My first awareness of community health work began in childhood. I vividly remember groups of health workers wearing medical bibs and carrying boxes, moving from house to house to administer vaccines to children. After giving each eligible child their dose, they would mark our little finger with ink to prevent double administration in case another team visited. Back then, I was more afraid of injections than anything else, but growing up, I came to appreciate the importance of their work.
By 2015, I learned that many of these dedicated individuals were not paid staff, but rather volunteers committed to safeguarding public health. This realization inspired me to give back to my community by joining the Community Health Centre in my locality as a Community Health Volunteer.
Through this role, I:
- Participated in trainings on public health practices and awareness campaigns.
- Engaged in community outreach programs, educating households on how to stay healthy, prevent illness, and adopt hygienic practices.
- Supported vaccination campaigns across different communities, ensuring that children received the right doses.
- Assisted with publicity efforts, raising awareness about health programs and disease prevention.
I was particularly motivated by the powerful theme:
This experience not only strengthened my understanding of public health and preventive care, but also reinforced my passion for community service and volunteerism.
