Don't let the Mozzies Bite

Posted on Dec 22, 2016
 
So you always wanted to visit Timor, well RAM Volunteer trips to Timor are now being planned!
 
We have just received the following information about the planning of several team trips to assist the Rotary Club of Dili Lafaek in implementing a “Healthy Villages” project in Timor Leste in April 2017 - including the well known "Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM)" program. Recently the Dili Lafeak Rotary Club has commenced working with a village in Dili and another in Liquica so they are developing some practical experience.
 
Rtn David Pearson, National Manager, Rotarians Against Malaria, writes:

"RAM is also supporting the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal bed nets in the Oecusse enclave (the bit of Timor Leste that is surrounded by Indonesia’s Nusa Tengrra Timor province) and we have been invited to assist with volunteers on this project which is scheduled to take place in January and February 2017.

This is fairly late notice and if there is any interest in participating then we will need to find a Team Leader with some Timor experience; however if any of you are interested in this possibility please get back to me and we will see what can be arranged."
 
David can be contacted on Ph/Fax 61 2 67792616, sugarloaf@sugarloafne.com
 
David advised that the bednet distribution is a routine replacement of old bednets but it is somewhat complicated by the remote location. The process is that the National Malaria Control Program staff (NMCP), working with census records, contact the towns and villages and select and train “local volunteers” to contact each household and up-date the census.
The NMCP staff then distribute chits for collection of the required number of nets to each house and then a distribution event is organised where the people gather for an information session on malaria prevention and bednet care and maintenance, before redeeming the allocated nets on presentation and cross checking of the chits.
 
David concludes with this hope: "I hope that we will also be able to have the teams that will visit in April attend and observe a net distribution whilst they are in country."
 
So there you have it a great way to serve humanity! Get on the phone to Dave and let him know if you are interested.