Teaching Basic Health Principles

On even years, the Imani Project conducts medical clinics in the villages. As part of our medical outreach, we teach classes on first aid, diarrheal disease, tuberculosis prevention, and AIDS prevention. With the help of MANY volunteers and donations in the United States, we bring materials to assemble 750 health kits to distribute to the village families.

We hold medical clinics for two days at each village. Our first morning is spent teaching and distributing health kits. We teach classes that cover:

  • Basic first aid. We discuss the contents of the health kit and how them to treat cuts, burns, splinters, and insect bites.
  • The prevention and treatment of diarrheal disease. We discuss the causes of diarrheal disease (usually caused by drinking contaminated water), how to make drinking water safe, and the risks of dehydration to children. We teach how to use the oral rehydration solution (ORS) spoon to create a salt/sugar drink to prevent dehydration, and the use of zinc tablets to delay the recurrence of diarrhea.
  • The prevention of tuberculosis (TB)
  • The prevention of HIV/AIDS

Did you know?

  • Dehydration due to diarrheal disease is the number one killer of children in Africa
  • 1 in 3 people in Africa have TB
  • TB is the leading cause of death of people with AIDS in Africa

What’s in a Health Kit?

  • 30 assorted Band-Aids
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
  • Tweezers
  • Cotton swabs
  • Syringe without needle
  • Alcohol swabs
  • Splinter remover
  • Soap
  • Washcloth
  • Condoms
  • Oral Rehydration Solution spoon
  • Zinc tablets
  • First aid booklet
  • Diarrheal disease treatment booklet
  • TB prevention booklet
  • Cloth drawstring bag