Fabretto Children's Health Blog

Adios from the field

2010-07-20T15:36:00.002-05:00

Hello all,
First, I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the Special Cases Program. There have been many. Thanks to you, we have reached dozens of children and brought attention to a neglected problem.

Now the sad news. After three years working for Fabretto in Nicaragua, I am headed back to the US. I will be starting a program in the fall at the University of North Carolina (specifically an MPH in Health Behavior/Health Education). I love working in health, especially among disadvantaged populations, and hope that this will help me do a better job.

Fear not, however! The works goes on! In addition to the wonderful staff at Fabretto, which includes doctors, health promoters and health coordinators, we have a new volunteer who will take over many of the responsibilities of the Special Health Cases Program. Matt Wesley, a Fulbright scholar whose focus is water and health, has agreed to look after Gabriel, Fatima and others, as well as take on new cases. Hopefully he will be updating this blog too!

So, again, thank you all for you help and support. I know we've accomplished some great things, and I'm happy to see that this program has developed a level of sustainability hard to imagine a year ago.

Saludos,
Mike Zelek
mlzelek@gmail.com

Gabriel's Adoptive family receives freezer

2010-07-20T15:30:00.003-05:00

Although Tona and Santos, who have taken in Gabriel and his mother, give generously to their home's newest residents, money is tight. Santos has been without a job for weeks after the store for which he worked selling ice cream stopped selling it. In order to help the family and give Santos a steady source of work, we purchased a freezer for Santos, graciously funded by Tin Roof Foundation (www.tinroof.org). Now, the ice cream business is in Santos' hands, offering bigger profits and responsibility. Another family in town has agreed to leave the freezer in their house, as the electricity in Santos' house is not adequate. We hope that, with the generated income, Santos will be able to provide for his household's many member.

Oh, and we chipped in for the first batch of ice cream too. Yum!

Final Faces

2010-07-20T15:22:00.004-05:00

Shots from trip to the communities today while dropping off some goods.

Martin (left) in front of house; Anselmo (middle) plays with doctor toy; Fatima (right) has a new haircut

Anselmo with siblings (left); Fatima with family (right)

Fabretto Cusmapa Volunteer: Margarita

2010-07-16T12:07:00.002-05:00

Using the same funding that helped Justina and other volunteer mothers, Margarita now has running water in her house! She is very appreciative of Fabretto's work and donor's support, expressing gratitude for not having to walk daily to a well to get water. Margarita and the 4 other women who received help to improve their homes are all thankful for the help they received, and we are happy to have been able to better their living conditions.

Margarita at Fabretto center (left); New pipe connecting Margarita's house to the water line

Fabretto Cusmapa Volunteer: Justina

2010-07-16T11:21:00.002-05:00

Justina Cadena, a mother in Cusmapa who volunteers daily at the center making tortillas, recently received 5 zinc sheets to build a roof for her new house. Justina is in the process of acquiring other materials for her house and this zinc, the most expensive part, will help her greatly.

This donation was made possible using the same funding that has helped the other volunteers improve their homes.

Justina at Fabretto Center, Cusmapa

Midyear Report

2010-07-15T11:12:00.002-05:00

To inform you of the children with which we've worked this year and all the work we've done so far, I've created a midyear report. In this, you will find a breakdown of most of the cases, what the funds have been used on and a couple profiles of individual children (probably very familiar to those who read the blog). Feel free to check it out at the link below!

http://sites.google.com/site/fabrettohealth/midyear-report

Blankets and more!

2010-07-12T12:35:00.002-05:00

A quick summary of recent events (pictures to come):
-6 blankets were handed out to expecting/new mothers in the maternity ward in Cusmapa
-5 mothers who volunteer in the Fabretto center in Cusmapa received funds to improve their homes thanks to a kind donation
-3 women received roofs
-1 woman now has running water in her house
-1 woman has a local store, a bed and will hopefully have a new house
-Gabriel bounced back from a bout with diarrhea and is back to his giddy ways
-A rainwater catchment system is being installed in the Fabretto center
-Students from St Matthew's School in New Jersey installed sinks in the Fabretto center. Now, students will have a place to wash their hands before lunch.

Thanks to all those who helped!

Sayra

2010-07-02T16:31:00.002-05:00

Sayra is responsible for making tortillas for 300 children and teachers in the Fabretto center. Because she is a young, single mother, she has trouble making ends meet at home. She lives with her parents, though her father often comes home drunk at night and kicks her and her son out of the house. Furthermore, her sister Janet is extremely sick, suffering from a lung infections for the past year. She recently was released from the hospital and returned to Cusmapa.

Sayra's sister's child is also anemic and so I've decided to include them all in the special health cases program.

Recently, we helped purchase fortified milk for Janet, who could not eat solid foods. We have also funded a shop (pictured below) to help them earn money to build their own house. Combining the money they earn from the store with the kind donation for volunteers, we will be close to having enough money to build Sayra, Janet and their children a house. We also gave Sayra a mattress for her and her son.

Sayra's bed in her parent's house (left); Sayra poses in front of store (right)

Alba Luz and Ermelinda

2010-07-01T15:35:00.003-05:00

Alba helps out in the kitchen at the Fabretto center, assisting with food preparation and cleaning. Ermelinda is in charge of cleaning the entire center, including the office and bathrooms. Together, they are incredibly important to the daily operations of the center. However, since both live on very little and have multiple children, it is difficult for them to pay for home repairs.

Thanks to the donation mentioned below, both women received 5 zinc sheets for their roofs. These will be very useful this rainy season as both women complained of large amounts of water entering their homes. We are happy to serve these women and their families!

