From the smallest baby to the oldest abuela (grandma), everyone needs to go to the doctor when they're sick, get banages when they're hurt, get medicine for a cold and get their checkups.
The community of Nueva Candelaria has some specific needs; like nutrition support for young children, dental care and youth education.
For example, not everyone has running water in their house. Some people have to walk long distances to fill up water and carry it home. Others do have running water, but none of the water that comes out of the tap is safe for drinking -- they have to boil it or clean it first. If water isn't properly boiled, or the food isn't properly cooked, the kids could get sick with food poisoning and be unable to eat or drink anything for days. When I got food poisoning, I didn't eat for almost four days and lost almost 10 pounds. But if I were a baby or a young child, I might not have 10 pounds to lose.
In the center of our village, there is a Puesto de Salud, a health post. This type of health center is smaller, with limited services and hours. However, whatever kind of illness, emergency, injury or need the community members might have, they can come to the health center between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The best part -- everything is totally free. The consult with the doctor, the medications, clubs and activities with parents and kids, donations of resources and any therapies are all completely free.
We're also lucky to have a few nonprofits working here!
