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MOCHE, Inc. |
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Mobilizing Opportunity Through Community Heritage Empowerment |
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Public Health Programs Summer 2009 |
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MOCHE is proud to announce plans for an exciting and productive summer! We are so happy to have returning participant groups Nourish, International and Engineers Without Borders. In addition and for the first time ever, we have two students from the UNC School of Journalism who will be documenting our progress for everyone back home to see.
Our summer programs include: |
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-Identify the strengths and needs of Moche Valley communities |
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-Obtain information about community resources |
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-Set health priorities and facilitate action to improve health status and quality of life in the region |
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-Increase involvement of community members in issues of public welfare |
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Main Issues to Identify : |
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-Basic demographics: age, income, education, employment, family structure, service use, etc. |
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-Most common health needs |
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-Main diseases, reasons for hospitalization, use of emergency services, etc. |
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-Identify ways to help reduce/prevent disease and promote health |
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-In-field, face-to-face interviews and public forums/meetings |
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-12 students from Nourish, Int’l will be working with health care professionals and community members to collect and interpret information gathered |
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-The team will include Peruvian and U.S. medical professionals |
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-A small incentive “goodie bag” will be given to each participant family
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In an area with no sewage or waste removal, one of the most basic means of improving daily health is by improving sanitation.
Based on research and design work by Nourish, Int’l students in the summer of 2008, MOCHE is currently implementing a pilot program for safe, inexpensive human waste disposal.
We will be constructing 4 latrines using locally made adobe bricks along with some inexpensive supplementary materials. The latrines will be donated free of charge to a few lucky families in the valley.
As we learn from the design and implementation, MOCHE plans to expand the program in subsequent years to include communal facilities. In addition, local people will be empowered with educational materials to construct their own private facilities if they choose. |
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Basic Latrine Diagram
Source: Sanitation for a Healthy Nation: Sanitation Technology Options. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Republic of South Africa. February 2002 |
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Infant mortality rates are notably high in the region and it appears that most women receive no pre-natal care. In fact, it is not uncommon to withhold naming a child until it’s survival is likely.
To address this complex issue, MOCHE will be conducting a week-long prenatal session for any interested pregnant women in the middle valley. The program will be multimedia in nature and designed to integrate simple modern health practices that have the potential to make a big difference with those traditional practices currently in use. To this end, MOCHE will be seeking out the expertise and collaboration of area midwives to learn more about current birthing conditions and to pool resources.
Special thanks to pppppp for their donation of a top-notch Spanish language video on pregnancy and childbirth! |
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Ciudad de Dios Water Committee |
MOCHE continues to work for the long-term sustainability of the water system constructed last year in the town of Ciudad de Dios.
Currently, two student representatives from EWB are working exclusively with the water committee of Ciudad de Dios to formalize the town’s ownership and rights to the water and the water system. Of particular emphasis is the drafting and ratification of documents defining the right to protect and maintain the system under Peruvian law. This will give them recourse in the event of tampering by others.
Also of great import is the establishment of a written structure for self-governance by the town which defines how the water can be used. The goals are to maintain equal access for all residents, to provide for regular system maintenance and to prevent waste of this important resource. |
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| Health Fair |
| Toward the end of the work season, MOCHE intends to hold a small health fair for area residents interested in learning more about health issues that affect their lives. Both students and medical professionals will be on staff to take vital signs such as blood pressure and blood sugar and to provide referrals in cases of serious concerns. While mom and dad are busy, the children will play games demonstrating the benefits of tooth brushing and hand washing. |
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| Orphanage |
| There is an orphanage in the middle valley located near the town of Santa Rosa. MOCHE plans to introduce ourselves and see if we can lend a hand and possibly embark upon a long-term relationship to benefit the children. |
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