Algonquin spreads healthcare

By Amy Saunders

Algonquin's International Education Centre was chosen by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges to assist in a project to teach the women of Goa, India basic health care needs.

The project, called the Rural Health Education Project, was started in 2004 and will continue on until 2010. Algonquin's faculty and students are working in Goa in conjunction with Agnel Technical Education Centre and was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.

"The aim of the project is to work with Agnel to develop a new health education and training curriculum to be delivered to women in rural areas to help them address their health care and needs of family," said Abla Sherif, the director of the International Education Centre.

Algonquin's contribution included the co-ordinator of the television broadcast program as well as several students to assist with the making of manuals and videos for the women of Goa.

Though Goa is slowly developing, there is still a large portion of the area that can't read or write, many of those female. Before the project was even started, two students were sent to Goa to ask the women what they felt they needed the most.

"Basically, we're using our expertise to develop their curriculum in written format and visual so that those who can't read or write can still understand," said Sherif. "Because most of the women can't read or write, most of teachings must be done in a visual way."

Several manuals have already been created, three of those into videos. They consist of information about basic health care practices such as boiling water and sterilizing.

The project is also helping to fight other problems Goa is having difficulty controlling, such as HIV, malaria, and domestic violence.

"The programs address such issues as the eradication of malaria, lowering infant mortality, combating HIV, fighting domestic violence, and increasing gender equality," said Sherif.

Since starting the project, Algonquin has also managed to arrange for work placements at Agnel Technical Education Centre for students in the social worker service program. They will be able to spend six months living at Agnel and doing work placements.

Algonquin has been involved with projects since 1993 and Sherif says they will continue to do so.

"We simply respond to needs," she said.