March 2020 It is a delight to send greetings and provide you with an update on the Bienestar projects. Thanks to your financial contributions, volunteer efforts, and valuing of the vision and work of Bienestar, we have been able to continue to support our practice partners in the Cooperative of Nuevo Horizonte (CNH), a small village in the remote northeastern department of el PetĂŠn, Guatemala. Twenty-two years strong, they celebrated a momentous victory this past fall when they paid off their mortgage and gained ownership of the cooperative. Below is an overview of the projects and individual experiences that highlight the story of us working together.
- Phase 2 - Corazon de Maria Spanish Language School– Budget: $1,640 As you may recall, Bienestar supported phase 1 with the opening of the Corazon de Maria Spanish language school in 2017. Put forward by young adults, the school provides employment and generates guests for the community – based tourism program. Through this microeconomic initiative, eight young people gained the necessary knowledge and skills to teach Spanish as a 2nd language while students contributed indirectly to improving village economics by Spanish language Graduation -an exciting day for a group of American university students taking advantage of the local hotels, hostel, restaurants, and family meal program. To date, 90 students from around the world have studied at the language school. Phase 2 funds supported continuing education for the instructors and school accreditation with the Ministries of Education and Tourism of Guatemala.
1
This investment is key to long term sustainabilty. It supports instructor excellence and increases marketing opportunities aimed at students from North America wanting a Spanish language credit, the principal group attending language schools throughout Guatemala.
Student Scholarship & Adolescent Health/ Leadership Program – Budget: $5,000 Ten students received scholarships last year. These funds assisted the recipients and their families to meet the costs of middle school education that involves payment out of pocket for school uniforms, supplies, and extracurricular activities which enrich the student’s experience immeasurably. The students receive their monthly stipend based on program criteria established by the community. This includes maintaining good grades, participating in the adolescent health and leadership program, and volunteering as youth leaders in community programs.
2
Adolescent health and leadership workshop on gender and dominant social norms
Through the adolescent health & leadership program youth are empowered to make healthy decisions regarding their sexual health and development. Sexual health is generally omitted from school curriculum and is a taboo subject in many of the households which has translated in Guatemala having among the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Latin America. Based on a participatory and culturally sensitive curriculum, youth are encouraged to gain accurate knowledge and to cultivate healthy attitudes about their bodies engendered by developing a greater sense of self-respect, self-esteem, and empowerment.
3
Together the youth and facilitators reflect on their personal goals and dreams, youth identified issues such as excessive alcohol consumption and oppressive social gender norms, and personal decision-making and expand their abilities in analysis, problemsolving, and negotiation. Alongside their parents, they explore prevailing taboos and learn how to navigate the many changes of adolescence. The Federation of Postsecondary Educators (FPSE) of B.C. is also partnering in this program, all of which is coordinated by the community’s very active women’s group.
- Let’s Walk Together - Diabetes prevention and self-management Program– Budget: $11,500 Now in its 2nd year, the diabetes prevention and self-management program is facilitated by four diabetes health promoters working part-time on salary. Community-wide evaluation revealed that people overwhelmingly view the program as helpful, inclusive, empowering, and key to supporting people to live well with diabetes. In keeping with their expressed goal as a community to focus on the health of their children, they see it as key to promoting health and preventing or (at the very least) delaying the onset of diabetes in future generations. The program philosophy is a whole of community approach with a focus on wellness. Through regular club participation, women, children, and people living with diabetes are learning about lifestyle and social factors that support wellness. Hands-on healthy meal planning and preparation translate health promoter presentations into take away actions. Recently, 20 clients attended their annual checkup with the diabetes specialist. She was delighted to inform nine of them that they were Children’s club – crafting personal dream images in target range for their lab exams (A1C, BP). While not ideal, it does reflect current client management outcomes in North America where patients have access to the best standards of care.
4
Eight people are now taking insulin as part of a diabetes management regime which is virtually unknown in rural Guatemala. While it can be challenging given the social taboos, costs, and potential discomfort, it is lifesaving and models to others living with diabetes the legitimacy of insulin treatment. Below is a pictorial representation of the seven essential programs offered through Bienestar.
