SEALNet Project Indonesia 2011
Preventive Measures of Intestinal Worm Infection Through the Practice of Personal Hygiene & Sanitation
When: Thursday May 26, 2011 – Wednesday June 8, 2011
Location: Medan, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia
Email: pi11_info [at] sealnetonline.org
Project leaders: Syamil Razak, Nicole Fong
Project Blog: sites.google.com/site/sealnetprojectindonesia2011/weblog
Executive Summary
The prevalence of intestinal worm infection among high school students in Indonesia suggests the need to raise awareness on personal hygiene and the existence of intestinal worm infection. Like any other developing countries, some areas in Indonesia with low socioeconomic issues are lacking resources, knowledge and awareness on personal hygiene and diseases. High temperature and humidity increase the chances of infection and a study conducted in a village of population 3,821 people near Medan, North Sumatra, found that 648 people were infected, most of them being high school students. The SEALNet team hopes to raise the awareness on the importance of personal hygiene and sanitation, by focusing on areas identified as low socioeconomic groups. We aim to give exposure on the preventive measures that exist, and how these measures are cost-effective in the long run.
Community Challenge
The communities that we are working with are farmers that lack the practice of personal hygiene and sanitation in their daily lives. This has been identified as related to the way they work in farms, for example not wearing sandals, drinking unsafe water and also eating undercooked food. These communities have access to/can afford basic life needs (Prosperous Level I,II and III Families). What PI’11 aims to achieve is to promote the preventive measures of intestinal worm infection through the practice of personal hygiene and sanitation.
We also aim to instill the spirit of service and leadership among the local high school students so they become ambassadors of their own community.
Objectives
For local communities
To raise the awareness on gastro-intestinal worm infection and the preventive measures through the practice of personal hygiene and sanitation.
For local high school students
To encourage students to be more involved in community works and become ambassadors of their own community.
Approaches
Local Student Leadership Development:
Several leadership workshops over the duration of the project for local high school students. Students are given the chance to design community outreach activities, many hands-on problem solving situations and information on managing an organization.
Community Outreach:
Outreach activities at local communities will be held together with our local partners and high school students. This includes, but not limited to information session and demonstration.
Campaign Day:
A day will be dedicated to a campaign featuring our local partners, local government, with many information sessions, theme-related activities and performances.
Mass Media:
Information sessions through radio, local publications and TV stations
Local partner
Department of Health, University of North Sumatra.
Team member responsibilities
- Contribute in the planning process of the community outreach, leadership workshop and other activities.
- Work with each other, the local high school students and the community.
Skills needed
- Interest in youth empowerment and working with local communities.
- Strong communication skills are an advantage as we work a lot with the mass media and public.
- Interest in public health is an advantage, but not required.
- Be a strong team player and leader at the same time.