Arnold Mabootu, the dedicated Chairperson of the Kalamba Outreach/Zone post in Moomba ward, has embarked on a remarkable journey of success and community development together with his committee. Through his unwavering commitment and the support of On Call Africa (OCA), Arnold has not only improved the lives of his community members but has also set an inspiring example for others to follow.
Arnold’s adventure began when he was appointed Chairperson of his community’s Neighbourhood Health Committee (NHC). He had been a chairperson for three years with no prior training, so the NHC training was necessary. The training helped Arnold appreciate the importance of his responsibility, and he actively embraced possibilities for personal growth and development. OCA, in partnership with other partners, provided Arnold with extensive training in a variety of areas, including simple business management, solar system operations and maintenance, and hygiene behavioural change (HBC).
These workshops weren’t just another set of training sessions; they were the catalysts for transformative change in Moomba ward. Arnold and his fellow community members welcomed these workshops with open arms, seeing them as a chance to make a real difference in their lives.
Arnold, with enthusiasm and gratitude, stated, “I appreciate the trainings brought by OCA for they have helped us learn how to prevent and stop diseases that cause diarrhoea, which are caused by the unsafe water we drink that is not treated to kill worms and bacteria. These workshops have brought us a lot of awareness on various topics, and I want to say thank you to On Call Africa and the community for bringing these workshops to us.”
The impact of these workshops extended far beyond Arnold’s expectations. They instilled a newfound sense of responsibility and unity among community members. Arnold continued, “This is a big win for the community, in that the trainings will help us in our community sanitation and cleanliness. We will find that we will have fewer deaths and diseases. The trainings have helped us take matters into our own hands and make sure we are all obligated to ensure our surroundings are clean, hold each other accountable, and work together as a team.”
In addition to the invaluable knowledge gained from the workshops, OCA’s support extended to providing solar power for their facility. This addition not only improved healthcare services but also created a conducive environment for healthcare personnel to provide essential care.
Arnold Mabootu’s journey from a community leader to a catalyst for positive change is a testament to the power of education and collaboration. His story serves as an inspiration to communities everywhere, reminding us of all that with determination, knowledge, and unity, we can transform our surroundings and create a better future for ourselves and generations to come.
As Arnold continues to lead the way in Moomba ward which is the same for all the 82 members trained on the project, his success story shines as a beacon of hope and possibility for communities around the world.
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