I've been writing about everything I've learned about Burkina Faso but just realized I never described my actual program and what I'll be doing there. I do have to work though its not going to be a 9-5 job; I'm considered "on" 7 days a week & only get 2 days off a month though I probably will have days that I'm not actually doing much other than hanging out with community members. Thats still part of my job though since I can learn about the culture and share ideas about improving health while preparing dinner or collecting water with my neighbors.
My official job title is Community Health Development Worker and I will be assigned to rural health center. I have three primary duties listed in my assignment booklet:
1) Assist the head nurse to train and ensure the continued function of a village health center management committee (COGES) including completing a community health needs assessment and plan, conduct, and evaluate community health promotion programs.
2) Assist the head nurse and COGES to establish partnerships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
3) Assist the head nurse to educate and build the capacity of individuals, including community peer educators and students.
The main programatic focus will be on: HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health, malaria, malnutrition, and immunizations. My main interest in public health is reproductive health so I'm excited to learn that I may also work with village health workers and traditional birth attendants.
The health center in my village will serve 5-10 surrounding villages and my job will involve "strenuous physical activities including biking on difficult terrain in hot and rainy weather for outreach activities in difficult to access villages." Sounds like fun!
I think whatever my assignment turns out to actually be -- since it probably will be very different than on paper -- I will gain incredible experience that will benefit me in whatever I end up doing in 2010 and beyond.
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