Over the past two months, our Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been working diligently—hosting community events, educating neighbors, responding to local health concerns, and demonstrating creativity and commitment. Whether it’s tackling mosquito-borne diseases, helping at local clinics, or finding new ways to visibly represent their role, these CHWs continue to be the first line of health support in their communities. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to:
Las Negritas, El Salvador: Community Event (April 10, 2025)
The Las Negritas Community Health Workers (CHWs) rallied together with community members, church members, and children from the local school to work together to clean their community. The groups worked to pick up trash, organize recycling, and clean common spaces. This initiative not only beautified the area but also helped prevent diseases by removing trash and standing water that attract mosquitoes.
Ojo de Agua, El Salvador: Community Event (May 20, 2025)
The CHWs of Ojo de Agua hosted an “Abatización” campaign, creating and distributing mosquito-killing treatment bags to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. They went house to house to ensure proper use, showcasing a proactive approach to fighting mosquitos.
El Jute, El Salvador: Monthly Meetings (April & May 2025)
In April, CHWs in El Jute met to discuss asthma and allergies and raised concern over an uptick in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease among children. In May, they focused on personal hygiene—covering handwashing, skin infections, and household cleanliness. In both meetings, CHWs reported taking community members’ blood pressure and helping others recognize common symptoms of illness.
Gwanda T-Shirt Distribution (May 29, 2025)
The Zimbabwe CHWs have been asking for more identification to help them while they work in their communities. While in Zimbabwe in April for their Advanced Nutrition Certification, we were able to design and order t-shirts for them. The shirts were finally delivered! These shirts help legitimize their presence and reinforce their role as trusted health leaders in their neighborhoods.
Looking Ahead
These snapshots show what’s possible when CHWs are equipped, empowered, and trusted by their communities. From tackling disease outbreaks to supporting clinic operations and creating healthier environments, their ripple effect is undeniable. As we move into summer, we look forward to continued momentum—and to celebrating more CHW wins with you along the way.
Each month, we celebrate the continued dedication of International HELP’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) around the world. From tackling health misinformation to providing critical education and referrals, CHWs are bringing lasting change to their communities–one conversation, one training, one life at a time. In this update, we’re highlighting powerful stories and progress from El Salvador, Haiti, and Honduras during February and March 2025.
El Jute, El Salvador: Monthly Meeting (February 19,2025)
The El Jute CHW group met on February 19 to explore two critical topics: substance abuse and domestic violence. Alongside the training, the group hosted a unique and joyful community activity.
Group leader Xiomara shared: “I would like to inform you that today we had a get-together and the monthly meeting at the same time, it was nice. I also did an experiment where we took blood pressure before and after running. Each person also brought a fruit to share with the children who were there.”
The group also completed their biannual survey. Here’s what we learned:
Motivated to Share: CHWs are driven by a strong desire to help others and ensure that their communities are well-informed about health topics.
Facing Challenges: Some CHWs report difficulty earning trust due to not being doctors or nurses, and others face limited access to supplies like medications or nebulizers.
Personal Growth: Many CHWs shared that they’ve changed their own health habits—reading food labels, practicing better hygiene, and incorporating exercise into their routines.
Need for Continued Support: CHWs expressed a desire for additional training, resources, and ongoing encouragement from IHELP.
Carrefour, Haiti: Monthly Meetings (Jan, Feb, & Mar 2025)
Our CHWs in Carrefour met throughout the first three months of the year to address key health topics with their communities:
January: The group held conversations around mental health—specifically stress, anxiety, and depression.
February: Training topics included blood pressure management, fever, and hygiene.
March: CHWs facilitated conversations on menstruation and menopause.
Across these three months, the active CHWs in Haiti reported reaching nearly 4,700 individuals with health support, including education and referrals related to fever, flu, diarrhea, anemia, and more.
In March, the group completed their biannual CHW survey. Highlights include:
A 25% increase in CHWs who feel fully equipped to answer health-related questions—an encouraging sign of growing confidence and knowledge.
