Karina & Ruth

Karina and Ruth (names have been changed), 10 and 12 years old, are two sisters that are involved in CENIT's programs. Their family moved to Quito from the rural province of Cotapaxi in search of a better way of life. However, upon arrival in the city the family found themselves facing extreme poverty and backbreaking working conditions. They all work making bricks: between the various family members they average 150 bricks per week which hardly provides enough income to provide for the family. Karina and Ruth became involved with CENIT and began to study at our primary school where they received classes in subjects such as writing, math, sciences and social sciences. After visiting their home and seeing the reality in which they live, CENIT found resources to help them attend a school specifically for children with learning disabilities. Currently the children attend this school in the morning and CENIT's homework help center in the afternoon.

You are here:

Medical Campaigns

Aim

To promote positive health practices through education and direct community action.

Project Information

Many members of the CENIT community suffer from poverty-related physical and mental health problems. In an effort to address these issues, CENIT’s Medical Campaign director and staff create activities every month that focus on a specific, appropriate, relevant health issue. For example, they would create activities, games, and lectures to inform different audiences (in CENIT and in the market sectors) about the dangers of poor hygiene.

Volunteer Requirements

A volunteer working on the monthly medical campaigns should have an active interest in promoting positive health practices, a knowledge of developing country health issues, and a willingness to research a variety of health topics. The ability to self-educate is essential, as is a basic level of Spanish. Creativity, enthusiasm, and teaching abilities are all plusses.