My name is Diana Manju, a graduate from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in sociology. I am a cohort 2021, Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN), fellow.
I thank AFROHUN and its partners for the One Health Institute Field Experiential learning, a training that has introduced students to a multidisciplinary approach of detecting and managing One Health challenges. Throughout the training, fellows, are encouraged to go back to their communities and find out the most pressing challenges with the aim of working out realistic and applicable solutions with the community members.
Engaging my community was a journey worth walking. I feel satisfied that I was part of the team that positively changed my community. From that experience, I learnt that though we have a lot to offer to the community, the community is also rich in knowledge that we should tap into. The time I spent interacting with members of Kigunga Village, my knowledge in community engagement and societal construction expanded. This experience also unveiled my communication skills that for long I was not sure of.
I conducted my Field Experiential learning at my home village in Kigunga, Mukono district. At first, I wasn’t sure of how to penetrate the community, however, with the help of our Local Council 1 Chairperson, I was able to undertake a community assessment to understand the village norms and culture and be able to engage with community members on the different problems they were facing.
Through, a door-to-door method of engagement, I noted that excessive dust, pollution, malaria, dysentery, diarrhea, poor waste disposal and poor sanitation were the most common challenges faced by community members.
In a constructive discussion held at LC I offices, community members collectively selected poor waste disposal as the most pressing challenge that needed urgent attention. They were much concerned about the irresponsible disposal of used women sanitary pads and baby diapers that they suspect has led to the increased spread of diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery.
Coming up with solutions
Before we engaged communities, we were advised by supervisors and mentors not to impose solutions on the communities. According to Mr. Dickson Tumuramwe who is my field supervisor, community members will welcome and pay much attention to solutions suggested by them.
During the focus group discussions that we conducted at the Local Council 1 offices, it came out clearly that poor waste disposal is caused by lack of a designated place where village members can dump garbage. I am happy to note that one of the community members voluntarily allocated part of his land for a village dumping site.
The community also agreed that before the garbage is dumped at the site, it should be sorted to separate the organic waste from non-organic. This was done in sprit of decomposing the organic waste for farm manure and processing plastic for recycling.
A committee with LC 1 leadership together with community members was formed. This is responsible for continuous sensitization of the community on proper waste management, as well as creating awareness on the new village dumping site. The committee is also responsible for developing a strategy on community work (Bulungi Bwansi) where members are expected to engage in periodic cleaning of the village.
In addition, with a team of colleagues, I helped the community to draft regulations and guidelines in reference to community cleanliness and proper waste management. I could not do this alone, so I worked hand in hand with environmentalists, veterinaries and lawyers to interpret laws and regulations on waste management, and environmental conservation to the community.
I commend AFROHUN for enabling students to understand and appreciate the contribution of disciplines outside their own. As a humanities student, I had challenges in accepting that I can work on a health-related project. This is also reflected in my hesitation to apply for the fellowship thinking it was designed for scientists especially those working in health.
I thank AFROHUN for the opportunity that allowed me to know my community better and be part of the team that solved their most pressing challenge that has for years been neglected.