DIARRHEA

Diarrhea- as defined by one of our Child Survival community care groups-
"A sickness that brings noise like a sheep in your stomach and breaks your back."

I like that description. Pretty accurate. Comprehensive. But not too many gory details! Living here, Seth and I've had definitely endured our most serious bouts of and the strangest conversations about diarrhea... but I definitely WON'T go into all that...

Anyhow, I got be a part of these women's first community care group (pictured here). I was so impressed with these women. They are each volunteers. Elected by other members of their community to learn basic health messages and then to share them with other young mothers.

So they came together. Sat in a small room in a local health clinic. And talked diarrhea. The young, smiling World Relief Health promoter, Gertrude, asking prompting questions, showing pictures, and teaching. They discussed soft, hard and empty stomachs, watery feces, unclean water, flies, and the need to properly take care of waste, to boil water, and to their wash hands. They covered it all: The symptoms. The causes. And prevention.

And even though I could only track the conversation through a translator, I sat quietly and observed, enjoying the obvious rapport of the group (even though it was their first session!). I could tell by the women's relaxed postures, their laughter, their open answers and thoughts that were translated for me, that they felt comfortable.

And I think what is especially incredible is how this group will grow. They will stay together for 5 years. They will learn more about diarrhea. Malaria. Nutrition. Immunizations for their families. And there is potential for them to evolve into much more (as has happened in other countries)... maybe becoming a savings group, a group cooking nutritious meals together for their families, praying together, etc.

Pretty sweet stuff to be a part of.