CCIH Small Grant Helps Health Network in Chad Tell Their Story
The Association Évangélique pour la Santé au Tchad (AEST) is working to improve health in the nation. AEST is a national network of evangelical health facilities comprising six hospitals, two ophthalmological clinics, and more than 124 health centers. The organization protects children from disease as part of a large vaccination project, trains health workers, tests medicines to identify fake or harmful drugs, brings safe water and sanitation to health facilities, and much more.
A self-assessment using the CCIH Organization Capacity Assessment revealed areas AEST could improve to have an even greater impact. To strengthen those areas, AEST applied for and received a CCIH Small Grant in 2023 to improve its ability to communicate its work, fundraising, and leadership and governance.
National Exposure
One of the main areas AEST focused on was increasing its name and brand recognition. With the funding support, AEST was able to support staff time posting stories of its achievements on social media and investing time in media relations. As a result of this outreach, AEST Program Manager Mogode Judith appeared on Lalekou, a morning talk show operated by ONAMA, the National Office of Media and Audiovisual. (See photo at top) Watch a recording of the interview, which begins 15 minutes into the broadcast.
Mogode Judith explained AEST’s work, how the health centers provide health services for 2.5 million people and are positioned in the center of communities to provide rapid response. She shared that AEST conducts training and community education programs to encourage healthy behaviors in the community, as well as its membership in the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP), raising the profile of Christian health networks among the population in Chad.
The television program gave AEST the opportunity to share health infrastructure projects, such as drilling boreholes in at least nine provinces, installing latrines in health centers, and working to ensure facilities have quality medications. Ms. Mogode also informed viewers of a child vaccination project AEST is conducting with World Vision in three provinces.
When the journalist asked if people of other faiths could receive care from AEST member facilities, Ms. Mogode responded that all are welcome in the facilities for care.
Raising Brand Awareness
AEST also produced branded wall and desk calendars to all their member health centers, ministers of public health, and leaders of each denomination, including the Evangelical Church, the Baptist Church, and the Pentecostal Church. After publishing more images of their activities, including photos with branded materials on Facebook, the number of followers has increased.
AEST has also had discussions with new potential partners as their profile and visibility increase and more people become familiar with the organization’s name and work.
According to Mbaihoressi Mbaiadoum Jean, AEST’s Program Director, “We have seen the power of social media and the internet in raising awareness in the community and beyond. This awareness brings more followers on Facebook and visitors to our website.”
Géovanie Kamtar, Head of Communications, stated: “We have seen many positive effects from the increased visibility resulting from the enhanced social media presence and new branded products. People in the community understand our work in health and how we have improved their well-being, and they are grateful. It’s moving to see.”
In addition to the communications and awareness-raising activities, AEST hired a consultant who conducted a training workshop in February 2024 on organizational leadership and governance for AEST’s technical staff, executive office, and Board of Directors. (See photo above.)