Report

During May through August, 2001, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to serve the citizens of Honduras through the Coca-Cola World Citizenship Program and American Red Cross. I interned as a Health Delegate, which allowed me to perform administrative tasks, community health education, and epidemiological studies. The internship was a "dream come true." It reassured me that humanitarian work is definitely what I enjoy best.

I worked closely with an American Red Cross social worker/health educator, providing community health education to various communities who were afflicted by Hurricane Mitch. Most of the activities involved making home visits and demonstrating the proper handling of drinking water, and personal hygiene education. As part of the health education component we provided training to Red Cross volunteers and community leaders on how to do community health education. We also developed training manuals.

The epidemiological duties included developing surveys, using the computer program "Epi6" to input and analyze data. I learned of different types of surveys, and the importance of obtaining good and clean data while conducting surveys. I also had the opportunity to receive training on how to conduct epidemiological studies of outbreaks while attending the Central American Parasitology and Infectious Diseases Conference.

My administrative and managerial duties were mostly executed through the planning and execution of my micro project. Organizing a micro project led me to write proposals for approval of projects, hire a consultant, organize health activities, and coordinate activities with Red Cross volunteers and other non-Red Cross organizations. Having to hire a consultant led me to write terms of reference, negotiate prices, prepare a budget, draft a contract, and supervise the work of the consultant.

I was able to integrate personal interests into the development of my micro-project because I was given a lot of flexibility. I organized and directed a health fair using artistic props to educate children about health. The purpose of the health fair was to contribute to health improvement of the population in relation to decreasing infections of malaria and dengue fever. The project consisted of a puppet show, and an environmental health drawing contest for 400 pre- high school aged students. It also included training of local teachers and Honduran Red Cross, as well as other community leader volunteers, about health education through the presentation of puppets as a didactic course. A total of 20 volunteers received the training, which lasted three days. As as a form of evaluation of their training, a final presentation of the puppet show was then given by the 20 volunteers.

The health fair was a success! My co-workers at the delegation in Tegucigalpa were very helpful in helping me plan the project, and the people of San Francisco de la Paz - the community I had chosen to execute the project - was extremely grateful. The children even made me promise that I would return next year. The project went so well that it will be developed in other communities. I am so thrilled to have been able to initiate a positive new trend.

Every day spent in Honduras was memorable. The night before returning to the U.S., I had a sleepover where I invited all my new-found sisters. It was a wonderful night. I brought together people of different social status and ethnic backgrounds - all in one room.

Whether it was spent serving the people, quietly observing my surroundings, or hanging with my sisters, there was always a feeling of excitement in my heart. I will always cherish the joy I felt while building a stove made of mud and horse manure for an indigenous family in Las Hortensias. I will never forget the peace felt observing the beautiful mountains, during the long hours we drove just to get to a community. I truly miss the fried fish and plantains that we used to eat on our way to work in Catacamas. I can still feel the group hug I received from the children of San Francisco de la Paz after the final presentation of the puppets while I was saying "mis adios". I still have not been able to wipe away the tears that I shed with my sisters on the day of my departure from Honduras.

My time in Honduras has shown me that I can easily adapt to unfamiliar "lugares", and that I have a genuine love for all people. I have also acquired an great sense of self-confidence that I know will continue to provide me reassurance in times of need.

Photo Gallery

Members of the Walabis Theater Company

Third and last day of health fair. The teachers who received training prepare a script for the final presentation of the puppet ("titeres") show in the afternoon

Little friends I made while working at a primary school for the three days of the health fair in San Francisco de la Paz

Third day of halth fair. We arduously make our last puppets and prepare for the afternoon show

I demonstrate the correct way to wash hands to volunteers of Las Lomas, Catacamas

... The proper washing of hands demonstration

Amandita and a volunteer teach a mother how to keep her latrine clean and disease free

Group picture time after a long day of community health education campaigning in Las Lomas, Catacamas