The Smile Series for Karmo was an extended project that lasted three months, kicking off on 29th May 2017. Our goal was to take health care, food items and vocational skill training to the youths of the community, delivered in two phases: Phase 1 was the charity and health drive, and Phase 2 was centred on vocational skills training.
An interactive session with residents revealed concerns ranging from poor sanitation and lack of proper waste disposal, to lack of adequate water supply causing diarrhoea, as well as issues around poor healthcare centres and infestations of malaria and ringworm. During one visit, our medical team presented a drama on the importance of regular handwashing and misconceptions about diarrhoea; Dr Peace gave a health talk on diarrhoea, handwashing, and oral rehydration solution (ORS) and its Salt Sugar Solution alternative, which was distributed to everyone present. The KWGF crew also gave talks on menstrual hygiene to women and girls, facilitated by Mrs Ngozi, a certified nurse, while carrying out blood pressure checks for everyone present.
Phase 2 kicked off on 10th June 2017, focused on vocational skills. We were privileged to have Mr Bruno Oiakhinan, CEO of Bruno Place, share his entrepreneurial journey from banking to hair styling and expanding into several salon branches, and Mr Emeka teach a skill session on making home-made liquid soap — skills that went on to spark several small-scale businesses in the community.
Objectives
- Take health care, food items and vocational skill training to the youths of Karmo
- Understand the community's needs through interactive sessions with residents
Achievements
- Delivered a three-month, two-phase project starting 29 May 2017
- Gave health talks on diarrhoea and handwashing, distributed ORS to everyone present, and carried out blood pressure checks
- Ran menstrual hygiene talks for women and girls led by a certified nurse
- Vocational sessions on liquid soap-making and entrepreneurship sparked several small-scale businesses