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On September 3, 2011, it was our great privilege to formally graduate 29 health builders who have successfully completed their training. Five graduated in blood
pressure. Twenty-four women met the course requirements for blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV screening and education. We were told that none of them have
ever had any ceremony marking any graduation so this event had special significance to them. At their own expense, the graduates arranged to rent their own gowns.
Currently, eighteen of them are doing the full range medical screening and education in their communities and five are doing blood pressure screening. All are employed
by the government funded Community Works Program which is administered by the Izulu Orphan Project. By knocking on doors and going to community events where
the people are, the health builders have picked up more than 200 new cases of HIV and 100 cases of diabetes. About 20% of the adult population has high blood
pressure. The health builders organize in-home health classes where they show health education videos, encourage follow-up in the local government clinics as well as
compliance with the recommendations of the health care providers.
Prior to being hired by the Community Works Program, all health builders were unemployed. Now they have job skills which can be a bridge to help them get other
employment and further education.
pressure. Twenty-four women met the course requirements for blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV screening and education. We were told that none of them have
ever had any ceremony marking any graduation so this event had special significance to them. At their own expense, the graduates arranged to rent their own gowns.
Currently, eighteen of them are doing the full range medical screening and education in their communities and five are doing blood pressure screening. All are employed
by the government funded Community Works Program which is administered by the Izulu Orphan Project. By knocking on doors and going to community events where
the people are, the health builders have picked up more than 200 new cases of HIV and 100 cases of diabetes. About 20% of the adult population has high blood
pressure. The health builders organize in-home health classes where they show health education videos, encourage follow-up in the local government clinics as well as
compliance with the recommendations of the health care providers.
Prior to being hired by the Community Works Program, all health builders were unemployed. Now they have job skills which can be a bridge to help them get other
employment and further education.
Health Builder Graduation Izulu Orphan Projects - September 03, 2011