Alba Luz with 2 of her daughters (left); Ermelinda poses in her house (right)

Part of Alba Luz's roof was in need of repairs (left); The two women with daughters and new zinc

Cusmapa volunteer mothers

2010-07-01T15:29:00.002-05:00

Thanks to a kind donation by a close friend, we've been able to help out the 5 mothers who volunteer in the Fabretto center in Cusmapa. Although they work daily preparing food, cleaning the center and washing dishes, they receive little compensation, usually just monthly supplies of food. As a thank you for the hard work they put in for the children, and understanding the tough situations they face at home (2 are single mothers), we decided to help them improve their homes. I will profile each woman in the following entries.

Anselmo gets a filtron

2010-06-12T11:49:00.002-05:00

Anselmo Galo, a malnourished three year old from Angel 3, received a filtron yesterday at his house. His mother saved up money for weeks to pay the small fee (in her case about $1.50), and now Anselmo and his siblings will have clean water. Anselmo often has parasites because of poor water quality, so this will greatly improve his, and his family's, health.

In total, around 20 filtrones were distributed yesterday, bringing the total for this round of distribution to over 200.

Anselmo, mom and brother in front of house with filtron

Figura's room complete!

2010-06-12T11:45:00.003-05:00

After months of planning and construction, Figura's new room is ready for her! The door and window (made in Fabretto's woodshop) were added over the last couple days, and Figura's bed will be moved in shortly. We are happy she finally has her own place to live, and that Tona, the house's owner, will have a little bit more room in her already full bedroom.

Figura's new room, measuring at about 21 ft x14 ft

New Gabriel video

2010-05-27T14:42:00.004-05:00

Doug Cushnie's Gabriel video is now ready! It's definitely worth checking out. Special thanks to Doug for his hard work putting it together.

Watch video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtBOjQmav-M

Lucy Aguilera Guzman

2010-05-26T12:17:00.002-05:00

While playing with friends in March, Lucy was pushed off a platform and landed with her arm pinned down behind her. Although no bones broke, some were actually exposed and ligaments were torn at her elbow. We went down to the community where she's from to tell her parents, and then got both Lucy and her father to the hospital in Somoto within a couple hours. After a 6 hour long surgery that was performed partly with light from a cell phone after power went out and the generator failed, Lucy's arm was stitched back together.

She recently removed the wrappings that covered her arm for 2 months, and has regained much of the strength in her lower arm. We have taken her to the hospital several times for check-ups and provided medical and basic supplies for her and her family. Her father constantly expresses gratitude for the work Fabretto has done for her daughter.

Lucy is now back in class and should not miss this year of school. We are happy to see that she has recovered so well.

Lucy in Cusmapa (left); Lucy's arm as of yesterday (5/25)

Filtron Project resumes, reaches more families

2010-05-25T12:40:00.004-05:00

The filtron water filter project has returned to Cusmapa, and the preliminary results are in. After success in 3 communities last year, we resumed the project and distributed filtrones to families in over 10 communities during the past week. More than 200 families have received filtrones so far, and we will continue distributing until we reach our project phase goal of 300. Some walked hours to get to distribution points, crossing through rivers that reached their chests. Although each filtron costs about $28, residents paid just under $2 each.

Students from Rice University, MIT and UNC-Charlotte were responsible for distributing the filtrones and sampling water in the communities.

UNC Charlotte students organizing filtrones in Chilamatal (left); Limones residents cross swollen river with filtron

Putting the Final Coat on Figura's Room

2010-05-18T16:39:00.002-05:00

Some entertaining shots of Santos and his son, Lenin, finishing up the room.

Procosan Training Begins

2010-05-18T12:05:00.004-05:00

This week, Fabretto staff is being trained in the methodology of PROCOSAN (Programa comunitario de Salud y Nutricion). They will learn how to monitor the health of children under two. They will then train local community health workers on how to implement the program, which involves monthly weighing of all children under 2 and individual consultation with mothers of malnourished children.

Dr Marta teaches Fabretto staff

A week in photos

2010-05-14T14:38:00.005-05:00

Here are some shots of the past week or so.

Martin Diaz in school with classmates; Anselmo Galo in front of house (5/14/2010)

Transfiguracion Maradiaga's room nearly complete; Transfiguracion's son Gabriel rides goat (5/10/2010)

Expecting mothers receive blankets at the maternity house (5/5/2010); Cristina of La Fuente shows off filtron (5/4/2010)

Fabretto Cusmapa Center Director Theo Lopez with young coffee plant on Fabretto farm Los Mogotes (5/4/2010)

Anselmo Josue Galo Diaz

2010-05-07T16:08:00.001-05:00

Anselmo, a three year old from Angel 3, a community outside Cusmapa, suffers from parasites and malnutrition. At three years old, he weighs 25 pounds, putting him in the bottom 5th percentile for boys his age. Dr Bustillo checked him out and gave him vitamins and medicine for his cold, and we bought some soy and other nutritious food for him and his family.

One of the problems Anselmo, and many other children in this area face is that their family's crops lack diversity. They have beans, but don't grow rice. Beans alone are not a complete protein so the children become malnourished. We often talk to parents about the importance of sending their children to class or preschool. It's not just education, it's also getting our daily lunch. We've designed it to give these children the protein and other nutrients they need but don't receive at home. We told Anselmo's mom the same. She says she doesn't send him but he's sick, but he's sick so often because he's malnourished because he's not getting the school lunch. Hopefully she will understand the importance.

Anselmo in the Fabretto office, Cusmapa

Meet the Children: Fatima Ruiz Mendez

2010-05-04T18:12:00.002-05:00

Meet Fatima! An 11 year old from Angel 1, Cusmapa. She is recovering from malnutrition. Here is her story.

