Community Health Evangelism

The Community Health Evangelism (CHE) initiative has made significant strides over the past year, demonstrating a commitment to improving health and well-being in South Sudan through community-driven engagement and education.

In November 2022, we initiated the Training of Trainers workshop in Nairobi, a foundational step aimed at equipping local leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement CHE strategies effectively. This training successfully equipped 15 dedicated trainers, who subsequently returned to Juba to lead efforts aimed at addressing critical health and social issues within their communities. A pivotal development for the CHE program was the establishment of the CHE Coordination Office in Juba, which received generous support from the Juba Diocese in the form of office space. Furthermore, the partnership with Samaritan’s Purse Juba proved invaluable as it provided essential office materials, including printers and chairs, thereby enhancing our operational capacity.

As a result of these foundational efforts and with support from Samaritan Purse (SP) Canada and Medical Ambassadors International (MAI), several CHE projects have been initiated across various communities, namely; Terekeka, Gudele 2, Joppa, Gumbo, Gudele West Community, and the Mother’s Union, as well as initiatives focused on child health (Children CHE). Through these projects, we have successfully trained 204 Community Health Educators (CHEs) and established five CHE committees, creating a robust network for health advocacy and education.Our outreach efforts have made a meaningful impact, effectively reaching the Gospel to 2,440 individuals and establishing 488 healthy homes within the communities we serve. Notably, our environmental initiatives have also flourished, with the planting of 304 trees, contributing to both ecological sustainability and community wellness.This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these activities, assess their impact, and outline future directions for our work in promoting health and hope within South Sudanese communities.

The CHE program’s structure allows for effective monitoring and collaboration among trainers, committees, and CHEs. Training sessions have expanded into local churches and communities, with a growing interest in the program. The report highlights ongoing training efforts and the positive reception of the CHE program among participating churches and communities.

Overall, this year CHE report provides a comprehensive overview of the accomplishments, and impacts, and sets the direction for future initiatives aimed at enhancing health and community well-being while upholding our Christian values in South Sudan.

PROGRAM OVERVIW IN SOUTH SUDAN

The CHE program has a model that enables easy monitoring and follow up mechanism. Organization structure of CHE is: Trainers, Committee and the CHEs (Community Health Evangelists). The three group of people work together as one body for a successful CHE program. Therefore, in September 2022, 44 people participated in Training of Trainers 1 (TOT1). This was the first of its kind South Sudan. Later, 15 from the 44 were selected to attend TOT2 in Nairobi, Kenya. These selected trainers were the people who met the selection criterion (must have done baselines survey, seed project and healthy home). These trainers upon completion of their Internship were tasked with the mandate to establish the remaining structures of the CHE program in South Sudan.

To initiate CHE program in the Country, the trainers establish a coordination office whose role is to coordinate the CHE activities and trainings of committees and CHEs within the local churches and communities. The CHE trainers have embarked on training of local churches and community health workers. Currently, there CHE program being initiated in St. Mary Parish and St. Zakayo in Jopa, Terekeka, Truth and Life Ministry and Tolien group in Gudele 2, Gumbo Primary Health Care Center and Pentecostal Church of South Sudan. In line with the above, the Church program is one of the programs that much appreciated by the areas we have so far trained. The program is growing and more churches are picking interest in adapting it as part of the ministry to wholistically transform their church and the community around them.

CHE GOALS IN 2025

This year, we intend to: A. Train 8 CHE committees of 5 members each, B. Train 250 CHEs, C. Have 1,000 Healthy Homes: A healthy home is defined as a home with at least 10 of the below items: 1. Family devotion, 2. Cleanliness and sanitation (in and around the house) 3. Each member sleeps under a mosquito net 4. Dish rack (to dry utensils) 5. Rubbish pit and compost pit 6. Kitchen garden 7. Planted at least 2 fruit trees at home 8. All children and members are vaccinated against all diseases that have vaccines. 9. Good relationship with neighbors 10. Family members Participate in community events 11. No stagnant water around the home 12. Safe drinking water 13. Good nutrition at home. 14. All children go to school 15. Good house structure 16. Has a Small business that generates money for the family. D. Have 250 children reached on CHE. E. Have 50 PWDS taught on CHE. F. Form 5 Discipleship Groups. G. 50 seed projects done by participants. H. Have New converts to Christianity. I. Self-reliance among the CHE participants. At least each person trained on CHE can satisfy his or her basic needs. J. Have 300 trees planted and maintained by Children CHEs.

TARGET AREAS

We intend to introduce CHE to all communities in South Sudan (10 states and 3 administrative areas). However, we will focus on central Equatoria State, Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei this year and extend to the other states as the program stabilizes in the below-selected areas: Juba: Joppa, Lokwilili, Jebel Timan, Kopuri, Rajaf,/Gumbo/Gondokoro/Nakitun/moroyok/Kudarata Lainya, Rokon Terekeka Magwi

For more information about CHE activities, download CHE Annual Report here