Physical Health Peru Project #60887

Community Health Worker Program

by EcoSwell

Project Report | May 21, 2025
Healthy Lives in Rural Peru: Community Health in Action

By Alejandro Pizarro | Director of Research and Communications

Dear GlobalGiving Friends and Supporters,

Since launching our Community Health Worker Program, our dedicated medical volunteers have been working hard to improve health outcomes in the rural town of Lobitos. They’ve developed public health interventions and led workshops that empower residents with life-changing knowledge and skills.

Our work aligns with Peru’s national health priorities, especially the identified urgent priority to reduce paediatric and maternal anaemia. With the help of community leaders, we identify beneficiary families and train community health workers to reach those most in need.

In our most recent workshop last November, five local women were trained to measure and monitor haemoglobin levels. Our medical volunteers also delivered sessions on basic nutrition and how to detect and manage anaemia. We conducted three-month follow-up checkups and collected qualitative feedback from participants of earlier workshops.

Thanks to the generous support of Lucky Iron Life, we distributed 30 Lucky Iron Fish to families—simple, reusable tools that add essential dietary iron during cooking. Families were trained on their use to safely improve iron intake at home.

Next month, we’ll expand this program to reach 30 more households, conducting more workshops on anaemia and follow-up checkups. In parallel, we continue to run public health initiatives such as sexual health education and testing, and our HPV vaccination program, which is a critical intervention in a country where cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death for women.

Your ongoing support makes all of this possible. Together, we are making a meaningful and measurable impact in our community.

With gratitude,
Alejandro Pizarro

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Jan 22, 2025
Education Workshops for Preventative Health

By Alejandro Pizarro | Director

Dear GlobalGiving Donors,

We are delighted to share the latest updates and milestones from our Community Healthcare Worker Program project. Your generous support is enabling us to make significant strides in empowering communities with health education and tools for better living. These efforts are creating lasting impacts by improving health outcomes and fostering stronger bonds among community members.

Recent Highlights

Health and Nutrition Workshop:

In a significant step towards combatting preventable health conditions, we hosted a workshop led by Carmen Thompson, a passionate advocate for our cause. Carmen, who ran a marathon in March to support our mission, returned to guide locals in preparing meals designed to prevent diabetes, hypertension, and anemia. We also received generous support from Lucky Iron Life, who helped us provide the community with cooking additives that prevent and treat iron deficiency.

Vaccines and Blood Tests:

Additionally, we provided the community with vaccines to prevent HPV and hemoglobin tests to detect for anemia. These hemoglobin tests served as baseline measurements, and we will be conducting them once again at the end of the month to ensure the effectiveness of the Lucky Iron Life tools.

Health Impact and Community Engagement

Improved Awareness and Lifestyle Changes:

The cooking workshop has already begun to foster positive lifestyle changes among participants. By learning how to prepare nutritious meals with locally available ingredients, families are empowered to make informed dietary choices that will reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases.

Strengthening Community Ties:

The workshop has also brought the community closer together. By engaging in shared learning experiences, participants are not only improving their health but also building a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to expand the scope of this initiative by offering more health education workshops, along with more hemoglobin tests, and involving a broader section of the community. With your continued support, we aim to create an even greater impact by continuing to address critical health challenges in marginalized areas.

Your unwavering support is the foundation of our progress. Thanks to your contributions, we are empowering communities to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and partnership, and we look forward to continuing this vital work together.

Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Warm regards,

Alejandro Pizarro

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Sep 24, 2024
Medical electives preparing our first workshop

By Alejandro Pizarro | Project Leader

Nurse Luisa receives the donations from EcoSwell

Dear GlobalGiving Donors,

We are thrilled to share the significant progress made over the past three months in the Community Health Worker Program. June to August marked the high season for internships at the medical post, where our dedicated medicine and dentistry students attended to nearly 200 patients.

Challenges and Solutions:

Dentistry Chair Repair: Leslie, our local dentist, faced difficulties with her dentistry chair, hindering her ability to perform simple procedures. Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to repair the chair, ensuring that dental care can be provided efficiently.
Glucose Measurement Equipment: Luisa, our Head Nurse, lacked the necessary equipment to measure glucose levels for diabetes patients. Given the prevalence of diabetes in our community, regular check-ups are crucial. Your contributions enabled us to supply the medical post with essential medicines and equipment.

Upcoming Initiatives: Next month, we face new challenges and exciting opportunities:

Cooking Workshop: Carmen Perea, who ran a marathon for our cause in March, will return to lead a workshop teaching locals how to cook meals that prevent diabetes, hypertension, and anemia. This workshop will be a fantastic opportunity for learning and community bonding.
HPV Vaccination: We will also be administering HPV vaccines to willing teenagers among the workshop participants.

Your generosity and goodwill drive these initiatives, making a tangible difference in our community.

Thank You: We deeply appreciate your support and encourage you to consider donating again. Your contributions empower us to provide more resources and organize additional workshops in the near future.

Thank you once again for your invaluable help.

Warm regards,

Alejandro Pizarro

EcoSwell Community Health Worker Program

Local staff and medical electives working together

Dentistry students Mhairi and Aspen having a blast

Med elective Izzie taking care of local patient

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