After a random late night thought, I began to discuss my idea with counterparts to see what their opinions were about it. The event idea was to somehow uniquely engage primary school students and them ultimately benefiting with an increase of knowledge. The solution... HAVE THEM COMPETE! There are four major NCD's that are prevalent in all six districts of Belize: Cardiovascular, Chronic Respiratory, Cancers, and Diabetes. Each of the four upper level classes that were selected to participate, were assigned one of the four major NCD's. Included in their assignment, was to develop a creative presentation as a class to cover sub-topics for their assigned NCD such as: prevention, risk factors, danger/warning signs, and treatment.
For a solid month, I was in and out of each class during their scheduled health class periods to assist them in any way possible. After each class had completed their beautiful posters and their creative presentations they were then judged on who had the most correct information, best public speaking, most creativity, presentation management and organization. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention what the prize was for the winning class- A Field Trip to the Belize Zoo!! It was time for the big day and with the collaboration between myself and local counterparts, this health educational event was successfully planned and implemented at the village primary school with the help of some fellow Belize Peace Corps Volunteers.
This event included the participation and patience of the entire school, which includes seventeen classes (450 students). A schedule was prepared in advance, that included all of the classes to rotate to each of the four student led classroom presentations and also four educational games/activities led by Peace Corps Volunteers that correspond to each of the four major NCD's that had been targeted. After the long day of presentations and games in the 100 degrees Belize heat, a class winner was announced for best overall presentation.. CARDIOVASCULAR!
I find this to be quite ironic since I had mentioned earlier that Cardiovascular Diseases are ranked the highest for leading causes for hospitalizations in the country of Belize. My outlook on that, is with it being ranked the highest in the country, the assigned class had done their absolute best to allow for the information and presentation to be as transparent as possible for their fellow schoolmates to comprehend. Though the event went amazingly as planned, the true results of this event are not noticeable until these children have reached adulthood and decide what type lifestyles they want to adapt. The children of this country and of this world are the future of everything, even including health statistics.
In short, education IS the major key to change.
