Random Selection...from a trash can

We are beginning a randomized controlled pilot trial of the READY intervention - a family and church-based program to prevent HIV and improve mental health of youth in Muhuru. Only 4 out of the 57 churches in Muhuru will receive the intervention, so we needed to be careful how those were selected. So yesterday we invited the Chiefs from across Muhuru to participate in the random selection by drawing slips of paper with the church names. After my explanation, they understood and accepted the process - but they were not at all satisfied with our carefully prepared envelopes from which we asked them to draw. These envelopes, they explained, would not allow us to "mix them thoroughly." I had to agree. So the head chief looked around the room for an acceptable container and decided the trash can was perfect. He emptied it and it indeed allowed us to mix thoroughly, thereby making sure the process was fair.

Good thing we called the chiefs together, as random selection resulted in only two of the four geographic locations of Muhuru represented among the churches. I will definitely do it this way again in the future - I will just bring along a big enough hat to pull from.