May 2008

Community Health Development (CHD) is empowering communities to make changes for healthier living as God intends, so they can multiply and prosper.  I’m learning how to work with poor communities that have major health needs; how to research the root of the problem, pray into it and facilitate community committees to intervene for sustainable change and hope for a brighter future. 

Here I am teaching our class as if they were village volunteers.  I'm teaching on the concept of Positive Deviation concerning nutrition practices in a village where the majority of them are malnourished.  After I gave it, one of the other students, Augustina from Ghana, said she will definitely use the teaching I gave back home in her country.  She said she had not really understood it when it was taught but got it when I taught the concept.  That was very encouraging for me to hear.  We are all trying to hone our teaching skills in non-formal education which means using visuals, audio, skits, discussion groups, role plays, being creative and active, etc.  When teaching adults, we've learned it is important to involve them in the teaching so they get revelation for themselves. 

This among other things is what we are learning and it is challenging.  In another 5 weeks, two other classmates and I will have completed a project proposal for a community in Mauritania, Africa where one of them hopes to work one day.  This proposal will be a plan for interventions to decrease the malnutrition rate for children under 5.  It is really much more complex than I ever thought it was -- to help a community help itself.  There are so many various aspects of it and the cultural and language differences make it multiple times more difficult.  It is exciting though to be taught by people who are out there now or have been recently -- making a difference and knowing it is not only possible, but very do-able -- especially when God's principles are being taught and walked out. 

This photo is our class giving teachings on mat floors -- as though we were in a village.

 Top 5 health problems in developing countries:

1. Malnutrition – hugely impacts all other sickness & disease,

2. Neo-Natal problems

3. Pneumonia & Diarrhea

4. Malaria

5. Measles

Here, I am acting out a role play as a sick child in her mom's arms.

Our school theme verses are from Isaiah 58:6, 7, 11 & 12 . . .

6 Isn't the fast I choose: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke?  7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and to not ignore your own flesh and blood?  11 The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones.  You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry.  12  Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live.       

This is what I aim to do. 

This is a simple chart that shows what kind of diet several villagers have.  Pictures were posted on the board and then the villagers were asked how often they ate them.  When analyzed next to each other, it gives an indication of what may be lacking in their diets.  Then you can ask them direct questions concerning nutritional practices.  Simple, yet effective.  

 
 
The next phase of this school is a 3-month internship which begins towards the end of June through September.  I feel God is leading me to Porto Velho, Brazil which is on the Amazon River (pic below).  It looks like I’m the only one feeling led this way – so I’ll be going alone.  Thank the Lord I have met the YWAM base leader before so I know there will be a familiar face to greet me!  This YWAM base runs a Malaria Hospital and serves the locals as well as the tribal villagers from the surrounding area in various mercy ministries.  I hope to use much of what I am learning to help develop sustainable community health programs with existing ministries there while also listening & learning from them.  

Partners Needed:  My deepest gratitude goes to my current partners for your financial support and prayers.  It takes a team to do what God has called me to do and I count you as precious team members.  If you are not already partnering with me, I invite you to join the team today through ongoing support or by contributing to this specific need.  I’ve estimated that I’ll need $6,000 for the three months in Brazil.  Click this link for options on giving Donations.

Questions?  Call me… 808.896.5142 (6 hrs behind EST) or email me at alisondraper@hotmail.com, I’d love to hear from you!

P.S.  I'm in PRINT!   My last outreach team was featured in the latest Kona campus magazine called Transform Nations -- here's the link if you're interested in reading about that and what God's been doing from our campus . . . 
www.uofnkona.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=control.main&sectionID=208