Intervention |
SHN programming is continuing and increasing in the very challenging Faryab and Sar-i Pul provinces. At least 40% of school-age children do not attend school, most of the adult population is illiterate (90% of mothers) and the impact areas are enormously varied both geographically and ethnically. Interventions include de-worming (in partnership with the national de-worming program), vitamin A supplementation and the promotion of healthy behaviors. Since such a large portion of school-age children are out of school and the majority of these are girls, targeting all school-age children is essential. However, with such a varied population, this can be a real challenge. In response, Save the Children has elected to use some of the following innovative strategies: illiterate youth linking school and community, health open days broadcasting messages, and changing behaviors throughout the community.
From the outset, a strong emphasis has been placed on monitoring and evaluation, with a goal of using successes to advocate with the government for inclusion of SHN into the national curriculum.
Children are not just recipients of SHN services, but are also active participants in the development, implementation and oversight of this project. Child-focused health education involving peer educators continues to provide new and meaningful health lessons. Children are also members of the SHN committees in each community and help to solve SHN related problems in the schools.
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