Figura's new home

2010-04-30T11:05:00.002-05:00

Gabriel's mom, Transfiguracion (Figura), will soon have her own space attached to Tona's house. Here's where it stood as of Tuesday (though construction continued today). This will help both Tona, whose house is pretty small, and Figura, who will finally have a room to herself. And all for around $200!

New room in the works

Fatima's back in school

2010-04-28T13:25:00.003-05:00

Fatima Mendez is now a full-time student! Today I looked at her attendance data. After attending only 4 of 33 classes in February and March due to her illnesses, she had perfect attendance in April! Her teacher is amazed at her recovery and told me today that Fatima is "muy inteligente." Furthermore, she now weighs about 20% more than she did just 2 months ago.

Fatima's New House

2010-04-26T13:02:00.002-05:00

Fatima's dad, Benito, has made a great deal of progress on his family's home. Taking over from where Canterbury School left off, he has nearly finished all the walls. His family now has about 4 times more space than before (old house pictured below). He just has to lay a couple layers of adobe bricks and seal the walls. We are happy to see he has put such hard work into improving the living conditions of his children.

Before: Fatima's house earlier this year (left); After: Fatima's house as of April 26 (right)

Fatima's family's new house, nearly completed

In other house-building news, we have begun construction on Transfiguracion's (Gabriel's mom) room that will be attached to Tona's house. 12 volunteers and a contractor worked all day Saturday to lay the foundation. Tomorrow, the first 4 layers of adobe bricks will go up. We hope to be finished within a week or so! Pictures to come.

Meet the Children: Gabriel Maradiaga

2010-04-15T16:35:00.002-05:00

Meet Gabriel! A 5 year old who is recovering from malnutrition. He currently lives in Cusmapa with his adoptive mother, Tona (feature in the video), her family and his biological mother, Transfiguracion. We are currently planning the construction of an additional room for Transfiguracion.

Meet the Children: Videos

2010-04-15T16:32:00.002-05:00

For those who have not had the opportunity to meet the children we work with personally, as well as for those who are anxious to see the kids again, I'm working on videos of many of the kids. Please visit the blog in the coming days to see a few cases.

Ministry of Family rules to keep Gabriel, Mother with adoptive Family

2010-04-13T13:41:00.004-05:00

In a meeting with the Ministry of the Family last week, Gabriel's biological father showed up for the first time in three attempts, then left early. The Ministry was planning on sending Gabriel with his father that day to live. Of course, we were all opposed to that decision and loudly expressed our opinion to those in charge. Gabriel's father, however, showed no interest in his son during the meeting and they decided that the best solution was for Gabriel and his biological mother to continue living with Tona and her family. Tona graciously accepted the burden, even though the family can barely support itself without 2 new members. Figura, Gabriel's mother, is helping with chores and Tona is teaching her how to be a mother. We are helping with expenses and trying to make the house more adequate for its new residents. On Saturday, we dropped off a bed (pictured below) made in our Fabretto woodshop at their home, as Figura had been sleeping on the floor. We are also planning to fund the construction of a new room where Figura will sleep. All of these expenses are covered by child case money raised through your donations, so thank you to all who have helped!

Gabriel with Tona (left) and biological mother Figura; Gabriel enjoys his comfy new bed (right)

Gabriel takes a victory lap to celebrate the Ministry of the Family's decision (left); Gabriel loves mirrors

Juan Eduardo Bayadarez

2010-04-07T10:19:00.003-05:00

At the request of a local teacher, we visited Juan Eduardo, a 17 month old from Mojon, yesterday at his home. Juan's mother died giving birth to him and he now lives with his grandmother. Unfortunately, given the family's limited resources, it is hard for his grandmother to purchase the fortified milk he needs. She also has another son who suffers from cerebral palsy and needs constant attention. We were able to provide a 2 month's supply of powdered fortified milk and other supplies and will continue to monitor his health.

Juan Eduardo Bayadarez with family member

Kitchen knives, blankets given out

2010-04-05T17:14:00.004-05:00

Thanks to a donation by Debbie Collazo, kitchen knives were handed out to 32 mothers attending a training session on early child development. Fabretto doctor Victor Bustillo led the tutorial that focused on health and education. In the afternoon, all mothers present received kitchen knives, something that most kitchens in the communities of Cusmapa lack. In addition, 4 blankets were given out randomly to mothers.

Doctor Bustillo shows mothers child stimulation techniques (left); Mothers participate in team-building activity (right)

Mothers show off new kitchen knives (left); 4 mothers have new blankets for their babies (right)

Budding Filmmaker Doug Cushnie Films Child Cases

2010-04-05T10:55:00.006-05:00

Film student Doug Cushnie spent a few days in Nicaragua filming Fabretto programs for an upcoming film about Fabretto's work. While in Cusmapa, Doug was able to meet and talk to Fatima, Gabriel and Martin and capture their stories. We're excited to see the final project.

Doug with Gabriel and Tona (left); Doug shows video to Fatima's siblings (right)

Canterbury School builds house pictures

2010-04-05T10:43:00.006-05:00

Here are some shots of Canterbury students working hard on Fatima's house.

Students preparing foundation for wall (left); Fatima's Family (right, photo by Doug Cushnie)

Fatima's dad working on adobe wall (left, photo by Doug Cushnie); Contractor Roger Artola (on roof) directs workers (right)

Also, here's a link of a video of the project put together by Amy Omana:
https://www.cbury.org/podium/tools/SlideShow.aspx?a=117906

Canterbury School helps Fatima's Family build House

2010-03-27T14:02:00.002-06:00

This past week, students from Canterbury High School in Connecticut spent two days working with Fatima's father, Benito, on the family's improved house. They were able to put up the entire roof and one adobe brick wall... not bad for 2 days! Benito continues to work on the house and hopefully it will be done quickly. Pictures and more info to come.

