This last week EQUIP celebrated the graduation of over ninety Community Health Ambassadors in four different ceremonies.The Community Health Ambassadors (or CHA's) have always been at the core of the work here. They are volunteers that go through a fifteen month long training program, attending workshops and trainings. They learn about good hygiene practices and simple ways to prevent disease. Most importantly, they learn how to impart this knowledge back to their communities through health talks and powerful dramas in their local dialects. We have now trained over 6000 CHA's and that number keeps growing.
Three of the graduations were in Nimba County, in the towns of Garplay, Karnplay, and Bonlay. The fourth occured in Garmu, in Bong County. All four events were filled with festivities. The graduates performed dramas and songs highlighting simple ways to prevent diseases and speaking out against harmful cultural beliefs. Many local officials and chiefs were there to accept the CHA graduates in their new role as role models and ambassadors of preventive health care.
CHA graduates in Bonlay march and sing on their way to the ceremony.
Two CHA graduates perform a drama while an audience of school children look on.
The new CHA graduates of Garplay District in Nimba.
