Appendix IV - Training Report on Lake Malawi Schistosomiasis Research

Training Report on Lake Malawi Schistosomiasis Research Programme for Health and School Committees

22 December 2005

@ Cape Maclear Community Day Secondary School

Introduction

The training was organized with the aim of sensitizing the committees on an on-going activity on implementing shallow water fishing ban.

Opening Remarks

Mr Anubi welcomed the participants and urged them to participate fully throughout the training.

Training Objectives

Mrs F. Kaulembe told the participants that this type of training was also done with other committees in the past for VDC and BVC with an aim of banning shallow water fishing and the implementations have started. She continued by saying that during the training some related areas shall be discussed as follows:

1. Implications of shallow water fishing on bilharzia and fish catches in Chembe Village

2. Health problems and their linkages to tourism in Chembe Village

3. Identification of roles of the committees in the project and at the end development of action plans pertaining to their specific group e.g. one for School Committee and the other plan for the Village Health Committees

Topics Covered

Tourism Development at Chembe
Mr Chinguwo presented his topic by giving the participants three questions to be discussed in two groups:-

1. What makes Cape Maclear a famous village?

2. What problems are experienced by tourists?

3. How can the problems be sorted out?

The groups presented the following answers:

(1) Things which make Cape Maclear famous are:

· Species of fish such as mbuna

· Missionary graves

· Beautiful lake, beaches, mountains and indigenous trees

(2) Problems faced by tourists are:

· Bilharzia

· Transport

· Untreated water

· Bad behavior of tour guides

(3) Identified solutions to the problems faced by tourists

· Improved road network

· Provision of treated and safe water

· Civic education to tour guiders

· Construction and use of latrines

· Protect fish eating snails

· Enhance home based health initiatives

· Ensure cleanliness along our beaches

Mr Chinguwo concluded his presentation by telling the participants that some of the solutions to the problems presented will be in any other way their roles which later will be shown in the action plans to be drawn at the end of the training.

A Report on Fish Catches at Chembe and Relationship of Fish and Bilharzia

Mr Mataka (Fisheries) started his presentation by asking participants about the present situation of fish catches at Chembe. In response the participants agreed that fish catches at Chembe had really gone down in comparison to the past due to:

· Introduction of telly lamps

· Increased demand due to increase in human population

· Introduction of modern methods of fishing

· Use of illegal nets

· Shallow water fishing that devastates breeding grounds

· Introduction of trawling methods

· Failure to observe close season during breeding season

· Depending on fish alone as a source of income.

After this, he reminded participants the objective of the training as to ban shallow water fishing during breeding season for Mbuna, Mbaba, Ntchila, Mphuwa and Zambo and the activity will commence January to February as per our project.

He then asked participants to come up with the importance of implementing shallow water fish bans as follows:

· Conservation of species of fish

· More fish will be caught hence more money

· Conservation of certain species e.g. Mbaba lead to reduction of Bilharzia as they eat snails which cause the disease, on this he emphasized that when this is implemented more tourist will be coming at Chembe since bilharzia will be reduced.

Bilharzia as a health problem

Mr. Anubi (Health) complained on Mr. Mataka's presentation by telling the participants that bilharzia has really affected not only tourists but also the whole community. He facilitated his topic by explaining to participants that bilharzia is a waterborne disease, where by, when urinating you pass blood and schistosome eggs into the waters. Eggs hatch, infect snails that later release worms that infect humans while in shallow water. You can get Bilharzia when bathing, defecating, or urinating in those waters.

