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Children’s health clubs in Haiti – 11 Jan 2011

Helping children cope with the aftermath of the disaster has been an important part of Tearfund’s work.

More than 70 children’s clubs are educating them about good hygiene, a vital consideration in a post-quake environment where water and sanitation infrastructure is badly damaged and the risk of disease is high, as the recent cholera outbreak has shown.

The clubs are teaching children about healthy everyday practices, such as hand washing, and offer a safe but fun environment for learning. They also go some way to helping youngsters find a sense of normality amid the chaos of the earthquake aftermath, as many schools were not spared the devastating impact of the disaster.

Sylvia Fleurant, 34, says her five-year-old son Anderson has benefited hugely from the children’s club in their area: ‘It’s changed him,’ she says. _‘Before I couldn’t do things with him but now he teaches us what to do. I would like to thank Tearfund and their supporters because I know a lot of places haven’t received any help.

Olive Louise-Jean, who runs the club that Anderson attends, said, ‘Awareness is the best thing about this programme because it has changed this community. It’s helping to reduce the cases of cholera.’

Teacher Jean Francoise says the clubs are helping to revive the lives of children: ‘For so many there has been only sadness and we want to bring joy to their lives while teaching them what they need to know.’

‘When I started working with Tearfund I managed their health programme in Darfur, Sudan. Our children’s health clubs halved the malaria and diarrhoea rates and had a dramatic impact on children’s psychological health.’ says Reuben Coulter, Chief Executive of Tearfund Ireland, ‘Helping children cope with disaster and prepare for the future is vital.’

• More about: Haiti, Emergencies
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