Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Health Crusade Introduction

Health seminars begin tomorrow. Patience and perseverance may indeed finally pay off. We have seven villages scheduled over the next 3 weeks with 3 different groups of nurses. Our mission is to create awareness and provide suggestions for the prevention of diabetes and hypertension. We want to convey the message that your weight has a great impact on your health as the main culprit of these diseases is obesity. So in a nutshell, shed the pounds! Easier said than done but nevertheless, it still needs to be said. Our program includes a comedy skit put on by the Peace Corps volunteers, an informational session explaining the relationship between weight and health, group discussions for suggestions to living healthier, blood sugar/blood pressure screenings, and a weight loss contest to take place over the following 8 weeks. The testing equipment was either donated or purchased with funds provided by some wonderful people from the USA. THANK YOU! Especially to former Samoa PC volunteers Niko and Laura and Lincoln County Kansas Pharmacist Aron McReynolds.

My name is Simi and I'll be taking you through this blogging adventure. Keep in tune over the next two weeks for more updates and pictures on the seminars. Last night I took the pink bus to Asau because it's close to the hospital in Sataua. I stayed at another volunteer's place and ate tuna sandwiches and baked beans. Delicious! Earlier today I had breakfast at Vai-o-moana. Currently I'm waiting to meet with the nurse team to review the plan for tomorrow. Unfortunately it's pregnant lady day and the nurses are swamped.

The rest of the team, Sieni, Leni, Peni, and Elisa are waiting for the bus in Salelologa. Semisi is building fish tanks in his village.

Let me first introduce our team.

Sieni













Semisi



















Peni


Leni


Elisa


Simi



And the man who inspired us to continue the work he started.

Niko

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