Eye Exams Given to Students

2010-03-17T11:13:00.003-06:00

Fabretto doctors and staff are giving free eye exams to students in all Fabretto centers and affiliated schools this month, over 6000 in total. With help from VOSH International, we will be getting glasses and eye treatment for students with eye problems. Here's a short video (shot with the new Flip camera!) of some preliminary screenings.

Gabriel's Adoptive Mother

2010-03-15T10:25:00.004-06:00

Tona Ramirez, Gabriel Maradiaga's adoptive mother, has welcomed Gabriel into her home as her own child. It is amazing to see the strides Gabriel has made in such a short period of time. He is chubbier, happier and more energetic than last year. Although we continue to help with fortified milk and basic goods, the family has taken on almost the entire financial burden of having another child. In a meeting last week with the wife of Gabriel's biological father, Tona insisted that the best option for Gabriel was with her and will fight to keep him. We will continue to fight for the same cause.

Fatima returns home

2010-03-04T11:06:00.003-06:00

After 2 weeks in the Somoto hospital, Fatima and her father were thrilled yesterday to return home. Although Fatima still has a long way to go, she looks healthier, more energetic and happier. Her father is also determined to improve both his house and the garden. Fatima promised me she would be in class today. We will continue to check in on the family and look forward to working with them to improve their living conditions.

Fatima outside of Cusmapa health center (left); Fatima at home with family (right)

Gabriel Video

2010-03-03T15:24:00.001-06:00

Nutrition Workshop for Young Mothers, Fabretto Staff

2010-03-03T11:04:00.003-06:00

Thanks to nutritionist Viji Jain and Courtney Tamimie of the National Soy Research Lab at the University of Illinois, we were able to hold 3 training sessions on nutrition in Cusmapa this week. In the first workshop, Viji taught around 30 young mothers about nutritional needs throughout the life cycle, including dietary requirements for pregnant and lactating women. The following day, she trained 40 Fabretto staff members on identifying the symptoms of malnutrition. Rural high school teachers will use this information to take on an increased role in monitoring our special child cases. With their help, we will be able to reach more children and check in on them more frequently.

Participating mothers at the first workshop (left); Mothers learn how to prepare textured soy protein (right)

Fabretto staff after learning about malnutrition

Fatima Ruiz Mendez Update

2010-03-01T12:04:00.004-06:00

Fatima of Angel 1 continues to improve. She has been suffering from the effects of chronic anemia and has spent the last 2 weeks in the hospital. Her skin has improved significantly and, though she is anxious to get back home, the food and milk the hospital provides her is necessary to her recovery. We are also monitoring the family's situation back in Angel 1 as the father is concerned for their well-being because of his extended time away from home.

Fatima with father Benito in the Somoto Hospital

Blankets for Everyone!

2010-02-19T12:13:00.003-06:00

Some beneficiaries of the "Blankets for Everyone" Program.

Fatima receives treatment in Somoto Hospital

2010-02-19T10:05:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, two Fabretto doctors and I went to Angel 1 to visit Fatima (from the most recent entry). She continues to miss class likely due to malnutrition and related illnesses. We took her and her father to Cusmapa and this morning she was transferred to the hospital in Somoto to visit a pediatrician (there are none in the Cusmapa health center). Fabretto staff in Somoto are monitoring the case and bringing Fatima whatever the doctors request for her. We are also working with SAT high school students and teachers to check in on Fatima and her family, help with the garden for which we provided supplies and work with the family to improve their house.

Fatima and her mother in the Fabretto doctor's office in Cusmapa; Fatima's father works on new garden

Another Fatima

2010-02-11T08:25:00.005-06:00

We are monitoring the situation of Fatima, an 11-year old girl from Angel 1, Cusmapa who suffers from kwashiorkor, a type of malnutrition caused by protein deficiency. Fatima is the oldest of 6 children, living with her parents in the tiny, makeshift house pictured below. Her father recently spent a year in a Managua psychiatric hospital and has ongoing problems, preventing him from keeping steady work. Dr Bustillo has been evaluating Fatima's health and we are also keeping in mind that, given her condition, her siblings are at risk as well. We have also provided the family with provisions and tires to use for growing vegetables.

We are currently figuring out how to work with the family to improve living conditions, such as constructing adobe walls and adding a zinc roof.

Fatima's swollen cheeks are a symptom of malnutrition. Eight people live in the tiny plastic room pictured above.

Gabriel in new House

2010-02-09T08:21:00.000-06:00

Fatima returns to school

2010-02-06T12:31:00.003-06:00

This week, Fatima, along with most of the children in Cusmapa, returned to school as a second grader. After 2 years battling kidney problems and only occasionally being able to attend classes, Fatima is happy to be back. She says her teacher is very nice and is enjoying spending time with her classmates.

