Naigahelp
| Naigahelp - Organization for Africa Aid | |
|---|---|
| purpose | Medical and social aid in West Africa |
| Chair: | Tonio Schaffert, Konstantin Wagner |
| Establishment date: | June 2011 |
| Seat : | Freiburg in Breisgau |
| Website: | http://www.naigahelp.org |
The Naigahelp - Organization for Africa Aid (pronounced nai-dscha-help ) is a medical aid organization that is primarily involved in establishing basic care in West Africa .
The organization developed into a source of supply for the South West region around the city of Buea in Cameroon .
History of origin
prehistory
The organization emerged from a loose association of schoolchildren and students who wanted to campaign for the elimination of grievances in developing countries. Small donation campaigns and information events for other aid organizations were intended to promote projects such as child sponsorship and the treatment of noma .
founding
During a stay as an assistant in a Cameroonian hospital , the later founders of Naigahelp experienced the key event that - according to their own statements - led them to found the association. A girl from a village near Buea had come to the hospital with an injury, originally just to buy a bandage . However, the wound became infected because of the poor hygienic conditions. At that time it was common practice in hospitals to do so-called "wound dressing" every day, during which the entire wound is washed out with the disinfectant Betadine and cleaned with cloths. However, in this practice the normal wound healing processes can only take place to a limited extent, as the wound is opened anew every day. As a result of this incorrect treatment, the young patient developed sepsis; in the course abscesses spread and a. on the left foot, which should then be amputated. Although the treatment method had been questioned by the young assistants for a long time, it was only a chief physician called up from Yaoundé that finally brought about the change: By cleaning all abscesses with disinfected water ( drainage common in Europe ) and administering strong antibiotics, the girl was barely saved become.
Against this background, the future founders decided to set up their own supply network, which should not only deliver materials to Africa, but also offer the local doctors and nurses the opportunity for further training. The primary intention was to prevent fatal errors - as in the case described - in the future. The name Naigahelp was based on the nickname Naija, which is widespread in Nigeria .
The founders mainly relied on local doctors to help build it; The coordinated partnership between the organization and various hospitals and health centers began in mid-2011. Since then, some deliveries of medical supplies such as ultrasound devices, but also awareness campaigns about common diseases such as HIV / AIDS, have been carried out.
organization
structure
As an association , Naigahelp is organized on a decentralized basis. The board of directors, which is based in Freiburg im Breisgau , coordinates the dispatch of relief supplies to the individual projects. In Cameroon itself, the materials are received by local employees in order to distribute them according to the guidelines. An important principle is the constant coordination of the projects with the current needs of the population. The financial resources are primarily provided by private donors who are made aware of the projects through advertising campaigns (e.g. by addressing them on the street).
Locations
The main area of application is the South West region in Cameroon, where some hospitals and health centers are supported. This area is one of the more developed within Cameroon, so that there is already an adequate road network and the power supply is largely ensured. The poorly developed health sector is therefore the greatest obstacle for the population to a more comfortable life. Traffic accidents are frequent and usually more serious than in Germany, as there is no emergency care available. The hospitals that Naigahelp works with distribute the donated medication to the patients free of charge.
In Nigeria , the organization participates in nationwide educational missions aimed at stimulating young people's interest in medical and scientific activities. As part of education and coaching seminars, Naigahelp employees have taught schools and a. Visited in the states of Niger , Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna .
Voluntary service
Naigahelp also offers the opportunity to work on projects as a volunteer (e.g. as part of a voluntary social year ). The organization also cooperates with non-primarily medical institutions such as children's homes or projects in the field of nature conservation. It will u. a. advertised that the direct brokerage made the costs particularly low (sometimes less than 800 euros). This is actually very cheap in comparison, but when deciding on such a service (if it is to last a full year), the weltwärts program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development should also be considered, which is fully sponsored .
Current assignments
In January 2012, a major shipment of surgical supplies and medical diagnostic equipment was donated to the St. Joan of Arc Higher Institute of Medical Sciences in Buea. In connection with this, Naigahelp carried out a campaign to educate the population about worm diseases .
At the beginning of 2013 the organization organized an education mission in Nigeria in cooperation with the “Center for the Gifted in Science”, during which seminars were held in schools. The pupils were informed about possibilities to deal with their own ideas and interests - despite often difficult living conditions.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Official website of the organization
- ^ Memories of a founder of Naigahelp
- ↑ Information on the projects
- ↑ Flyer from a partner organization on facebook
- Sections "Locations" and "Current missions": German volunteers upgrading Fako health facilities , The Recorder , Cameroonian weekly newspaper about Naigahelp from January 23, 2012 (not online)
- Section "Structure": Articles of Association of Naigahelp - Organization for Africa Aid in the version dated December 21, 2011