Economic Development is the single most important factor in reducing / eradicating Malaria and similar diseases.
The Healthy Vine Trust is deeply committed to the economic and social development of the communities since this is the key to the sustainability of its programme. It is essential that the local people become educated not only in the academic sense, but also in health and sanitation practice and money generating projects. Only then can they take ownership of the programme and provide the inner stimulus for exponential growth.
Education
The Healthy Vine Trust has been instrumental in the building and equipping of the Sekamuli School. This school started out with 2 pupils at the elementary level and now has over 250 pupils catering up to secondary level. Expansion plans include a boys and a girls dormitory so that pupils can attend from a further distance.
Together with the village community, The Healthy Vine Trust is assisting in establishing a primary school at Mputte Village, including proper toilet and washing facilities. Expansion plans include the building of two more classrooms.
Training of adults in various aspects of The Healthy Vine Trust’s work and projects is a vital element of its programme. Workshops have been held to educate “Traditional Birth Assistants” in modern methods of midwifery procedures. This will be an on-going programme.
Health and Sanitation
Health and Sanitation is an integral part of any Model Home. The “Model Home” initiative is fundamental to the Healthy Vine Trust programme for combating diseases including Malaria. In order to qualify for receiving Mosquito nets, a family has to upgrade its home to meet certain basic minimum health standards including a proper latrine that does not smell or have lots of flies, hand washing facilities next to the latrine, a kitchen with a clay oven and chimney, utensil rack, two rubbish pits – one organic and one non-organic, and a screened bathing area with drainage to prevent water residue where mosquitos and worms can breed. Inspections are carried out at regular intervals.
Over 600 mosquito nets have been handed out to families meeting the Model Home criteria in 2009. A further 1,000 will be handed out in 2010/2011.
The Health Centre has been provided with a Solar Fridge – for drug storage and has been partially equipped with furniture and instruments to assist in its day to day running. The Healthy Vine Trust will extend its coverage of the Health Centre to include the Maternity Wing and Laboratory when they have been constructed.
Agricultural Projects
In co-operation with a local Agricultural NGO, who provide the training, The Healthy Vine Trust has supported the following co-operative agricultural projects :