La Zarzalosa is located in central Honduras, and is about 7 kilometers from Talanga, where community members have access to the health center. People in La Zarzalosa are primarily dedicated to cattle raising, coffee growing, and day labor. Global Brigades is currently working with Public Health Brigades in La Zarzalosa, and implementation of other programs as part of Global Brigades’ strategic plan in Honduras has just begun.
Municipality: Talanga
Department: Francisco Morazan
La Zarzalosa does not have its own health center, but members of the commuity travel to a nearby community, Talanga, in order to get health care. There, the health center is a CESAMO, a larger scale health center where doctors and occasionally dentists are on staff. The most common illnesses are diabetes, arterial hypertension, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and fever.
La Zarzalosa has access to a total of 8 Community Health Workers (CHWs). Global Brigades is doing follow-up with the CHWs on a regular basis to support their work.
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 are identified by other organizations and some health centers, 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.
Medical Brigades have not yet begun in La Zarzalosa, but members of this partner community are able to attend Medical Brigades in nearby communities, including Las Casillas.
In 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 dentist within a reasonable distance.
BRIGADE INFORMATION:
Medical Brigades have not yet begun in La Zarzalosa, but members of this partner community are able to attend Medical Brigades in nearby communities, such as Las Casillas.
Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in La Zarzalosa, and is ready to begin working with the Engineering Program. Now in the planning phase, the evaluation of the community’s existing water system and design of any necessary improvements will take place in December 2018.
Brigade Volunteers
Beneficiaries
Kilometers of Pipeline Designed
Average Community Volunteers
| Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers | Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in La Zarzalosa, but has not yet begun with the Water Program. Now in the planning phase, the implementation of any improvements to the community’s existing water system will follow the Engineering Program’s assessment and start as soon as feasible.
Brigade Volunteers
Project Beneficiaries
Kilometers of Pipeline Installed
Storage Tank Volume (gallons)
| Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers | Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in La Zarzalosa but has not yet begun with the Business Program. Now in the planning phase, a community bank will be established as soon as feasible.
Brigade Volunteers
Loans Disbursed
Savings Accounts Opened
Capital Invested
| Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers | Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Many community members in La Zarzalosa lack the resources to make improvements to their household infrastructure. The majority of homes in La Zarzalosa are made of adobe. There are approximately 75 homes in La Zarzalosa, with approximately 375 people living in the community. Hygiene stations, which include showers and water storage units, are necessary to facilitate handwashing, allow water storage for hygienic processes, and offer privacy while bathing. Additionally, eco-stoves evacuate smoke from the living space and decrease the risk of respiratory illnesses, and latrines improve hygiene practices and prevent contamination of natural water sources caused by open defecation. By partnering with Global Brigades’ Public Health Program, La Zarzalosa‘s inhabitants are hoping to avoid preventable diseases and adopt proper hygiene and sanitation practices.
Brigade Volunteers
Latrines Constructed
Water Filters Delivered
| Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers | Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandeis University* | February 2017 | 22 | Georgetown University | March 2017 | 27 |
*Medical Brigades Chapter