El Cacao

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Engineering
  • Water
  • Business
  • Public Health

Overview

El Cacao is located within the municipality of Danli in the department of El Paraiso in southern Honduras. The typical house in this community is made of adobe and mud. The community members work in agriculture and other activities to sustain themselves, the children have access to a primary school only and if they want to continue with upper education, they have to travel to the nearest city or community. Currently, the community has a water system that was built in 1686 and needs improvement. The top needs expressed by El Cacao‘s inhabitants during their initial communications with Global Brigades are building a water system, improving healthcare access, and public health projects.

Municipality: Danli
Department: El Paraiso

Homes : 142
Population : 750
Water System : No
Community Bank : Not Started
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : Yes
Community Health Workers : Yes
Homes with Latrines : 90%
Education : Up to primary school
Distance from Lodging Facility : 62 KM

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS

The Honduran government provides two different types of health centers throughout rural Honduras: Centros de Salud Médico Odontológico (CESAMOs) and Centros de Salud Rural (CESARs). CESAMOs are the larger of the two, often found in municipalities, and typically have at least one physician on staff at all times with nurses and potentially a dentist. CESARs are found sporadically in rural communities and generally have a single nurse available. Even with this coverage, it is important to note that medications, supplies, and materials are often not available in these health centers and the physician density in Honduras remains around 1,220 people for every one doctor. According to the World Health Organization, there should be a maximum of 435 people per physician to qualify a country as having adequate access to medical attention.

The community members of El Cacao have a healthcare centre within the community. Whenever they visit the healthcare centre, it is not always adequately staffed nor does it always have adequate medications in stock. The most common illnesses children face are parasites and respiratory issues. The most common illnesses seen in adults are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Distance from Nearest Health Center : 1 KM
Community Health Workers : Active Implementation
Common Illnesses in Children : Parasites and respiratory issues
Common Illnesses in Adults : Diabetes and high blood pressure

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

El Cacao has access to two Community Health Workers (CHWs) who are currently being trained by Global Brigades. When the training concludes, they will be able to provide basic medical aid to community members from Condega and nearby communities. 

Community Health Workers, or Guardianes de Salud, work on a volunteer basis as advocates for health care within their communities. While this is an existing program in Honduras and Guardianes de Salud is identified by other organizations and some health centres, Global Brigades is able to bridge gaps in access to training and provide more comprehensive technical skills. Our CHWs are some of the very few Guardianes de Salud to receive certification from the Honduran government. Our CHWs are tasked with treating and preventing common illnesses, and some of their responsibilities include first aid, supporting and caring for pregnancies and newborns, and responding to emergency situations.

They are also responsible for following up with chronic patients to ensure proper administration of medications and treatments to avoid further complications. Additionally, CHWs provide support for brigades that are hosted in their area. At the completion of their training, CHWs are equipped with basic medical supplies and equipment provided by Global Brigades and its partners. The presence of these volunteers and their advocacy for health within their community contributes to the sustainability of health care supported by Global Brigades’ Medical Program and is one of the most impactful disease prevention strategies in rural communities across the globe.

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE ACCESS

Working closely with the Medical Program, the Dental Program provides fillings, extractions, and fluoride treatments as a standard part of Medical Brigades. Most community members do not have regular access to dental care due to the lack of a dentist within a reasonable distance.

Engineering

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in El Cacao but has not yet begun with the Engineering Program. Now in the planning phase, a reliable source of clean water will be identified as soon as feasible, followed by the design of a water solution sufficient to meet the community’s needs for the next 20 years with projected population growth.

Water System : Yes
Type of System : Well / groundwater
% Homes with Access to Water : 0%
Water Council : Yes
Number of Members : 7

Water

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Condega but has not yet begun with the Water Program. Now in the planning phase, the Water Program will begin implementing a new water system following the Engineering Program’s evaluation and recommendations.

Water System : Yes
Type of System : Well / groundwater
% Homes with Access to Water : N/A
Water Council : Yes
Number of Members : 7

Business

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in El Cacao but has not yet begun with the Business Program. Now in the planning phase, a community bank will be established as soon as feasible.

Community Bank : Not Started
Community Bank Members : N/A
Economic Activities : Agriculture
Existing Microenterprises : Mini market

Public Health

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in El Cacao and the Public Health Program has already begun with the design of a health action plan. Now in the action phase, the installation of household health infrastructure products will start as soon as feasible.

% Homes with Latrines : 90%
% Homes with Eco-Stoves : 50%
% Homes with Water FIlters : 19%
% Homes with concrete floors : 19%
Common House Materials : Adobe and mud

Legal Empowerment

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in El Cacao but has not yet begun with the Legal Empowerment Program. Now in the planning phase, our team will visit the community as soon as feasible to identify potential cases.

Legal needs in the community : Land titles
Legal support access in the community : N/A

Local Reference Points

View the map to see the closest volunteer lodging facilities, hospitals, and other relevant points of reference.

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