PROJECTS

 

THE ASSOCIATION’S PROJECTS

2.1 – TRAINING COURSE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATORS

This training Course was created in 1986 in São Paulo by the Rev. Barbara M. de Souza for the training of Community Health Educators, women with limited school education, to work in the poorer areas and shantytowns, where women had not had the access to preventative medicine. The idea was, that through the experiences during the Course as they practiced and taught others what they were learning, they would acquire the self esteem that would empower them not only to make changes in their lives but to become multipliers of this health knowledge in their own communities.

This training Course has spread to many areas of the State of São Paulo to other cities such as Recife, PE. in the northeast of Brasil, and now in Rio de Janeiro and the suburbs of Rio.

In the communities in Rio de Janeiro, the Course began in 1993 sponsored by ISER, the Institute of Religious Studies, the Women Theology and Citizenship project to which Rev. Barbara de Souza was assigned as missionary of Global Ministries, United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ. There are now 14 trained teachers and many Courses have been given in more than 11 suburbs.

RESULTS OF THE COURSE ( in the lives of the students):

This Course’s main objective was to empower women by raising their self esteem , using health education as the means, and this has made significant changes in the lives of the students, such as, more active participation in the communities where the women live, better chances of finding jobs in the health field thus helping their families financially.

And, last but by far not the least, giving them the incentive to get further education, finish grammar and high school education, taking professional training courses, and even seeking university education, exercising their rights to full citizenship

2.2 – PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM

The physical Therapy Program began as a volunteer service in 1997 for in this immediate area there is no such program.. This program’s objective, is to treat persons in the poorer communities in the area with various physical problems, such as work injuries, other accidents, stroke and other physical deficiencies. The Association currently attends to more than 150 persons per week. At the moment this program is not supported by the City Health System, but entirely by donations. It is hoped with the new facility in construction, the City will give some financial support for this needed treatment not available for the poorer communities such as Canal do Anil.