Project HEAL

This summer, the team will focus on three main goals: sustainable development, health, and education. We will focus on two projects that center around the idea of sustainable development: a drip irrigation system and a rainwater collection system. In Accra, we plan to implement the drip irrigation systems in collaboration with a non-profit organization called ABAN (A Ban Against Neglect). This organization has specifically asked for ways to improve their small scale agriculture output. Two years ago, the Project Heal trip group successfully implemented drip irrigation systems at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Lawra, Ghana. The drip irrigation proved to greatly improve the crop yield and conserve the amount of water needed to maintain the plants. Therefore, this project has proved to be very feasible and ecological. In Lawra, Ghana, we plan to build rainwater collection systems for the Lawra Methodist Nutrition and Rehabilitation Centre. The project manager, Madam Marjorie Nintori, of the centre has specifically requested a way to harvest water for the dry season agriculture. The plants that are grown at the centre are used to nourish the patients but are also sold to pay for treatments. We plan on constructing the rainwater collection system based off of a model by Peter Morgan that uses waterproof shade cloth for the gutter system. This material is very cheap and similar forms are fairly easy to find in the area. Therefore, the rainwater collection system could be simply implemented in other parts of the area. The finished system will be maintained by the staff at the Rehabilitation Centre and by future Project Heal summer trips to Lawra. This rainwater collection system will give Madam Nintori and her staff a more convenient access to water for agricultural purposes. We also have health related projects planned for this summer. The first is to carryout first aid and dental workshops at several primary, junior high and senior high schools in Lawra. In these workshops, we will simply be demonstrating how to brush one’s teeth or dress a wound and then distribute supplies to the children. We plan to pay special attention to cultural differences when it comes to dental care. Traditionally, people in Ghana use “chewing sticks” to clean their teeth so when they receive toothbrushes they brush too hard and cause significant damage to their gums. We will not be administering any one on one first aid care ourselves but we will teach the children the proper technique to avoid infections. Along with the workshops, we plan on bringing over donated medical supplies to several doctors such as Dr. Chris Fofie who has requested cervical cancer screening equipment. Lastly, we plan to help renovate the Peace Library at Lawra District Hospital. This library was originally built by Project Heal on the 2008 summer trip. We will respond to any specific requests the hospital has for the library (such as a new paint job) and bring over more educational material for children and adults.