©InfoSebastian Kolliemene sits on his veranda surrounded by his five children. “I’m the treasurer for the community,” he says. “I also work with the marketing association as assistant to the county market superintendent.”
“Working with the Red Cross helps us with all the issues to do with community welfare,” Sebastian explains. “When they visit they ask us how the community is doing. We explain about the lack of latrines and safe drinking water, and health problems such as the children getting malaria and having to rush them to hospital.
“But there have been changes since the Red Cross talked to people about how to take care of their home and how to unite, work together and care for one another.”
Improving health practices
One of the biggest challenges of the programme is the struggle to influence and change behaviour which is contrary to people’s beliefs and culture.
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Rolland Enders, Liberia Red Cross programme officer, says: “Most people are not used to using a latrine or well, or following basic hygiene practices. It’s important that we encourage people to take on and maintain these health practices.”
The Red Cross has helped form community committees and teams to work together on various projects, including water and sanitation, HIV and AIDS education, health and hygiene and first aid. The teams gather information about general practice in the community on each subject, and how it is changing, and report back to the overall chairman of the committee who liaises with the Red Cross.
Sebastian says: “At the moment we have a small number of people trained in health issues and first aid, but we need more people trained to make sure the work is sustained after the Red Cross leaves.”
Community participation
©InfoNow the conflict is over, the Red Cross' approach is to make sure people and communities are working towards their own development and edging towards self-sufficiency.
Sebastian says: “We are expected to provide the manpower and some local materials. I think this is a good approach as it means that people are more invested in the projects and more likely to take care of them in the future.”
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