Bike Tour EAST!
DAY ONE - KOUPELA
Bike tour east started in the lovely ville of Koupela at volunteer Mandy Kruse's site. It was a busy market day so volunteers seized the opportunity by handing out fliers about the cause and prevention of malaria, one of the biggest health problems in Burkina Faso. They reached out to 120 people and had a blast!
Volunteers David S., Jessica and Calder talk to people in the market about malaria. |
DAY TWO - DIALGAYE
The next day volunteers woke up bright and early to bike the 30 kilometers to volunteer David Zamkov's site. They also took adavantage of market day and taught 75 people how to make liquid soap. They related this wonderful income generating activity to gender and development by providing a great idea for a woman's group.
Volunteers David Z and Brittany lead the soap making process. |
Volunteers on their way to Dialgaye |
DAY THREE - ZIGLA KOUPELE
On a roll with hitting all the market days, volunteers left for Zigla Koupele, another 40 kilometers away. Feeling theatrical after all the endorphin, 8 volunteers played their hearts out in a skit discussing HIV/AIDS. In it, a couple (a pregnant woman and her man) took an HIV test at the maternity and attended education classes in village, talking about the transmission and prevention of HIV. 61 people gave a standing ovation.
DAY FOUR - KOMTOYGA
Bike tour experts at this point, volunteers took it easy the following day by waking up a little later and biking the short 12 km to volunteer Natalie's site at Komtoyga. But having such a short bike ride didn't mean the volunteers begin to slack off when it came to work. In addition to speaking to people about gender roles and girls' education, 9 volunteers discussed hygiene with 34 people. They explained the importance of proper hand washing and how people can get sick from not washing their hands. They then sweat it out by installing 4 handwashing stations, also known as the "Tippy Tap," at different restaurants in the market place.
Bike tour experts at this point, volunteers took it easy the following day by waking up a little later and biking the short 12 km to volunteer Natalie's site at Komtoyga. But having such a short bike ride didn't mean the volunteers begin to slack off when it came to work. In addition to speaking to people about gender roles and girls' education, 9 volunteers discussed hygiene with 34 people. They explained the importance of proper hand washing and how people can get sick from not washing their hands. They then sweat it out by installing 4 handwashing stations, also known as the "Tippy Tap," at different restaurants in the market place.
DAY FIVE - GUIBA
Motivated from all the clean hands at the previous site, volunteers left bright at early and sped the 75 km to Kristine's site at Guiba. Arriving in the early afternoon, wide-eyed and bushy tailed after completing the longest day of bike tour, volunteers kept the ball rolling and led a discussion in the market about Ebola. The scary disease has yet to reach Burkina Faso but as knowledge is power, 5 volunteers talked with 48 people about Ebola, how it is transmitted, what to do if you see signs and how people can prevent transmission. After a successful tour and big thanks going out to the driver Moussa, volunteers spent the rest of the time in a zombie-like state.
All smiles as volunteers Brittany, Jessica, Christina and Maria reach their final destination. |
Thanks Moussa! |