The Community Guide to Environmental Health in Kiswahili gaining momentum….

The third and fourth modules of the Guide to Environmental Health in Kiswahili is ready for preliminary use, bringing the total number of modules to 4 in the package which Geofrey Nangai, a journalist with New Habari Corporation has described as “a versatile tool for community facilitation on environmental health issues in Tanzania”.

Module 3 titled Usimamizi wa Taka Ngumu deals with Solid Waste Management, a key unmet need in most of rural and urban areas in Tanzania. Empirical evidence shows there is so much waste mismanagement, resulting in loss of considerable economic benefits, while turning the resource into a health hazard. Through the module, users will learn about :

• A community waste management plan;

• Important steps in safe solid waste management and associated opportunities;

• Meaning of toxic wastes; and

• Dealing with common hazardous wastes.

 Module 4, Ujenzi wa Vyoo na Matumizi Yake, is about building toilets and their effective use. It provides detailed elaboration and illustrations of different sanitation technologies appropriate for different groups such as low income households, women, men, children and those in emergency situations. The common sanitation related diseases in Tanzania and the associated risky behaviours are discussed.

The fifth module in the package, Usimamizi wa Taka na Kemikali zenye Sumu (Management of Toxic Wastes and Chemicals) is being finalized.

The guide produced by the Hesperian Foundation, the publisher of  another important community health handbook , Where There is No Doctor or Mahali Pasipo na Daktari, is strongly recommended for NGOs and other institutions working or intending to work with communities on environmental health issues. As a package of 5 modules, It constitutes a tailored course on pertinent environmental issues for communities in Tanzania.

We would like to collaborate with all Envaya members and other institutions working on environmental health issues in scaling up the application of the Guide nationwide to increase the quality and impact of their activities in communities. Please contact us at cobihesa2003@yahoo.com.