Since graduation in May of 2018, the Tonacatepeque Community Health Workers (CHWs) in El Salvador have had two meetings to review material learned during training and learn new material. The topics covered in these meetings were stomach problems, such as vomiting and worms, and maternal health.

The CHWs have been working to organize a schedule to have specified service hours that each health worker is available. One easy way they have planned to be easily accessible to their congregation is through an assigned CHW being on site for  each church service or church event. As a group, they are working diligently to raise health awareness within their community through educating their community on disease prevention and utilizing life saving skills to assist others. They are involved with the congregation and the community by providing first aid after accidents occur, as well as giving preventive talks once a month.

Some of the patients that these CHWs have been able to help have been people who are very close to the CHWs, as was the case with a little girl named Sofia. Sofia is the daughter of one of the Community Health Workers that graduated from training this past May. She had suffered an accident in which she injured both of her wrists and her left forearm. Thanks to the excellent, urgent assistance and provided by the CHWs, the young girl is recovering quickly. Initially, doctors had discussed the possibility that Sofia may need to have an amputation, but, as CHW leader Xochitl stated, “God has the last word.” With treatment provided by the doctor, in addition to the quick response provided by the CHWs, Sofia’s hands have been restored.

– Victoria Ramos, MPH Intern, Liberty University