Aware that the health of local communities and the health of the local environment are closely intertwined, CHASE Africa supported the team at Save the Elephants’ Bees Research Centre in Sagalla, to initiate a community health pilot project in 2021.
The programme enhanced the holistic wellbeing of ecosystems and communities through the implementation of a One Health approach.
The pilot project trained Community Health Workers and ran a number of community dialogues and outreach clinics. The pilot was so successful that Save the Elephants continued the project in 2022 and 2023 with support from CHASE Africa.
Save the Elephants have increased their focus on providing Sexual and Reproductive Health information to adolescents and youth, as well as men, local chiefs and faith leaders, who are still very influential in a woman's ability to receive healthcare services. Save the Elephants believe that it is essential to involve and educate all members of the community, not just women, to erode the stigma surrounding family planning.
Save the Elephants is planning to expand their work to adjacent communities in 2024.