Primary School Health & Wellness education program
alt. community biometric check & monthly primary care home visits
Primary care with diabetes speciialist & lab exams
low cost quality meds
Support clubs for women, children, youth, and people living with diabetes
Exercise progam 4 x / week
blood glucose testing & F/Up for gestational diabetes
Biometric = blood pressure, fasting blood sugar & weight (as requested)
5
In response to community evaluation feedback last spring, the diabetes health promoters have now initiated weekly health and wellness classes in all of the grades at the primary school. As well, they have been meeting with the parents to discuss the health curriculum and to help them understand its application beyond the classroom.
Check out the Bienestar Projects / Volunteer / Study Spanish Bienestar had another first last year as Selkirk College nursing alumni Alyssa Franklin (Guatemala practice experience 2006) visited the Cooperative along with fellow nursing colleague Cedar McMahon. Both were keen to meet the people, see the Bienestar projects up close, and in the case of Alyssa, study Spanish. Alyssa’s comments capture the essence of Bienestar at work with CNH: "During my initial trip to Guatemala, in 2006, we spent only a few short hours in Cooperativa Nuevo Horizonte. I remember being struck by the community’s willingness to share their powerful stories and their collective vision for a better future with us. 13 years later I encountered the same spirit of determination and awe-inspiring dedication to their community’s health and well-being. Though the resources to achieve some of their goals are lacking; their vision, intelligence and commitment is in abundance. Oftentimes, organizations can unintentionally further disempower individuals and communities through a "we know what is best for you" approach. Bienestar recognizes that community empowerment and development come from communities identifying their own needs and being the leaders of change with their community. The funds raised through Bienestar go directly to projects identified as priorities by CNH. How amazing is that!? I had the privilege of observing the Diabetes Health Promoters working in the school with children on emotional health. There is truly a deep understanding of health in its fullest context. Not just the absence of disease. I also had the privilege of taking Spanish lessons through CNH's Spanish language school. My teacher was welcoming, patient and willing to use different teaching strategies to meet my learning needs. For the first time, I actually felt as though learning a second language was possible! "
And lastly … With the completion of their mortgage payments through incredible hard work, sacrifice, vision, long-term commitment, and international solidarity, the people of Nuevo Horizonte are now able to invest into more of their own social initiatives. This year they are dedicating 90 hectares from existing cattle pasture to the expansion of the reforestation project. With 375 hectares of their 900-hectare cooperative now dedicated to forest regeneration, Nuevo Horizonte is demonstrating a keen commitment to environmental stewardship, the value of building a more equitable and just society, and the possibilities for all of us to realize our dreams of social justice. Bravo Nuevo Horizonte!
6
Your hard – earned dollars at work A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to Bienestar this year through financial donations, volunteer efforts, visiting the Cooperative of Nuevo Horizonte, or attending the ubiquitous Beans and Rice dinner which is now being hosted by Bienestar.
This is what your donations can do!
$60
•Weekly attendance for one child, woman, or person living with diabetes (PLWD) at the health and wellness clubs •Basic oral diabetes medications for one person for one year
$75
•Annual medical check-up and lab exams for one person living with diabetes $100
$300
$500
•Basic Insulin treatment for one person for one year •Student scholarship for uniforms, school supplies, extracurricular activities, and hot meal •Annual Part-time salary for one diabetes health promoter
$1,620
(12 hr/wk. @ $2.80/hr)
If you wish to make a donation, check the link below to Nelson United Church, a valued Bienestar partner @ https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/38293/donation (**under Fund, choose #2 Guatemala Bienestar) If you wish to learn more about the projects, volunteer with Bienestar, or visit our practice partners, please contact Michael @ mandf@netidea.com. All of our efforts, though at times they may seem insignificant, much like grains of sand, do contribute to creating a better world. Know this to be true and that you are part of making it so. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Ann (on behalf of the Bienestar board) Alyssa Franklin Monika Nowatschin Teeka Ferguson Mary Ann Morris
Michael Chapman Joe Woodward Cheralynne Kennedy
7