Clement Barffo-1st CS

1st Community Service Report 2025

Date: Monday, 6th January 2025.

Location: Akim Adekuma, Eastern Region.

Topic: Promoting Health and Well-Being Among Elderly Women.

As a JEQ Foundation Scholar, I had the privilege of conducting my first community service for

the year 2025 on 6th January 2025, in the village of Akim Adekuma, located in the Eastern

Region of Ghana. This service was particularly special as it also doubled as an opportunity to

celebrate the New Year with the elderly women of the community. Through engaging

conversations, I sought to understand their challenges, provide practical guidance, and spread a

sense of joy and relief.

1. Common Health Issues

To gain insight into the health challenges faced by the elderly women, I asked open-ended

questions such as:

❖ What health concerns do you have?

❖ How do you manage your health?

Findings and Discussions

❖ Prevalent Health Issues:

The women mentioned several health challenges, including hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and

vision or hearing impairments, which are common in the elderly population.

❖ Traditional Remedies:

Many women rely on traditional remedies to manage their ailments, such as herbal teas and local

plants believed to alleviate symptoms. I encouraged them to seek a balance between traditional

remedies and modern medical treatments, emphasizing regular check-ups and adherence to

prescribed medications.

2. Nutrition and Diet

Understanding the importance of nutrition, I explored the women’s dietary habits by asking:

❖ What do you typically eat in a day?

❖ How do you prepare your meals?

Findings and Discussions

❖ Dietary Habits:

Many of the women relied on starchy staples with minimal vegetables and protein due to limited

resources. Some mentioned irregular eating patterns caused by their caregiving roles or financial

constraints.

❖ Solutions and Recommendations:

I shared practical tips to improve their diet, such as:

Including locally available and affordable vegetables in their meals.

Utilizing protein sources like eggs, fish, or beans.

Preparing meals in healthier ways, such as steaming instead of frying.

❖ Hydration Awareness:

I emphasized the importance of proper hydration, encouraging them to drink adequate water

throughout the day to maintain energy and overall health.

3. Sleep and Rest

To address the importance of rest, I engaged the women in discussions about their sleep patterns

by asking:

❖ How many hours do you sleep at night?

❖ Do you have trouble sleeping?

Findings and Discussions

❖ Sleep Patterns:

Many of the women shared that they experience interrupted or insufficient sleep due to

discomfort, stress, or environmental factors.

❖ Relaxation Techniques:

I introduced simple relaxation methods to help improve their sleep quality, such as:

Practicing deep breathing exercises.

Engaging in light stretches or meditation before bedtime.

Personal Impact

One of the moments that stood out during this service was my interaction with two particular

women who had been marginalized by the community and often called names. Spending time

with them and listening to their concerns brought them noticeable relief and joy. Witnessing their

happiness and gratitude was a deeply humbling experience for me.

Reflection and Conclusion

This community service at Adekuma village was a deeply enriching experience. It provided me

with an opportunity not only to address the health, nutritional, and sleep-related concerns of

elderly women but also to bring joy and relief to individuals often sidelined by the community.

The smiles and gratitude of the women, especially the two marginalized individuals I spent time

with, reaffirmed the importance of compassion and inclusion.

As my first community service of 2025 under the JEQ Foundation, this experience has set a

meaningful tone for the year ahead. I look forward to continuing these engagements and making

a lasting impact.