Ace Africa have been working in remote rural areas of Longido District to raise awareness on relevant health issues that affect these communities including malaria, HIV, maternal health and many more and where to access vital health services. Through engaging a local theatre group Ace developed a drama script on family health and conducted 18 outreach drama events reaching 4,330 community members (2,680 female/ 1,650 male) with family health information. Also present were certified health practitioners who explained where and how to access the relevant services.
Health drama outreach in Orbomba Ward
On March 8th 2024, Ace Africa attended an International Women’s Day event and conducted a further drama event focused on access to health services with 600 (460 female, 140 male) community members, children and representatives from other organisations.
Ace provided training to 30 women from Longido District Council with the aim that these women would develop positive health seeking behaviors and develop skills on how to disseminate these health seeking behaviors with the wider community. The training covered how to address cultural barriers and the stigma associated with Maasai health behaviors, as well as pre and post-natal services.
Following the health training the same 30 women were also trained in Village Community Banking (VICOBA). The training equipped beneficiaries with the necessary basic business skills to establish a community group and manage their savings and lending schemes through the VICOBA model.
Family health training for Enyorata Group
In VICOBA training, a group learns the ins and outs of forming a VICOBA group, including administrative requirements, leadership, membership obligations, record keeping and basic business skills, along with receiving initial start-up capital to help the group to begin fully functioning. Active individual involvement is also key for a group member to get the most benefit out of the savings and lending scheme offered by VICOBA.