Migration is an essential feature of rural nomadic life, giving pastoralists (herders) access to natural resources like water and pasture that sustain the livestock which, in turn, provide food and sustenance to families. This very migration, however, can also severely constrain the ability of nomadic families to access necessary health care services, for such services are usually concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas of Ethiopia. In this situation, CHWs are the only effective way to provide essential health education and prevention services. Pastoralist Concern (PC) is one of the non-governmental organizations that is active in southern Ethiopia and is engaged in addressing the problems and needs of rural people. As CHWs, we were trained and hired by PC to serve our community. Even though being a CHW in this rural society is challenging because of the nomadic nature of the population, our CHW program is a unique model that adapts to the seasonal patterns of rural movement. Our activities include: health education, health promotion and disease prevention.

In the following section we would like to highlight our work and contribution to our community in confronting the ubiquitous practice of female genital mutilation-a traditional practice of removing and infibulating female genitalia. The practice is seen by some as promoting modesty and purity for girls in the Somali community. However, it clearly violates women's rights, puts them through enormous pain, and exposes them to serious health risks, including excessive bleeding and numerous gynecological consequences. The health impact of the procedure is easily noticeable if you live in the community. For example, one day we witnessed a ten year old girl who had undergone the procedure several hours earlier. She was in excruciating pain and was bleeding excessively as her mother pleaded for help; we rushed the little girl to the hospital by motorcycle and, as result, her life was saved. In order to address this problem, the Pastoralist Concern (PC) began a comprehensive program, with the heavy involvement of CHWs, to educate the community about the negative consequences of the practice of female genital mutilation. Our education campaign included all stakeholders, such as religious leaders, clan elders, traditional medical practitioners, and the women themselves. Our education campaign was aimed at empowering women to make the right decision for their daughters. Our intervention incorporated several modules that included health education and advocating for laws protecting women from such practices. Reflecting on the benefit of our intervention, one of the participants said, "I will never put my daughter through this procedure." Asked about her own experience with female genital mutilation, she said that she also had the procedure 20 years ago and recalled that she nearly died from it and was still suffering from consequences that included various gynecological problems, painful cycle, and difficulty during childbirth. She said she did not want this to happen to her daughters. We hope our work as community health workers will continue to make a difference in the lives of those who need us and appreciate our services. This piece rightly reflects our contribution to our community.