Maryuris and mother

2010-02-05T09:59:00.001-06:00

Photo taken in front of house, Mojon, Cusmapa (1/3/10) with some supplies

Gabriel celebrates 5th Birthday with new Family

2010-02-01T09:12:00.005-06:00

It's been a busy couple weeks for Gabriel Maradiaga. From earlier blog posts, you may remember that, though nearly 5 years old, Gabriel weighed only around 20 pounds and in every way resembled a 1.5 year old. His body and brain were so crippled by malnutrition (it appears he only ate tortillas, if anything) that he could often hardly walk and only spoke a few words. Around three weeks ago, he somehow wandered off from his mom's view and ended up spending the night in the woods, only to be found the next day one village over. After that, finding a substitute family for him became even more urgent.
The following week, the cousin with whom Gabriel lived with his mom, the heads of the ministries of the family and health, the vice-mayor, Fabretto doctor Victor Bustillo and I met to plan out the next steps. We all agreed he simply wasn't safe where he was. One day later, we headed down to El Mamey where he lived to take him back to Cusmapa. Although it was heart-wrenching to take Gabriel from his mother, we knew, given her mental disability and Gabriel's living conditions in that house, that it was the only option. The Ministry of the Family had already found a loving family willing to adopt him.
We arrived in Cusmapa about an hour later, fed Gabriel and then took him to meet his new parents. We also provided clothes, food, soap and other supplies to make sure the new family, itself quite poor, would have what it needed to care for him initially.
In daily visits to the house where Gabriel now lives, I see him improving constantly. He's a little fatter, his swollen belly has diminished, he has more energy and is always talking... or at least making noise. Furthermore, the parents treat him as one of their own children and his new siblings are reading to him.
Last Friday we celebrated his fifth birthday at my house. About 20 of his new relatives came to the party and it was evident that they all considered him family.
As I mentioned, it's been an intense few weeks, but I am hopeful he will continue to improve and develop. Thanks again to all those who have helped, including Tin Roof Foundation, who accompanied us on the trip to El Mamey and helped buy the clothing and other supplies for Gabriel. We will continue to provide food and supplies to the family for Gabriel and support him and his family in whatever way he can. Our work is far from over, but the last couple weeks have given us hope for a better future for Gabriel.

Gabriel eats cake with new mother Antonia and father Santos (left) and is held by new cousin Dariel (right) at party

Looks like the party was just a little too much fun for him.

Visit to Martin's House

2010-01-30T15:21:00.001-06:00

Along with two PSFP fellows of GlobeMed, I recently stopped by Martin Diaz's house to drop off some supplies and check in. Martin continues to recover from the tumor that nearly killed him and made it unlikely that he would ever walk. His legs are getting stronger, his parents continue to go through PT exercises with him, and he is spending more time on his feet every day. Within the next week or so, he will even return to school as a third grader!

Fatima gets purified water

2010-01-19T09:22:00.004-06:00

Fatima, who must adhere to a strict diet due to a kidney disease, recently received a filtron in her home. This will help ensure that the water she drinks is not contaminated and she and her sister Arlen are safe from water-borne illnesses.

Fatima and sister Arlen (left) with filtron in kitchen; Fatima's house remains unfinished (right)

Arlen holds the family chicken

Back in Nicaragua!

2010-01-10T21:16:00.001-06:00

Looking forward to a new year of challenges and opportunities.

New Year's Agenda

2010-01-04T11:18:00.003-06:00

Resolutions for 2010

-More kids, more healthcare

Reach new communities, find new children in need of medical procedures and get them to the hospital for treatment
Work harder to ensure children already in the program get what they need
Greater focus on severe malnutrition

-More health projects

Expand offering of filtrones to reach additional communities and households
Assist and encourage mayor's office in creating water systems in communities that lack them
GPS map Cusmapa communities to improve our ability to locate children and to "put people on the map"
Start new programs, especially for infants such as PROCOSAN, to fight malnutrition, stunting and disease

-New health studies

Analyze our programs and see what needs to be done

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T21:52:00.000-06:00

Happy holidays to all.

La Fuente, Lajero and Las Managuas receive Filtrones

2009-12-22T14:22:00.013-06:00

Fabretto teacher Jessenia (left) teaches mothers from Las Managuas (right) how to use filtrones

Martin (left) reads filtron instructions to his family; Cristina and her daughter-in-law (right) show off new filtrones in La Fuente

Thanks again to Matt Wesley and assistance from the Sheil Northwestern Group, we recently distributed over 60 filtrones in 3 communities. We specifically targeted communities with open, untreated water sources. Residents paid between $1.50 and $2 each (about 5% of the overall cost). The response was overwhelming. In La Fuente, about 13 households bought filtrones. The next day, over 40 filtrones were distributed in Lajero and 10 more in Las Managuas (graciously funded by Canterbury School). People from other communities are begging us to carry out identical projects in their villages and we are currently planning for 2010.

Filtrones will also be installed in the houses of our special health cases. Martin Diaz, pictured above, is already using his.

Gabriel in Hospital, Looking for Orphanage

2009-12-21T22:43:00.005-06:00

Over the past couple months in his new home in El Mamey, Gabriel Maradiaga has sadly not received the care he needs. In addition to his family, we as a community must share the blame for allowing him to starve. On a house visit last week, Matt Wesley and I carried him back towards Cusmapa until we were able to catch a ride with a Fabretto truck. Although Gabriel was in good spirits as usual, it was immediately clear that he needed urgent medical care. In the health center I met with the heads of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Family of Cusmapa. We all decided that Gabriel could not stay in the same house. His mother is simply incapable of looking after him and other relatives have not stepped up. Doctors in the health center told me Gabriel had lost almost all of his body fat, his muscles were deteriorating and, due to a lack of protein, liquids had left their normal locations and caused his stomach to become bloated.

The following morning, health officials took Gabriel and his mother to the Somoto hospital for treatment. We are currently looking into orphanages, as this is unfortunately the only plausible option that remains. We continue to monitor the situation and are working with local agencies to find the best solution for Gabriel and his mother.

Filtron Project in Las Managuas Planned, Looking for Donor

2009-12-08T12:05:00.006-06:00

We have decided to carry out a water filter project in Las Managuas, a small community of Cusmapa. The community has very limited access to clean water, with most of its residents drinking untreated water from the river (Rio Negro, pictured below) and the rest fighting over another open source. Around 10 houses will receive Filtrones, described in a previous entry. This will greatly improve the water quality, elimating bacteria and other contaminants. We will take advantage of another upcoming filtron project in Lajero and La Fuente, buying and transporting the filtrones together to save time and money. The total cost will be around $300.

