Day 2
The day 2 started with a prayer and then review of the previous day's deliberations. Members reminded one another what transpired during the previous day and among them were the following:
- Expectations
- Leadership dynamics
- Logistics for the training
- Relationship between VDC and development issues
The first presentation on day two was on health related problems that are linked to the lake. Members went into groups that were to discuss before the presentation by the facilitator. Group presentations were as follows:
Group 1
- Bilharzia problems
- Inadequate availability & use of toilets
- Waste disposal problem leading to water contamination e.g. waste disposal problems leaving to diarrhea and cholera etc.
Group 2
Problems that Chembe Village is facing due to health problems
- Bilharzia
- Diarrhea
- Cholera
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- Open bowels
- Coughs
Group 3
- Bilharzia
- Open bowels
- Untreated water
- Inadequate toilets
- Lack of drying places
Presentation on issues arising due to health problems in lakeshore areas by Mr Paul Mwasesa
Easy transmission of diseases such as bilharzias & cholera
Development work is not easily carried out-retard development
As lakeshore areas are tourist attraction centers, tourism activities are affected and economic growth is stunted.
Education is impacted because care is concentrated to the sick and some diseases attacking children affect human intelligence.
Contribute to food insecurity.
Aggravate poverty etc.
The Presentation above was followed by a brief presentation of bilharzia because this was unanimously voted as a serious problem in Chembe Village. Effects arising due to the disease as regard to the core occupation of people in the village were noted to be very negative. Tourism Industry may be affected due to the disease. Mr. A.D Anubi later explained types of Bilharzia as follows:
- Intestinal bilharzia
- Urinal bilharzia
Bilharzia is defined as a disease caused by worms found in the intensive and the urinary system.
Spread of Bilharzias
The risk of infection begins when a human has come in contact with the water that has the worms causing bilharzia. The lifecycle of bilharzia transmission was then explained. The only way to stop bilharzia was transmission was noted to cut any point of the cycle.
Symptoms
- Pain in the stomach
- Rise in body temperature
- Moderate coughs
- Urinating frequently
- Samples of blood are found either in the urine or in stools/feces.
- Pain in felt when urinating or when passing out stools.
Complications of Bilharzia
- Urinary cancer - this comes due to constant tearing of the eggs.
- Inflammation of the Kapamba
- Infertility due to blockage of the reproductive system caused by the eggs.
- Anemia
- Emerging other diseases especially STDs because of the already existing wounds caused by the eggs.
- Difficult to hold urine in the intestine due to insensitivity of the muscles that have been turn by bilharzia eggs.
- May lead to insanity when the eggs get to the brain.
- Inflammation of the stomach due to blockage of some part of the stomach ending at having air that causes the body not to clear body water then files up.
Discussed Preventive Measures
Avoid urinating and defecating in water.
Proper use of toilets and waste disposals.
Identify ways of collecting snails found in water.
Use of a biological control such as breeding of snail eating fish and ducks.
Spray of chemical that kill the snails-through this has an effect to other living creatures.
Problem Faced when Dealing With Bilharzia Problems
Difficult to identify those suffering from bilharzia
Difficult to inform those who have received treatment that they should not take the disease again.
Lack of collaborated efforts among partners in the lakeshore areas to fight the disease.
After this we had a Break
After the break, Mr Chinguwo opened the pre-afternoon session by coming up with a question of development among the three villages of Chembe, Msaka and Kasankha. It was identified that among the three villages, Cape Maclear was the most developed that the lake dwellers have benefited and are still benefiting from. The session went on looking at other problems that may impact tourism development such as:-
- Malaria & Bilharzia
- Lack of security
- Immoral behaviors
- Lack of proper care of the environmental and infrastructure
- Bad roads
- Lack of justice to tourists
Out of the problems listed, it was found that they are of two origin, that of man made and the natural problems.
This then lead to the highlighting of the biological control measures of such as sustainable utilization of our fish resources.
There was fear arising from the participants on the topic saying fisheries activity is the major activity which is bringing enough money to Chembe Village and as such is a sensitive subject to tackle and responded on.
Mr Mataka from the fisheries department came in working at the fisheries activity at large. A question asked to Mr. Susani on the experience of the fish catch trend had a feed buck of saying that fishing activities an methods have now increased catching a lot of fish at a time. Fishing methods named were:-
Makhoka anyali (kauni)
Engine driven boats
The fisheries department.
Overpopulation
Diminishing fish populations.
Increased fishing methods.
Break for Lunch
After lunch the fisheries assistant Mr. Mataka reminded the participants of the other smaller organizations (community based) that are found in Chembe village as below:-
1. Social Committee- Education
2. VNRMCs - Park and Wildlife/WESM
3. Trust Fund Committee - Parks and Wildlife/WESM
4. Community Policing- Internal Security
5. Village Health Committee - Health & Population
6. Village Aids Committee - Health & Population
7. Circle - Gender & Social Welfare
8. Water Point Committee - Irrigation & Water Supply
9. Tour guide Association - Tourism & Information
10. Beach Village Committee - Environment & Resources
Before proceeding with the sessions, Mr Mataka invited questions from the participants and one question asked by Mr Moses Banda wanted to know the powers of the trust fund whether is any greater than the VDC. In answering the VDC was found to be stronger than the trust saying that the VDC is the top most window for development in the village set-up. The trust is just like the treasury arm of the village.
Mr. Mataka asked the village headman representative to suggest an action plan for the VDC. In response the Village Head representative thought it wise to finalize with the plan together so that implementation is done as soon as possible.
Below is the tentative Work Plan Development drawn by the Chembe VDC
|
Date |
Activity |
Required resources |
|
Every Fridays of the third week in a month |
Monthly planning meetings. Inviting for committee such as VHCs, BVC, school committee, PTA, water etc. (Report on the meeting dates to be communicated after sensitization meeting during the first planning meeting) |
Materials for message distribution such as pens, exercise books/papers |
Table 2
|
Problem |
Intervention |
Committee |
To do by date |
|
Bilharzia and Unsafe/protected places Fisheries problem |
Encourage construction of toilets and use them. Protect fish resources that reduce snails along the lakeshore. Water disposal management and proper use of water-avoid bathing along period of time. Supervise/monitor/advice all sanitation problems in the village e.g. waste disposals. Ban of all unsupported fishing gears. |
VHC BVC Community policing
|
As soon as possible |
