Health in Godoholo
March 18, 2010
By Mayuri Ghosh
The next morning started with the rooster’s crow acting as an alarm. We started the day doing a focus group interview with women; we met them at the polyclinic where they had come for various check-ups. Some of the women were pregnant. The women were pretty well-informed about health issues – prevention and cure. However, they did mention the challenges faced if they had to commute to Dwitabiki or the city for any health-related issues. There was not major ailment in the village, and the women were aware of family-planning and HIV/AIDS. For their children, they were more than willing to embrace computer education and were themselves eager to learn computers. They felt it would help the village.
I also met one of the village administrators, the “Bayo”, who was the link between the villagers and the government. Discussed adminstrative structures, issues in the village and infrastucture with him. Also walked around the village looking at the “beach” where men and women were working, saw the Digicell mast at one side of the beach, watched an old man weaving a basket, and also visited the local stores or “winkis”.
The fun part of the interviews was that of the 6th grade school children. They were a naughty lot! All had their own cellphones and knew how to use it for calling, text messaging, downloading music and playing games. They were eager to go to the city for their secondary education, where they hoped they could also find part-time work, similar to their siblings at the casino and restaurants. The kids had aspirations of becoming President and judges! Felt wonderful! Also interviewed the teachers of the school, who hoped that computer education would come into the village – fast…
Late in the afternoon I left Godoholo for Dwitabiki by boat. Had an adventure when we (boatman and me) had to stop at an island as a heavy storm hit us on the river! Anyway, reached Dwitabiki safely, where I was updated by Michael, PCV.