If you would like to help, please contact me at: mzelek@fabretto.org.ni

Thanks. -Mike

Rio Negro, Las Managuas, Cusmapa

Video: Martin defies Doctors Prediction, Walks

2009-12-03T11:14:00.006-06:00

Martin Diaz of Carrizo, now free of the cast he wore for about a month after breaking his foot, is up and walking! This is great news for us all, and shows both his determination and the support of his family. Doctors in Managua said just a few months ago that he would never walk, but he never gave up and now can walk under his own power! Martin is a true success story. On a recent trip, I shot this short video of him. Look at his smile as he returns.

Water Filters

2009-11-24T11:42:00.007-06:00

Thanks to Rice student Matt Wesley, who is coming down to Nicaragua in December, we will soon be distributing water filters, called filtrones, to 2 communities with poor access to clean water. Filtrones are simple, cheap and effective. According to Potters for Peace, an NGO that helps potters construct and develop filtrones, the filtron is "a simple, pressed bucket shape 11” wide by 10” deep, made with a mix of local terra-cotta clay and sawdust or other combustible, such as rice husks. The simplest press utilizes a hand-operated hydraulic truck jack and two-piece aluminum mold. After firing to about 860 deg. C. the filter is coated with colloidal silver. The combination of fine pore size, resulting from milled, screened materials, and the bactericidal properties of colloidal silver produce an effective filter." Each costs about $25 and can adequately filter water for up to 6 years. It is pictured here:

We would like to expand this project to reach even more communities and provide clean water to children and their families. Here are a couple communities that would greatly benefit for a water filtron (or complete water system) project. If you would like to know more or help, please contact me at mzelek@fabretto.org.ni

Community	Problem	Solution	Cost

Tamarindo	No water system. Community gets water from river. Source of water (fuente) large enough for population but 3 km from town.	Filtrones in each house to clean river water	About $1000 (45 filtrones, brushes, transport)
Jabonera	Recently, the Alcaldia attempted to construct 2 pozos, though one was unsuccessful. Study needed to figure out how to construct second though right now no plans due to limited funds. One pozo is not enough for entire town	Filtrones in each house	About $1000 (45 filtrones, brushes, transport)

Fatima's New House

2009-11-08T14:05:00.003-06:00

We're closely monitoring Fatima's situation as she and her family tough out the rain and cold in their new yet half-constructed home.

New Health Study Underway

2009-11-06T17:00:00.003-06:00

A new health survey is being conducted to:
-Compare Fabretto and non-Fabretto nutrition levels and attendance
-Look a relationship between stunting and flu/academic performance
-Study overall primary school age child health in Las Sabanas and Cusmapa
This week we hit about 450 kids and should wrap up early next week with the actual surveying. Stay tuned for more.

Health Study Featured in Fabretto E-newsletter

2009-10-27T08:29:00.005-06:00

The health study of children under 5 in Cusmapa, carried out in June of this year, was mentioned in the latest Fabretto E-newsletter. It also has a link to the complete study:
http://www.fabretto.org/documents/2009%20Health%20Assessment

To receive Fabretto E-newsletters, click on the following link and enter your e-mail address:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001ZVNY5KsAnKyfNxA0q_WlEA%3D%3D

To help the Special Health Cases Program, please visit:
http://www.fabretto.org/Special%20Campaigns%20-%20Special%20Health%20Needs

New Fabretto Website and Donation Page

2009-10-27T08:00:00.008-06:00

An important note: The link we have been using for donations will soon be taken down. Fabretto has created a beautiful new website. (check it out! www fabretto.org) From now on, please use the following link:

http://www.fabretto.org/Special%20Campaigns%20-%20Special%20Health%20Needs

Click on "Support this Project" and select "Special Health Needs" as the designation for your donation. It will then be earmarked for the Special Health Cases Program.

This website is a big improvement over the razoo page. It has all of the benefits of razoo (tax-deductible, straight-forward, specified donations) with less of the hassle. Plus, you can learn about other great Fabretto programs.

Wilson Noe Vasquez Perez

2009-10-21T16:18:00.006-05:00

Wilson at Fabretto center Cusmapa (left) Wilson held by sister at relatives house (right)

Wilson, a 16 month old baby from Tamarindo (a looooooooooong way from Cusmapa only accessible by foot), came to the Fabretto center with his 15 year old sister. His mother passed away in August, leaving his father and sister to raise him and his siblings. In addition, Wilson was born with TEV, or clubfoot. We are currently working with local health workers to get Wilson to Somoto for treatment. Also, since he is so young and without a mother to breastfeed him, we are providing fortified milk and other food to make sure he is adequately nourished. We will monitor Wilson's health as best we can and make sure he has what he needs as he grows.

Thank you again for your support!
http://www.fabretto.org/Special%20Campaigns%20-%20Special%20Health%20Needs

Fabretto Early Child Health Study

2009-10-15T11:08:00.007-05:00

This summer, Jess Edwards, Epidemiology student at UNC, and I conducted a survey on the health of children under 5 in the communities of Cusmapa. This is one of the poorest areas in Nicaragua, but to quantify some of the indicators of poverty is important both for our understanding and for sharing that knowledge with others. Here are some of the main results of the study.

