In remote villages – where resources are limited and local people rely on traditional medicine – ‘health literacy’ can arm people with information to prevent disease, make healthy choices and improve their quality of life.

A big part of our program is building community capacity to deal with jiggers (Tunga penetrans) – a sand flea which causes debilitating pain and stigma in remote areas.  Our trained Community Health Volunteers use a natural and effective combination of neem oil and coconut to treat children and families with jiggers, allowing them to recover, while learning practical skills to prevent re-infection.

 

Our volunteers also test and refer people for malaria, and advocate awareness of disease outbreaks.
Key information is shared using local language,in ways that everyone can understand and engage with.

Since Positive Aid established its Health Literacy program, we have sensitised local communities about a range of priority health issues, including jiggers, malaria, Covid-19 and water and sanitation.  And every day more and more people are building latrines, stringing up mozzie nets and sharing knowledge about health.