Based on comprehensive community health profiles, Rising Minds has designed a multidimensional, action-based health training initiative targeting the most at-risk population in Guatemala- indigenous children. This initiative will work across five schools to provide weekly trainings surrounding health, nutrition and illness prevention to over 200 indigenous children between the ages of 2-13.
Guatemala suffers from some of the highest rates of malnutrition and child mortality in Latin America. Preventable diseases contribute to Guatemala's infant mortality rates; the third highest in Central America and the Caribbean. A lack of engaging education and replicable tools are at the crux of the health-issues facing Guatemala. Health education, if existent at all, is often one-dimensional, focusing on the problems without providing accessible, affordable tools to combat or prevent them.
Rising Minds is providing participatory-based, hands-on trainings across five schools to 200 students between the ages of 2-13. All trainings are facilitated by local community health workers who speak the local Mayan dialect, understand the cultural norms and have rapport within the community to affect change. Additionally, students will learn about growing foods with high nutritional value, while using sustainable gardening techniques, by helping to maintain their in-school gardens.
This program unites health educators, students, and parents to build a solid foundation of nutrition, hygiene, physical and mental health knowledge. This style of education teamed with replicable action will help alleviate the epidemic of malnutrition and preventable diseases facing indigenous children and their families. As a result of these comprehensive trainings students will be equipped with the skills and power to achieve a healthy future.
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