Executive Summary

The health and nutrition survey was conducted between June 1, 2009 and June 7, 2009 in San Jose de Cusmapa and the surrounding communities. The survey was administered to sampled households where at least one child under 5 lived. The survey consisted of questions addressing the socioeconomic conditions of the family and the level of health and nutrition of the youngest child. The majority of homes surveyed were constructed from adobe (77%) and did not have electricity (80%). Families obtained water from taps, communal wells, or the river.

Most of the mothers reported that they could read (78%) but most did not complete primary school. Distance to the health center ranged from 15 minutes in San Jose de Cusmapa to over 4 hours in the outlying communities. Many mothers in the communities gave birth in the home. Despite the distance to the health center, most children under 5 were up to date on vaccinations and most mothers received adequate prenatal care. Almost all children were breastfed at some point in their lives, and many mothers reported exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. However, children’s diets beyond that point lacked variety and consisted almost entirely of beans, tortillas, and cuajada.

On average, children under five were both underweight for their age and short for their age according to the World Health Organization reference population. However, children tended to weigh the expected amount for their height.

The prevalence of children under 5 reporting a cough in the previous two weeks was 42%. Twenty percent of children had experienced diarrhea in the previous two weeks and 17% had experienced fever in the previous two weeks. Fifty-six percent of families surveyed reported at least one child under five participating in an educational program.

For more information or complete results, please e-mail me at mzelek@fabretto.org.ni

Just a reminder... Please help

2009-10-09T16:47:00.008-05:00

To help these children and others, please visit:

Quick, easy, tax deductible, important.

Trip to Mamey... Some familiar faces

2009-10-09T16:36:00.004-05:00

Dr Moreira talks about PROCOSAN, early child health (left) Josue and Esmir at school (right)

Gabriel's new house (left) Gabriel with mom (right)

Yesterday, Fabretto doctor Gabriel Moreira and I went to the community of Mamey, where we gave a talk on early child health, visited children, dropped of mattresses and milk and mapped out the community using GPS. Gabriel from Apante, who has a blog post below, and his mom are now living in Mamey with a family member. Gabriel's mom is happy with her new home and it appears the two will stay there for some time.

Also, we bumped into Josue and Esmir, who are now in school! A daily lunch should fatten them up a bit.

Maryuri gets a blanket, too.

2009-10-09T16:28:00.005-05:00

Maryuri, a two-year old from Mojon, also received a new blanket. She was in Cusmapa with her mom, Maria Dolores, and cousin at the health center where I found them. Cubs fans might also appreciate the visor.

Blankets distributed to Mothers/Expecting Mothers

2009-10-09T13:56:00.005-05:00

Lidia, Arelis and Ritalena at Casa Materna (left) Ercilia and Bermidia at the health center, Cusmapa (right)

Thanks to my mom for making about 10 blankets for me to take back on this recent trip (and others in the past). I recently distributed 6 of them to mothers at the Cusmapa health center and others at the maternity house about to give birth. They all seemed pleasantly surprised and I'm sure the blankets will come in handy as the rains start up.

Martin walks, breaks foot

2009-10-02T17:49:00.002-05:00

Well, a lot of times, the bad news accompanies the good.

Let's start with the good. Martin Diaz, who is recovering from a tumor in his spine, has made incredible progress, defying doctors predictions and actually walking by himself! He's back in class, enjoying his friends and well on the road to recovery. To imagine how far he's come is amazing, a tribute to his spirit and the support of his community.

Now the bad. When Fabretto Dr Gabriel Moreira went to visit Martin yesterday, he noticed his foot was swollen. Although Martin wasn't in much pain, they took him to the hospital where an x-ray revealed a very small fracture. I'm just coming from the health center in Cusmapa where Martin seems to be in good spirits as he waits for his ride home. He's now wearing a cast and must stay off his feet for a few weeks. We, however, expect him to be up and walking in no time. After all, he's dealt with much worse.

Maria and Santos Ismael receive fortified milk, mattresses

2009-09-24T09:11:00.003-05:00

A special thanks to Bayardo Vasquez, pictured above with Santos Ismael, for enduring the long hike to Apante with a container of fortified milk to help these kids. Due not only to extreme poverty and food scarcity, but also limited access to schooling and the lunch it offers and other factors, these siblings urgently need nourishment. In addition to the fortified milk, 2 mattresses will make sleeping a little bit more comfortable.

Thank you Tin Roof Foundation!

2009-09-10T14:40:00.008-05:00

Tin Roof Foundation, one of Fabretto's biggest supporters, has helped countless children throughout Nicaragua, including many of our special cases. Included among these are: Tobiel, left, who is paralyzed in his lower body from polio (Tin Roof provided the PET hand-powered cart seen above to help Tobiel get to class); Rosangelica, middle, who has an ear malformation; Carolina, right, whose daughter Scarlet had leprosy when she was an infant, son Carlos Noe suffers from urinary and kidney problems and she herself has ongoing health issues; and many many others.

Thanks to Charlene and Al Meyer of Tin Roof for having such a positive impact on these children's lives!

To learn more about Tin Roof, please visit: http://www.tinroof.org/

Maryuri

2009-09-10T14:24:00.004-05:00

Maryuri is the two year daughter of a 19 year-old mother from El Mojon, a community near Cusmapa. We brought her mother into town to go to the health center after we found her unresponsive in her bed. Huddled in a corner of the room on the dirt floor was Maryuri. We are monitoring both mother and child, providing fortified milk at the advice of a nutritionist for Maryuri and her 4 year-old brother and making sure all have whatever medicines and health-related items they need.

http://www.razoo.com/story/Health-Care-For-Fabretto-Children

In Memory of Keylin Del Carmen Castro Baez

2009-09-02T16:34:00.003-05:00

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and untimely passing of one of our students, Keylin Del Carmen Castro Baez. Keylin was a seven year-old student in El Roble, a community 3 hours from Cusmapa by foot. Keylin had been in the hospital in Managua for over a week as doctors did all they could to save her after she hit her head while bathing in a river. Please keep Keylin and her family in your thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.

