First Health Club Meeting

Today I had my first health club meeting at the secondary school. Even though I was told there was already a health club there, there was not one until this week. On Tuesday I met with one of their teachers and she created one for me. She selected a group of girls who showed strength in science and English and were interested in learning about health. They all met with me today and seemed very excited to participate in the club.

After introductions, I asked the girls to brainstorm what they already know about the connections between health and water. One girl said that water can be contaminated. Another added that you can treat water. As each student added something about the connections between health and water, we came up with three main topics of contaminated water, water flow, and water treatment. Under contaminated water, the girls mentioned some of the sources of contamination including sewage, industry, bathing, spraying chemicals (crops), and fecal contamination. The girl who added fecal contamination spoke of someone bathing in the water who then goes to the bathroom. We talked a little, and the girls giggled some, about the differences between peeing and pooping in the water. I also talked about how both human and animal feces can be contaminants. The girls also brought up methods they already know for treating water such as boiling and chlorinating water. One student added that you need to filter the water before you can boil it or chlorinate it. I told the students that we would be experimenting with several methods of water treatment. I also said that I would not have all of the answers, but that we would be scientists and learn together.

I asked the girls to brainstorm questions they would like to explore further this year as part of the health club. They came up with quite a comprehensive list:

·         How can we prevent waterborne illnesses?

·         What measures can be taken to those who contaminate the water?

·         How much of our environment should we and can we keep clean?

·         How can we maintain personal health?

·         How can we control (treat) waterborne diseases?

·         How can we educate other people to maintain health?

·         Which waterborne diseases can spread from one person to another and how?

We briefly talked about each question the girls suggested. I added to the last question about learning how they spread saying that that would also help us understand how to prevent the illnesses. Then I gave the students an assignment over their break to write about their own experiences with water such as where they get it, how they store it, and how they use it.

I was really impressed with the discussion on our first meeting. I have visited three primary schools in the area and noticed that most of the classes are still very lecture-like in style. I was worried that I would have to do that too, but the girls in the health club seemed open to other ways of learning. I also think their science teacher likes to do some hands-on labs so they are used to things being a little different with her. The teacher said that she would do more labs, but they do not always have enough materials for each student. She said this means that the students are used to working in groups or gathering around to watch one or two people do demo labs.

After our discussion about the connections between water and health and giving them the assignment, I opened up the floor for questions about anything. I have realized that the children here have many questions for me about the US and where I have traveled so I feel like it’s only fair to give them a chance to ask these questions. Also, I remember in my philosophy classes in undergrad how my professor always started class by letting us ask questions about anything. It was something I really looked forward to. So, I told the students that they could ask me anything and that I would try my best to answer. They asked me some personal questions about whether I had children. I told them I did not, but that I was getting married next year. They asked me about my fiancé and I told them what he was doing in Kenya. The girls asked me about the educational system in the US like how many years you studied in primary, secondary, and university. Then, the questions really got interesting and brought up some crazy discussions. It was great fun and I learned a lot about the students.

I need to get a regular power source so that I can start videotaping these club meetings. Maybe it is better that the first one was not videotaped though because the students were so open and I really think the first meeting set us off to a great start.