WiRED Opens New CHI Center e-Library in Kenya
by Allison Kozicharow

After a year in the making, WiRED proudly announces the latest installation of the Community Health Information (CHI) e-library in Kisumu, Kenya. This interactive, health training program covers 120 topics or modules critical to public health in developing regions—with a special emphasis on HIV/AIDS as that remains critical to our audiences in Africa.

WiRED's major project for the start of its second decade of service is its CHI Program. This free service provides up-to-date health information, including the latest developments, training, and research. These instructional programs offer life-saving prevention information about HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, asthma, and scores of other critical, health-related topics.

During this week's inauguration, WiRED familiarized the local team with the new material and invited the communities in. WiRED director Gary Selnow, Ph.D. said, "We installed the new programs in the morning, ran the staff through the modules, and the next day opened the doors for the community. Reactions of the people were wonderful! A school sent over 30 kids, ages 5-12, and they immediately tried out the HIV/AIDS for Kids module. We used extra bells and whistles in that module and the children loved it."

One innovation was the addition of sound effects for responses to quiz questions--cheers and positive sounds for correct answers, groans for incorrect answers. We built in video clips, moving graphics, and lots of color to attract the young audience. After an hour with the program, each group of kids (they always work in groups) scored 100% on the final exam. That's impressive when we're trying to teach kids about HIV basics. The other programs were equally successful with adult clients. These training tools are filling a huge need and doing it in an interesting, engaging, and effective way."

The CHI program's ongoing development team comprises physicians, medical editors, and computer technicians who create engaging programs that hold user attention and enhance the instructional elements. WiRED's players in our latest e-library included Dr. Miriam Othman (medical coordinator); Tom Turkle and Jennifer Halling (medical editors); Brian Colombe (technical coordinator); Christopher Spirito (IT engineer), and Max Hurwitz and Zack Purucker (IT programmers). Sarah Dekker and Laura Smolucha carefully examined each module before it was placed in the e-library, and became known affectionately as Inspectors 12 and 13.

Dr. Miriam Othman, WiRED's medical coordinator said, "Because of the level of poverty and need in that region, this library will be of great benefit and help not only to the grassroots communities but also to the medical professionals—for example, we have a series of modules on human anatomy written for medical professionals. We also offer an anatomy module crafted especially for non-technical audiences."

In pursuit of its policy to share information, WiRED plans shortly to release the e-library to all nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations working with deprived populations in the United States and abroad. We plan to test this e-library with One Laptop Per Child facilities in Jamaica and soon a village in India. The next goal will be to simplify installation procedures for a wider distribution.

WiRED Board Chair Anthony Hodge said, "One thing which I believe is possible with this program is its simplicity of delivery. A single 'thumb drive' containing the entire library can be sent to a village clinic that already has a laptop computer and will be immediately accessible for use by the local people. And by making the library free to small and deserving NGOs and operations, it will let WiRED continue its march as a member of the global health community."

Driven by the belief that health information is a human right, we charge nothing for our material; we wish to make it as widely available as possible. Most grassroots communities have no Internet access and few NGOs offer the kind of health training we're providing. WiRED's CHI Center e-libraries will empower communities to educate themselves on their own health and health issues.

Layout by Brian Colombe.

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