In the rural villages of the Dugda District (Ethiopia) there are no health services. The sick must travel in a cart pulled by mules or horses to Meki, the capital of the district, located 15 miles away. Now, however, in the towns of Grissa y Meja Lalu, the 451 children of the “Mary Catholic School” and the “School of the Holy Spirit” can count on primary care and health education.
Indeed, in these two schools a classroom has been renovated by the Community of Saint Paul in order to conduct medical exams, monitor nutritional status and deworm all of the children twice per year, as well as treat them when they are sick. Furthermore, health education classes have been initiated as part of the academic load of the children. These classes are intended to teach the children about healthy habits available to them so that they will become sick less often. Educating children about basic hygiene and sanitation can significantly reduce water borne illnesses as well as malnutrition.
