Grandmothers: A Learning Institution - Basic Education and Policy ...

in-laws and the additional free time theyhave to spend with grandchildren.LAOSSchool and media materials reflectinggrandmothers’ role in child health.In a WHO-UNICEF-supported program topromote appropriate home treatment ofcommon childhood illnesses (especiallydiarrhea, and respiratory infections), materialswere developed both for use in theschools and for radio that reflected grandmothers’roles and experience in childhealth, including their traditional practices.A booklet was prepared for use in schoolscontaining a set of songs and stories-without-an-ending;the latter to elicit group discussionand problem-solving of typicalhealth-related situations(MCHI/UNICEF/WHO 1997). Both typesof materials were used in community sessionsto engage grandmothers in discussionswith their peers concerning both traditionaland modern approaches to treatingsick children and on the possibility ofcombining elements from the twoapproaches.The same songs were recordedwith school children and broadcast onthe radio. Some were songs praisinggrandmothers for their important role inpromoting family health while others weresongs teaching key health messages.MOZAMBIQUEGrandmother groups for health education.In a child health project implemented byWorld Relief, health education activitieswere initially only conducted with youngerwomen until it became obvious that thesewomen were not able to implement newchild care practices if their mother-in-lawsdid not agree (Ernst 2001). Later, separategrandmother groups were established toaddress the same topics as those discussedwith the younger women. It was foundthat the grandmothers were very responsiveand open to the new ideas being proposedwhen they were systematicallyinvolved.NORTHERN TERRITORY,AUSTRALIAAboriginal grandmothers coordinate acommunity health program.Based on the traditional and respectedrole of grandmothers in Nyirrpi culture ofcentral Australia and their advisory role infamily health, grandmother leaders wereinvolved from the start in the developmentof a program to promote the healthof girls and women (Wilson 1999). Theywere involved in identifying needs, developingstrategies to improve the health ofall ages of girls/women in their communities,and monitoring and evaluating theNyirrpi Grandmothers’Women’s HealthProgram. Involvement of the grandmothershas contributed to the development ofhealth services that build on the aboriginalcultural realities, thus making the servicesmore appealing and appropriate for girlsand women in the community.SENEGALA grandmother-inclusive nonformal educationstrategy and its role in maternal andchild health.As one component of a child health program,a grandmother-inclusive strategy wasdeveloped by the Christian Children’s Fund(CCF). It involved the use of both songs,lauding the role of grandmothers, and ofopen-ended, problem-posing stories inwhich grandmothers play a leading role,reflecting their role in society. The nonfor­24 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT