My Time Spent in Mikang (Garkawa & Montol District), Rural Area in Nigeria.

GAP II - Mikang LGA Water & Water Borne Diseases Project

Pilot Project Debriefing Project Objectives & Debriefing Highlights:

1. To provide six simple hand dug wells in most the needy communities in Garkawa District.
*Based on observations, Global Relief may change the objective to providing boreholes in place of hand dug wells

2. To distribute insecticide treated mosquito nets to 200-300 pregnant women and children during the pilot project take-off.
*While Global Relief was unable to access mosquito nets, the research team collected names of the pregnant woman and nursing mothers, that are likely candidates for the disbursement of mosquito nets in the future implementation of the GAP project.

3. To train 40-50 LGA health workers and develop skills in management and control of uncomplicated malaria/water borne diseases cases.
*Global relief trained thirty-one (31) community health workers and social workers in the provision of safe water and the management of waterborne diseases.
*I made a presentation called “Barriers to Changing Society Habits – The connection between Canada & Africa”

4. To increase knowledge of communities in safe water needs, hazards of unsafe water, environmental sanitation and malaria prevention/control.
*Global Relief initiated a community sensitization outreach to increase awareness about safe drinking water and the management of waterborne diseases. Over 300 community members attended from several villages.

5. To collate and update data on Mikang LGA water needs/malaria control efforts.
* A volunteer research team attended the pilot project and conducted research to collect data (community participation data, water samples for microbial and chemical analysis) to be used in understanding future water needs and control efforts.

6. To conduct geophysical surveys for selection of well sites.
*8 points in four villages were surveyed.

7. To produce a water & malaria documentary for greater advocacy and awareness on water & malaria/waterborne diseases status in plateau state.
*Video coverage was taken on a range of activities and digital photographs were taken.

8. To solicit support and engage policy makers, community leaders, relevant development agencies and government in the process.
*The following persons were paid advocacy visits and support was solicited: Permanent Secretary Plateau State Ministry of Health, Program Manager Plateau State Rollback Malaria, The Chairman of Mikang LGA, The Secretary of Mikang LGA, Traditional leaders and village heads and the First Baptist Church leader in Garkawa.

9. To build capacity for the GAP II project so as to expand to other LGAs.
*These efforts are on-going in advocacy visits to development partners, etc.

10. To empower communities on self-help best practices in safe water management and malaria control.
*Global Relief initiated community sensitization outreach where over 300 individuals from several villages attended. Local field based community development teams were set up.