We will continue to remember Keylin in the work that we do and in educating children and parents on the importance of child's safety.

Meet the Kids!

2009-08-25T11:36:00.005-05:00

This page lists information and updates about some of the children whom we help through the Fabretto Children's Special Health Cases Program. We will try to update regularly with new information so that all can see the progress that the children are making. Thank you for checking it out!

For more information and to donate, please visit:

http://www.razoo.com/story/Health-Care-For-Fabretto-Children

http://www.fabretto.org/

Martin Diaz Hernandez

2009-08-25T11:29:00.003-05:00

Martin Diaz in House, Carrizo, Dec 2009 (left) Martin in Hospital, Managua, April 2009 (right)

Martin returning home, Cusmapa, July 2009 (left) Martin walks with Mom, Carrizo, August 2009 (right)

We found Martin Diaz in his home in Carrizo, a small village about 45 minutes from Cusmapa and 6 hours from Managua, in December of 2008. He was bed-ridden and had very limited movement in his body. His condition had degenerated significantly over the past year and no one knew the cause of his near paralysis. In early 2009 we were able to get him to the health center in Cusmapa, from where he journeyed by way of Somoto to the Children's Hospital in Managua. After being transferred to another hospital, doctors finally found a tumor in the spinal cord of his neck. After performing an emergency surgery in April, Martin began physical therapy in yet another hospital in Managua. His dedicated parents were with him all four months he spent in hospitals in Managua, mostly sharing a bed with him. On a sunny Saturday in mid-July, we took Martin back to his home in a Fabretto truck. There, he continues therapy with the aid of a wooden rail his father made, based on one Martin used in the hospital. Seeing him walk to school for the first time in two years, holding onto his mother for support, is especially reassuring given that doctors in Managua told us he would never walk again.

Without the support raised through Razoo, which has funded everything from food, medicine and toiletries to transportation to health centers, Martin would not be able to return to his studies, much less leave his home (in fact, doctors told us that the tumor in his spine was cutting off his breathing and would have soon killed him).

We are deeply grateful for all those who have helped and continue to use funds raised to bring Martin to the hospital in Somoto for weekly physical therapy, food and other costs.

To help, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Health-Care-For-Fabretto-Children

Gabriel Maradiaga

2009-08-25T11:25:00.005-05:00

Gabriel Maradiaga outside of home, El Apante, March 2009

Gabriel with Mother, El Apante, March 2009

Gabriel with mother, Hospital, Somoto, March 2009

Gabriel at Home on Donated Mattress, El Apante, August 2009

We found Gabriel Maradiaga via a health survey we carried out in May 2009. The Fabretto teacher there, Genaro, was in charge of the surveys in El Apante, a village accessible only by foot. When he met with us soon after, he told us of a child whose degree of malnourishment required more immediate attention than our normal programs provide. Upon seeing the early photos, two of which are shown above, we knew we had to act fast. Soon after our visit to his house with volunteers from Old St. Pat's Church in Chicago (who donated the mattresses seen in the picture above), Gabriel was transferred to the health center in Cusmapa and then on to the hospital in Somoto. Doctors quantified the problem: 4 and a half years old, only 20 pounds. In the hospital, he and his mother, who is also malnourished, were given food and vitamins. Using Razoo funds we were able to purchased fortified powdered milk and vitamins at the request of doctors and new clothes (some of which were also donated by Old St. Pat's). After a month in the hospital, Gabriel has returned home with his mom, looking much healthier than before. He also enjoys his new mattresses, which we walked to his house earlier this month!

We continue to provide Gabriel with medical attention, food, clothing and whatever else he needs.

To help, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Health-Care-For-Fabretto-Children

Pedro, Josue and Esmir

2009-08-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

A case recently brought to our attention, these three siblings, Pedro, Josue and Esmir from the village El Mamey outside of Cusmapa were left my their mother to the care of their grandmother. She told us that, just a couple of months ago at the end of dry season, their food supply was "situation critical." Visiting the family with the head of the Ministry of the Family in Cusmapa, we were able to drop off fortified powdered milk. We look to get these children enrolled in school as soon as possible and also bring mattresses and other necessities on our next visit.

Fatima del Carmen Mendez

2009-08-25T11:16:00.006-05:00

Fatima in Hospital, Managua, December 2008

Fatima in House, Imires, May 2009

Fatima del Carmen Mendez from the community of Imires has also greatly benefited from Fabretto's Special Child Cases Program. At the end of last year and beginning of this one, Fatima's body had swollen up with water due to a kidney disease. Her mother passed away a couple years ago from a similar illness, making our work even more urgent. After receiving three injections in the Children's Hospital in Managua, paid for by Fabretto, Fatima has recovered significantly. Swelling has declined significantly and she is now able to walk around with little discomfort and return to class. We continue to monitor her health and provide her family food each week to ensure she enjoys a healthy and simple diet.

To help, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Health-Care-For-Fabretto-Children

Newest Cases

2009-08-25T11:14:00.005-05:00

And there are always new cases (as well as many other existing cases not mentioned here). Maria and Santos Ismael from El Apante, the two siblings above, also suffer from severe malnutrition.

Carmelo and his brothers have a limb defect from birth that keeps them from walking. With your help, we will continue to help those in need and seek more. Thanks again!

For more information on how you can help, please visit:

http://www.razoo.com/story/Health-Care-For-Fabretto-Children

This map of Cusmapa and its communities shows where each child lives. Please click to enlarge.