Building and Strengthening Health and Wellness Activities for the Sustainable Tree Crops Program in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana - Phase I
Project Dates: April 2007 – September 2008
Countries: Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
Funders: World Cocoa Foundation and National Confectioners Association
Implementer: Family Health International
Overview
The Building and Strengthening Health and Wellness Activities for the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana aim to enhance the HIV/AIDS and malaria components of STCP’s Farmer Field School curriculum. The project worked with the communities of Zinzenou, Amélékia, Zamaka and Yakassé Feyassé in the Department of Abengourou, Côte d’Ivoire, as well as the communities of Adobewura and Sribuaso in Atwina Mponua District, Ashanti Region, Ghana and those of Sekyere Krobo and Aboaboso in Mphohor Wassa East District, Western Region, Ghana.
Program Objectives:
- Improve upon HIV/AIDS activities and design malaria education materials that are sustainable, locally appropriate and integrated with STCP in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
- Increase awareness and promote prevention/care activities related to HIV/AIDS and malaria.
- Strengthen partnerships, workplace programs, and local community groups to increase sustainability and improve access to services.
Achievements:
- Training modules on HIV/AIDS and malaria developed. Modules were developed in collaboration with STCP building upon the existing Farmer Field School curriculum.
- 34 trainers and 160 peer educators trained. The trainers learned about the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and malaria as well as the promotion of reproductive health. These trainers then trained volunteer peer educators to work at the community level. In Ghana, 16 trainers and 40 peer educators were trained; in Côte d’Ivoire, 18 trainers and 120 peer educators were trained. Additional work with STCP and the Millennium Village Project trained 30 trainers in Ghana. Trainers included Farmer Field School facilitators, representatives from local NGOs, and members of local anti-AIDS committees.
- 5,814 people learned about HIV/AIDS and malaria. A total of 3,803 people in Ghana and 2,006 people in Côte d’Ivoire learned about HIV/AIDS and malaria from peer educators. Training included proper use of treated bed nets and condoms as well as information on where to access related health services.
- 597 people accessed voluntary counseling and testing centers. A one-time outreach counseling and testing event in Sekyere Krobo and Aboaboso in Ghana provided services to 400 people. A similar event in Zamaka and Zinzenou reached 197 people in Côte d’Ivoire.
Success Story: Sowing the Seeds of Health in Agricultural Communities