Community Health
Although there is no direct spiritual/Biblical content in this course (unlike all other SEAN materials), indirectly the parallels are obvious with the Biblical concern for the sick and needy and, above all, with the matchless example of the compassion our Lord Jesus Christ showed as he tirelessly sought to alleviate the suffering of others.
This example should be used where appropriate, and of course the trainer needs to pray for God´s guidance as he/she prepares and leads each training session. This course is presented as a reasonable and effective alternative to ignorance of health issues in the community.
It is hoped that the motivation and involvement of children in preventative and ongoing measures will result in an obvious improvement in health, hygiene and safety in the local community as a whole. If the course leads to improvement of the quality of life for disadvantaged people then its objective is fulfilled!
The material is designed to be used in situations where both health education and immediate medical help are limited or non-existent. Although it is not a detailed medical textbook, it should also be effective for initial training in first aid and preventative measures in most circumstances. The success of the material will depend on the understanding and application of people leading the sessions, of course.
The course assumes that the ‘trainer’ will have had NO previous community health training. SEAN has therefore done everything possible to make the sessions simple and self-explanatory. However, there may be occasions when some find parts of the material difficult.
If there is an opportunity for the trainer or students to take a course in first aid or community health led by an authorised health worker then SEAN strongly recommends that this be taken up as a logical development from this basic material. Everything possible should be done to co-operate with the local health worker, who can almost certainly reinforce the methods presented in this course and adapt them to the local situation as appropriate.
Wherever possible the trainer must seek the help and advice of a local health worker, especially in any session about which the trainer may feel uncertain. He/she could probably also provide up-to-date information about the local situation concerning the subject under consideration.