Because of Rihanata

Rihanata is a young teenaged girl in my village
who had potential. Last year at the lycee/college
(middle school) there was a theater group and girl's
soccer team.She was one of the motivated

young girls who participated in both.

One day while at the maternity building I saw
Rihanata waiting in line for a CPN or pre-natal
consultation. She had become pregnant and
my heart just sank.

The first 4 months in site is usually a lot of talking
and trying to determine what project opportunities
may exist. We at the health clinic were talking
about sex-ed education with the emphasis of
providing information that may help to prevent
teenage pregnancy. At that point it was just the
usual talk with no concrete action in sight.

But after seeing Rihanata I thought … sorry …
forget the talk and let's get to action before another
'Rihanata' arrived for a CPN.

So, starting with the mid-wife at the clinic we
discussed the need to mobilize asap and begin
a project of sex-ed sensibilizations. She agreed
and the next step was to approach the school director.
He definitely agreed that action had to be taken.
So, it was just a matter of organizing the material
that would be presented.

If one know's the trials of scheduling activities
in rural villages, they could appreciate the challenges
of just simply beginning. It was back and forth
between the school and the maternity a few times
till we were able to invite the first group of girls
to the maternity building.

During a hands on training in Ouagadougou
concerning sex-ed, one aspect I was impressed with
dividing the girls from the boys. This definitely
allowed the girls to open up without the boys
usually trying to dominate the session.

Our first session was that of about 35 girls from
the 4ieme who attended the optional session.and
As of now here in Burkina speaking about sex is
kind of a sensitive issue. For that, at the beginning
of the activity the girls were shy but after about
15 minutes they were able to begin to speak and
ask questions openly.

I was very fortunate to had been left with a
photocopied manual called ' Le Livre d'images
de la Naissance' by the volunteer whom I replaced.
In contained all the information (in French) that
we needed to share with the students.

We spoke of the ABC's of becoming pregnant such
as ovulation, spermatozoides and menstrual cycles.
We explained how it all fits in to becoming and preventing
pregnancy. We talked about STD's and had a condom
demonstration. The mid-wife explained family
planning and methods of protection.

At the end it was open to all questions regarding our
topics and also any others the girls may have had
regarding their menstrual cycles ... etc.

The boys session was held at the school with a male
teacher and I working as a team.

All sessions have been held with Burkinabe in leading
roles. I have found that even if I would have perfect
language, the locals know better how to get the point
across. My place is as kind of an emcee and condom
demonstration guy.

As always is it hasn't been without it's challenges.
Change of mid-wives, school vacations and exams
are just a few of the hurdles that were faced. In the
end it has taken 11 months to speak with 390 students
with about another 75 to go.

Success can be evaluated in many ways. Some are
obvious and others are subtle. In our case, we were
doing well with not one of the girls becoming pregnant
until 2 weeks ago. Now the count is one and it was
inevitable and reluctantly expected. Our goal of 100%
non pregnant students was probably naïve.

But there are phases of success to note. There have
been girls coming to the maternity for family planning.
Our clinic's pharmacy has been selling more condoms.
Another success was in having the Burkinabe enthused
and participating magnificently in the sessions.

Truly it is all about saving the futures of the young girls.
Here with a baby, it is virtually a 100% sure that they
will have to leave school. 

So we continue.

Another Saturday night

Yup, another Saturday night in the village with

no electricity. It means early crash times and 

shortwave radio (BBC) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on 

weekends. But rumor has it that in 10 days they

should be arriving to start to bring power lines in. 

Got ta see it.

School is on a 2 week break so work is slow but

we did have one girl from our sex-ed sensibilizations

fall pregnant. No more 100% that we can boast about

rate but still less than before.

It has been hot here with 100 degree temps and 

cruising around on the bicycle is a bit of a challenge

in regards to staying hydrated. With the running

t-shirts I brought from the States it makes it a little

tricky. The shirts wick off the sweat and the sun and

hot air dries it virtually immediately. Which makes

you think that you're not sweating. Had a mild

case of de-hydration last hot season but am ready

due to experience for this hot season.

We are continuing to sing the Burkina national

anthem twice a day when raising and lowering 

the flag. As far as anyone knows we are the only

health clinic doing it. It is actually fun with a whole

bunch of kids getting excited when it's drapeau (flag)

time. It makes for a nice beginning and end of the 

day. 

We have 8 stagaires (trainees) from the health schools

and tomorrow 4 will finish their two month field 

training. They participated in one of our sex-ed 

sessions and they added to it's quality. They were

also there for every singing of the national anthem.

They were troopers and should do well in their 

future endeavors.

Trash is a problem here and I've decided to begin

selling the idea of cleaning up. I've been cleaning 

the health clinic and it and the primary school 

are the cleanest areas in the village. I'm not expecting

any results or changes but we've begun to have

small conversations here and there ... a start.

With eight months or so left I am trying to do only

what I feel can be effective within the time. The 

biggest problem with the garbage is the awareness.

I believe they just don't actually see it ... so that's

the new challenge. How to bring it 'in sight'  

without being pushy or being a pain. 

Got the rest this Saturday night to think about it.