area, so drama, song and dance are extremely valuable ways of delivering health messages.

People lining up for a health check eagerly watch a drama
on VCT performed by volunteers

Volunteers using drama to promote VCT

Volunteers' voices

On being asked what motivated them, community-based distributors (CBDs) explained that they wanted to do something to stop people dying from disease and pregnancy related complications. They were now trained in safe motherhood, explaining HIV/AIDS issues, including testing and counseling, and family planning. After completing training, they receive a bicycle and can distribute condoms.

Some CBDs explained that traditional reluctance to condom usage, for example, could be overcome if they were an example in the community with fewer, healthier children. Furthermore, to gain community acceptance, CBDs would help villagers in the field and at the same time talk about health.

Peer educators are young people who spread health messages in the community. They explained that new attitudes had to be adopted or many people would die, and that parents had to recognize the value of their activities.

Peer educators

On being interviewed, TBAs explained that after the PPAZ training they realized that some traditional practices were not supportive of health. Now, for example, they refer prolonged cases of delivery, and emphasize birth spacing instead of having another child as quickly as possible. In addition, they can go around the community checking on women's health.

They too, were being seen as examples in the community with fewer, healthier children.

One TBA explained that in the past she might attend a funeral every day, but now she actually had more time through bringing health care and information into the community.

Two traditional birth attendants

The economy of Zambia is still not strong enough to reduce poverty, and the impact of AIDS means that life expectancy is on average around 35 years. All the people interviewed recognized that communities themselves must deal with their problems and not rely on the government, donors, or Japanese NGOs.