Empowering Indigenous Youth for a Healthy Future

After months spent tirelessly developing curriculum, the Rising Minds team has finally launched it’s In-School Health Training Campaign to Empower Maya Indigenous Youth for a Healthy Future. Once a week, Hilda, our community health educator, who was featured in our previous report, delivers a health training to the 75 students, between the ages of 1.5 and  years old, of our partner preschool in San Juan La Laguna, surrounding our three main themes; disease prevention, nutrition, and mental health.  Each training works to address specific objectives within these themes. Furthermore, each training is accompanied by a hands-on activity or D.I.Y. element, which is always affordable and sustainable.

Our first unit is disease prevention and who knew learning about microorganisms could be so fun? The first 3 trainings focused on the three types of microbes; virus, bacteria, and fungus. While looking at cartoon depictions of the microbes, discussions were had about where we can find these microbes, how they can be transmitted, and how we can prevent the transmission of these “scary monsters.” These trainings culminated in students making their own microbes using crayon, tissue paper, play dough, the imaginations, and by drawing upon what they learned.

The next set of trainings focused on beneficial microorganisms. The students learned that there are several microbes that can actually be good for us, like yeast and “flor de vinagre.” A live flor de vinagre captured the attention of students while they discussed its ability to be used as a medicinal remedy. This fungus grows in vinegar and can be applied to the skin to help heal cuts and scrapes.

We will continue to spend the next few months on the disease prevention unit. Upcoming trainings include learning the basics of washing hands and making our own hand-sanitizer. As we complete the transition of our Educational Garden from San Pedro to San Juan, we are all super excited to host some of our trainings from the nutrition unit in our new space!