The joys of a developing world! There are lots of problems
all around the world. And lots of ideas from creative minded people to find
solutions! However, in the process of finding the right solution sometimes
people have to continue to suffer :/
I would like to add that these are my personal thought s and
experiences. This has no reflection of Peace Corps protocols or other American
views on the subject.
A big problem in Rwanda used to be malaria. We hear about a
random case or two in America during the mosquito season but imagine it being a
normal everyday thing you, your friends and family suffer from and maybe even
die from. You might have noticed I said, “used to be” a problem, that’s because
the Rwandan government has done an excellent job in trying to end malaria in
Rwanda!
A few years back the Rwandan government sent out a protocol
that every two members in a household should be issued a mosquito net to sleep
under. You might think that sounds super easy and an awesome way to save you
and your family’s lives. However, this is still difficult for Rwandans to
understand. It has lowered the mortality rate in a huge way for those that have
understood and practice it on a regular basis. And slowly it is getting better!
But many Rwandans have a few hold ups as to why they don’t practice this simple
protocol.
1-They don’t understand that everyone in the
household means everyone!! Not just the children or even just the baby but
everyone. That includes the house help and parents!
2-They might find excuses like it’s too hot, it’s
itchy, it touches me and keeps me awake, it smells funny, the chemicals are bad
for me and this list could go on and on and on. I sleep under a net every night
and have no problems at all!!
3-They get malaria all the time and don’t see a
problem because they have not died. But if a mosquito bites a person with
malaria and then bites a baby the baby has a much higher risk of not living
from the malaria like the grown adult.
4-They clear the bushes around their house so they
don’t need to sleep under the net. Just as an FYI, bushes have nothing to do
with mosquitoes or malaria. Clear the standing water and that will help but not
solve the problem.
5-They have nets over the windows so no mosquitoes
can get in. That’s great! It will lower the risk while you are awake and in
your home. But it’s not 100%.
6-They don’t hear any when they are going to
sleep. The anopheles mosquito, that caries malaria, does not make any sound and
only comes out in the dark. You never know they are there till it’s too late.
In general, human beings are really good at finding excuses!
I do it on a daily basis for lots of things :/ Silly, but true!! Trying to work
on it J
Rwanda is close to extinguishing malaria!! Super exciting!!
I will continue to educate my fellow humans living on the earth and pray that
they will try to use a simple life saving tool like a mosquito net!!
Those are some of my
random thoughts!! I hope you enjoyed!!
