This project helps children to improve their living condition in Cerro de Pasco. The level of lead poisoning and other metals is three times as the levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization. We will address this issue in two ways: 1) free medical consults to measure lead levels in children and 2) a community center where adults can receive training on how to avoid and address health issues related to lead poisoning, and where children can have a safe place to spend their time.
Cerro de Pasco is a mining town with high levels of environmental pollution and air contamination. Research shows that 9 out of 10 children suffer high levels of lead in their blood which crosses the 10 mg/dl permitted by the WHO. Open extraction of metals in the city center, close to schools and homes poisons the drinking water. Exposure to lead and dust causes headaches and loss of appetite and concentration in children, and leads to many severe developmental consequences.
Medical consults will help detect the level of poisoning of children who live in poverty and can't afford it. In the community center we will offer different activities to empower the children to improve their living conditions and also have the possibility to spend their free time at a save place where they can play, and also learn more about pollution and contamination. With the help of doctors and nutritionists parents will be trained on preventing and addressing these health conditions.
Lead and heavy metal pollution is not a health priority, so this project aims to draw public attention with the results of the diagnoses that will be conducted through this project. Results will be presented to the Ministry of Health, as well as the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Population. We will create an evidence-based policy for the prevention of pollution of lead and other metals and while increasing international attention to help the children in Paragsha, Cerro de Pasco, Peru.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