Symptoms and signs being:

· Pain when passing urine

· Passing urine with blood

· Anemia

Preventive measures:

· Avoid urinating/defecating in water

· Receive treatment those affected

· Protect snail eating fish

· Construct and use bathrooms and toilets

He winded up his presentation by coming up with their roles and responsibilities towards the project in addition to their work as follows:

Village Health Committee

· Assist those affected get treatment

· Work hand in hand with the already trained communities and the community in banning shallow water fishing

· Sensitize the community on the importance of using toilets and bathrooms in the reduction of bilharzia

· Implementing cleaning awareness campaign in the beach premises

School Committee

· Education to children about bilharzia in collaboration with teachers

· Assist in sensitizing the community on the importance of banning shallow water fishing

· Educate children on the dangers of bathing, urinating, defecating in the lake

· Inform the children the goodness of conserving fish species

After this the committees developed their action plan, Mr. Kaulembe and Mr. Mwasesa facilitated this activity.

Action Plan for Chembe School Committee

Action Plan for Chembe Village Health Committees

Methodology Used:

• Brainstorming
• Lectures
• Group Discussion

Facilitators

Mrs. F. Kaulembe (Community Development)

Mr. Chinguwo (Wild Life)

Mr. E. Mataka (Fisheries)

Mr. A. Anubi (Health)

Mr. J. Sumaili (Dzimwe Community Radio)

Mr. P. Mwasesa (Education)

Participants for Training

Kazanje Nkhoma (School Committee Chairman), Kilos Amos (Vice School Committee Chairman), Josephine Ndavutika (Vice Secretary - School Committee), Ben Zigodo (School Committee Member), Steliya Engeni (School Committee Member), Fackson Sauti (School Committee Member), Mrs. A.B. Kaunda (Head Teacher), Borbick Samikwa (Primary School Teacher), Don Kaliza (Teacher), D.S.J. Khumate (Teacher), S.J. Gomani (Teacher), D. Peyala (Committee Member)

Participants from Health Committee

Limison Chisale (Chairman), Jelasi Adam (Vice Chairman), Dick Sadiki (Secretary), Ellen Machira (Secretary), Wandala Amos (Chairman), Dorothy Kapanda (Member), Egritta Thewe (Member), Enes Jabes (Member), Violet Zatha (Member), Sikelita Chikafa (Member), E.F. Moffat (Member), Inessi Mose (Vice Secretary), Sefelina Sitekesi (Member), Rose Chendema (Member), Jiloness Siketala (Vice Chairman), Ireen Chimphamba (Member), Rose Mkandawire (Member), Fidess Njolo (Member), Group Village Headman Chembe (Ex Officio)

Training Time Table for Village Health and School Committees

Opening Prayer - facilitators: J. Chinguwo/F. Kaulembe

Introduction -

Expectations, Norms, Fears -

Training Objectives and Goals - facilitators: P. Mwasesa/J. Chinguwo

Progress Report about Project at Chembe - facilitators: F. Kaulembe/E.D. Mataka

Briefing on Implication of Shallow water fishing on Bilharzia and Fish Catches at Chembe - facilitators: E.D. Mataka/A. Anubi

Health problems and Linkages to Tourism at Chembe - Facilitators A. Anubi/ J. Chinguwo

Identifying Roles of the Committees in the Project - facilitators: P. Mwasesa/ F. Kaulembe

Developing Action Plants - facilitators: E.D. Mataka/ A. Anubi

Problems

Participants complained about the duration of the training since other trainings of the same nature were conducted for two days and this one was for a day. This also affected the facilitators hence we were under panic with the materials to deliver. On the timetable, we didn't include Leadership, as this would have taken up to two days. Nevertheless, it was later discovered that it was relevant to them for the smooth running of the committee.

Suggestions

Funding must marry budget plank

Contingency money should be included to cater for some other costs

Training days should be as planned

Remarks

Despite the problems faced, the training went on very well, as of now Facilitators were able to explain clearly about the purpose objective of the training. Participants liked the training and promised to implement shallow water fishing but not only this year but through the years. Thanks should go to organizers for the smooth running of the trainings conducted and hope they will continue with the rest of the activities.

Reported by : Justice P.Y. Sumaili
Dzimwe Community Radio Station