100% of CHWs now report feeling motivated to improve their community’s health—up from 94% in June 2024.
New CHW trainees have begun participating, signaling both expansion and community excitement around the program.
Nueva Esperanza, Honduras: Community Event (March 26, 2025)
In honor of World Tuberculosis Day, CHWs in Nueva Esperanza took part in a community walk and health fair on March 26. The event included health education talks, medical consultations, blood pressure and glucose checks, fluoride application, and vaccinations.
One of our CHWs, Waldina, proudly joined the walk with her child—who even made a sign to raise awareness about TB. These kinds of public events help reinforce the visibility of CHWs and provide tangible support and education to the broader community. We’re so proud of our CHWs for taking active roles in events like this that center community health and prevention.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the next quarter, we’re excited to continue equipping Community Health Workers (CHWs) with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to serve their communities. In the months ahead, we’ll be supporting advanced trainings, evaluating impact through follow-ups, and welcoming new CHWs into our growing global network.
Stay tuned for more stories of transformation, resilience, and community-led health!
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re thrilled to reflect on the incredible work our Community Health Workers (CHWs) have accomplished. Their dedication to improving health outcomes and fostering resilience in their communities continues to inspire us. Below are highlights from July through December, showcasing their impactful initiatives across the globe:
Metapán Red Cross, El Salvador (July 2024)
CHWs responded to an emergency in Canton San Miguel, where a woman who had just given birth was attended to and safely transferred to the hospital in Metapán. Their swift action underscores the critical role CHWs play in emergencies.
Nueva Esperanza, Honduras (July 2024)
At their monthly meeting, CHWs discussed cancer prevention and emphasized early detection and vaccination. CHW Olivia reflected: “It was very important to learn about exams to avoid uterine cancer and how crucial it is to vaccinate girls at age 11 to prevent HPV.”
Gwanda, Zimbabwe (July, August, September & December 2024)
Government Collaboration:
Supported drought relief by identifying vulnerable groups, including the elderly, orphans, and people with disabilities, for aid distribution amid El Niño-induced food shortages.
Community Engagement:
Participated in national cleanup and tree-planting days, as well as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
CHW Success Stories:
Kimberley hosted breast cancer awareness campaigns at her school for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Elizabeth led awareness campaigns on elephantiasis and TB screening.
Alice worked with local gold miners to screen for TB and HIV while sharing vital health knowledge.
Thato conducted door-to-door campaigns on child immunization and vital signs checkups.
CHWs collectively addressed pregnancy monitoring, HIV testing, drug abuse awareness, and immunization efforts.
Las Negritas, El Salvador (August 2024)
CHWs led efforts to combat a dengue outbreak by fumigating mosquito breeding grounds, clearing stagnant water and trash, and educating families about prevention. Their leadership galvanized schools, clinics, and neighbors to join the fight, halting the spread of disease and protecting countless lives.
Mukono District, Uganda (October 2024)
CHWs performed MUAC screenings for children, going door-to-door to identify and refer cases of malnutrition, ensuring timely care for those in need.
El Sunza, El Salvador (July & November 2024)
July: Conducted Abatización campaigns for mosquito control and mammography exams for cancer screening.
November: Partnered with a local clinic to host a Kidney Health Fair, offering reduced-price creatinine tests and leading talks on blood sugar, blood pressure, and wellness.
Carrefour, Haiti (July & December 2024)
Youth health education took center stage as group leader Fritznel taught blood pressure monitoring to a group of school children.
Additionally, in December, CHWs participated in soft-skills training on leadership, conflict resolution, and event planning. They are preparing for a January community health event to promote behavior change.
Looking Ahead: 2025
We’re excited to launch regular blog updates, sharing the incredible work of our CHWs in real-time. Their passion and commitment inspire us, and we look forward to supporting their efforts to create healthier, more resilient communities in the coming year.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for partnering with us to empower CHWs worldwide!