A group of eight of us traveled to Bolivia for a leadership tour. It was a whirlwind, with long flights and a short time in each site. We accomplished our goals! We introduced the work to new partners, a university in NC that wants to work with us and a nonprofit in a Philadelphia suburb that is already implementing our methodology, CBIO, to serve their community. Read more about CCATE (Suh-ka-tay) here.
Montero celebrates 30 years!
Our first stop was in Santa Cruz and Montero. American Airlines has stopped their service to La Paz. So instead we flew directly to Santa Cruz from Miami, just a 7 hour flight. We started with a tour of the clinics that are operated by CSRA. Then in the afternoon on Monday we went out into the field. We visited homes and saw the health workers in action. Because of them, lives are saved, unnecessary suffering is prevented.
A tag-team Doctor and Nurse go out three days a week, serving a high-need community of immigrants to the city from the rural areas. The cites are growing as the global population shift to urban areas also affects Bolivia. Many of these newcomers lack basic healthcare. These health workers are compensated by the government. In a true demonstration of sustainability, the Impact Global Health Alliance Global model was adopted at a national level across Bolivia.
Once the health workers return from the field, where they spend 70% of their time, they work with the data to ensure their maps and census are up to date. You can see their “Situation Room” with wall-to-wall community maps and data charts. Each doctor and nurse team is proud of the work they do in the community. These situation rooms are at each clinic. They are living the motto “prove it”.
Then, on Monday evening, a large crowd and the press came to celebrate Dr. Dardo Chavez and his wife Mirtma. They have both given their life to improving their community. It was incredible to see the community support, with over a dozen dignitaries speaking to a crowd of 150+ people.
Peace and wellbeing at 14,000 feet.
Next, we were off to the Mountains. In the La Paz sister city, El Alto (the high one), at over 14,000 feet above sea level, we met with the amazing “Mama Guias” or “Guiding Mothers”. These volunteers worked with their neighbor women to provide social support and build up family values. Likewise, there is a group of teens who work with other teens to stave off bullying, teenage pregnancy and improve health.
Our work with CSRA is more closely tied than ever. We are exploring research projects right now. We also have work teams that go to Bolivia through Impact Global Health Alliance Global. Finally, we have CSRA experts train our partners in Guatemala and in the US, as well as hopefully into Africa.
Leaders visit with a doctor who is doing a household visit in Montero, Bolivia.
In La Paz, Mama Guias (Guiding Mothers) volunteer their time to improve their community.
This is the situation room, where data for each doctor is stored.
Leaders from across the country came to learn about sustainability and data-driven community-centered health.
Government supported doctor and map of the community she is responsible for.
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Please join us in serving our neighbors here. Check out how you can get involved and upcoming dates.
