Health Volunteers Spread the Word After Floods

By David Snyder

Chameli Begum cuts a striking figure in a royal-blue wrap, her bright eyes framed by the silk draped casually across her head. She is animated and lively, eager and compassionate—exactly the type of person you want to reach others with a message of health.

I met Chameli through Catholic Relief Services, which is working with local partner Caritas Bangladesh to reach thousands of victims affected by flooding in north-central Bangladesh. Flooding is nothing new for the people here in Sirajgang district, which floods annually when rivers in neighboring India inundate the low-lying area. But 2007 saw floods more disastrous than most. Homes were destroyed and precious wells were damaged or contaminated by floodwater.

Recognizing the many health hazards that existed in the aftermath, CRS initiated a large-scale water, sanitation and hygiene program in Sirajgang. In all, CRS repaired 432 wells, and drilled another 324 in areas where water was no longer readily available. In addition, the agency provided 2,646 household latrines, and another 10 community latrines. When CRS and Caritas turned their attention to teaching people about hygiene, Chameli Begum was among the first volunteers.

As a Community Action Plan (CAP) group member, Chameli was trained by CRS and Caritas Bangladesh in a range of local health issues, from water purity and latrine use to the basics of washing with soap before preparing meals. To illustrate her lessons, Chameli also received small charts and pictures, which she took home to her village of South Shempur.

"There is a flip chart I use when I visit houses," Chameli says. "I teach them how to wash, how to use latrines, or if there is a scarcity of [clean] water, how to purify drinking water."

Each month, Chameli receives further training through Caritas. She then teaches a lesson to the 30-member CAP group, who in turn pass it on to people in their areas of the community, spreading the message quickly among the 800 families that live here. After each lesson, Chameli says she follows up to make sure the locals understand.

"After the training I go visit the houses to make sure everyone is applying the lesson," Chameli says.

Though the training started only recently, Chameli says she has already seen positive results. Most people in these communities have had little or no training in even basic hygiene practices, in part because villages are isolated by seasonal flooding for as many as six months a year. Word of the CAP trainings has gotten out.

"There have been huge changes in this area," Chameli says. "When [people] learn there is a CAP meeting, everybody comes—even by boat."

David Snyder is a photojournalist who has traveled to more than 30 countries with CRS.