Location: Rubingo Community, Fort Portal City
Thematic Area: Inclusive Health & Community Wellbeing
Beneficiary: Aisha Nanziri, 27 years old, mother of two
Before REST-Africa’s Intervention
For many years, Aisha, a young mother living in Rubingo, battled recurring malaria episodes with her two children, aged 3 and 5.
The nearest health facility, Rubingo HC III, was over 4 km away — and accessing treatment meant walking long distances, often while sick or carrying a sick child.
During rainy seasons, the footpaths flooded, and transport costs to the facility were unaffordable.
“Some nights, my children would get fever, and I had to wait until morning because I could not walk in the dark,” Aisha recounts.
With limited health information, no mosquito net, and inconsistent access to diagnosis, Aisha’s household suffered repeated illness, missed school days, and reduced income due to frequent care-giving.
The situation felt hopeless.
REST-Africa Steps In
When REST-Africa partnered with the Rotary Club of Kabarole, Malaria Partners Uganda, and MPI to support the RCAMP-HI project, Rubingo community was among the first targeted areas due to high malaria prevalence.
Aisha became one of the beneficiaries who received:
- A long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net (LLIN)
- Health education through community sensitization sessions
- Access to trained Village Health Teams (VHTs/CHWs) for early testing
- Referral support to Rubingo HC III
- Awareness on preventive behaviors through SBCC sessions
REST-Africa’s role included strengthening VHT capacity, community mobilization, and improving data collection and reporting through health workers.
Transformation
Within months, Aisha’s household began to experience significant positive changes:
🛏️ The new LLIN drastically reduced mosquito bites at night.
🧪 Early testing through trained VHTs meant her children received timely treatment.
đź“š Her children missed fewer school days due to improved health.
🧼 She adopted preventive behaviors such as eliminating stagnant water and keeping compound hygiene.
Aisha proudly shares:
“It has been six months now, and none of my children has suffered severe malaria. I feel relieved as a mother. I no longer panic in the night.”
With fewer illnesses, Aisha returned to her small vegetable-growing business — increasing household income and food stability.
Community-Level Change
Aisha’s story mirrors the experience of many households reached through:
- CHW/VHT training
- Health outreach sessions
- School-based malaria prevention activities
- Community sensitization dialogues
Her village now has multiple champion mothers who reinforce preventive health practices in their households.
REST-Africa’s Impact Through Aisha’s Story
Aisha is one of the 5,500+ community members reached through REST-Africa’s Inclusive Health & Community Wellbeing interventions.
Her story shows:
- Increased access to timely diagnosis and treatment
- Improved malaria prevention practices
- Reduced burden of disease in children under five
- Strengthened community health systems
- Empowered VHTs to serve effectively
- A healthier, more resilient community