The school deworming project has been one of the most successful and far-reaching projects that has been conducted by RC Kilifi with support from RC Ashylum. Implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Public Sanitation and the Ministry of Education in Kilifi, the project targets the provision of deworming tablets to primary school going children in Ganze and Vitengeni. The first phase of the project kicked off in June 2006, has been running ever since, and is expected to last till 2014 after receiving an extension of the initial grant.
In the last 5 years, the four partners have successfully conducted 6 rounds of deworming in all primary school going children in Vitengeni and Ganze. An impact assessment study was carried out in Nivember 2010 and the following achievements were noted:
- the prevalence of S. haematobium, dropped from 37.9% to less than 1%. This parasite causes bilharzia, a chronic illness that can damage internal organs, and in children specifically, impair growth and cognitive development.
- 3.6% of the children have either E. coli and T. trichiura, down from 40%. These microbes are occasionally responsible for food poisoning
- There was an improvement in the knowledge of personal hygiene across all ages of the children
The teachers, who undergo a brief training on drug distribution, were found to be quite effective and had minimal supervision from health workers. To cap all these achievements, the Club got a grant period extension from Rotary International and additional funds to incorporate school sanitation projects which will involve construction of toilet blocks in select schools. Two schools have already been identified in the pilot project, and the toilet blocks will follow a similar model to those constructed through the Club at Ngamani Primary School. The partners also expect to conduct another round of deworming in October 2011, targeting the schools in Ganze and Vitengeni.
Despite these humble efforts, with financial support from the Rotary Club of Ashylum and Rotary International, there is an uncertainty of the continuity of the project beyond Rotary Sponsorship, especially to other deserving areas in the district and beyond. However, step by step, and the dedication of the Rotarians in the spirit of “Service above Self” will assist to realise their goal of a worm free environment for school children.
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