Peace Corps Dominican Republic

1. Peace Corps Dominican Republic Healthy Families Project

2. FACTORS Peace Corps involvement in the health sector began in 1982 when, at request of the Ministry of Health, the volunteers started assisting the Nutrition Recuperation Centers administered by their Department of Nutrition. Changes in the public sector priorities and high turn over rate in project partners encouraged Peace Corps to cut down the level of assistance to the Ministry of Health and to respond to the assistance solicited by Non‑Government and community‑based Organizations. The project plan is based in 3 main interventions: a) Reproductive Health, b) Child Health and c)Prevention of HIV/AIDS. PARTNERS Ministry of Public Health Ministry of Youth MUDE CE-Mujer IDAC Batey Relief Alliance Community Based organizations How was the Project Developed ?

3. Snapshot View of Health in the DR • 24% of the population lives below the poverty line • Under 5 mortality rate: 47/1000 • Maternal mortality rate: 110/100,000 • Prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5: 5% • Life Expectancy: 66.7 years • 130,000 people living with HIV/AIDS • Public expenditure in health: 6.5 % of GDP

4. Healthy Families PROJECT PLAN

5. Project Purpose • Low‑income families living in the rural and marginal urban communities of the Dominican Republic will have increased health education opportunities and access to resources that will result in healthier lives .

6. Project Goals • GOAL #1: Promoting healthy decisions by youth • GOAL #2: Improved nutritional practices • GOAL #3: Improved reproductive health practices

7. GOAL #1:Young people will be empowered to make healthy decisions about their sexual and overall health. • Objective 1:By 2006, 72 PCVs and Project Partners will have trained 6,000 youth in making healthy lifestyle decisions and preventing STDs . • Objective 2:By 2006, 72 PCVs and Project Partners will have organized and trained 72 Healthy Choice student groups in local high schools and trained them on a variety of health issues including STD prevention and peer education .

8. GOAL #2:Mothers will improve nutritional practices that reduce malnutrition among children under 5 years of age. • Objective 1:By 2006, 72 PCVs and Project Partners will have trained 1800 mothers in improved nutrition practices. • Objective 2:By 2006, 72 PCVs and Project Partners will have trained 1800 mothers to establish small‑scale food production units.

9. GOAL #3: Women will improve reproductive health practices that reduce the occurrence of breast and cervical‑uterine cancer. • Objective 1:By 2006, 72 PCVs and Project Partners will have trained 1,800 women to mothers to carryout periodic self-exams and access other exams of their reproductive health . • Objective 2:By 2006, 72 PCVs and Project Partners will assist 1,800 rural women to access low cost reproductive health services through information sharing.

10. Typical Volunteer Cycle • Pre-Service Training (12 weeks including CBT) • Months 0-3: Community Diagnostic and Relation Building • 3 Month IST: Diagnostic Report and Start the 1st Year Project Planning Process • Months 3-12: Complete Project Plan, Implement, and Monitor project • 12 Month IST: Evaluate 1st year progress and Plan 2nd Year • Months 12-24: Reformulate, Implement, Monitor, and Evaluate project • Months 21-24: Begin transition process • Pre, 3, 12 month Site Visits • Close of Service Conference

11. Top Ten Activities in the Healthy Families Sector • HIV / AIDS Prevention Youth Groups • Organic gardening and nutrition • Latrine construction and hygiene • Small animal production • Woman’s reproductive health groups • Ceramic Stoves • Girl’s groups • Women’s banking groups • Libraries • Youth sports leagues

12. Success Stories: Ann Smyntek Ann Smyntek (2002-Present) lives in the rural community of Mena Abajo, in the southwestern zone of the Dominican Republic, from November of the 2002. Her main project consists of working with MUDE (Mujeres en Desarrollo, Inc.), a Dominican NGO, in their HIV/AIDS/STD prevention project with youth. Ann works with young people of 12 communities of the area of Tamayo, preparing them to be peer educators in their respective communities. Ann facilitates monthly workshops with these 33 youth people and then she visits them in their communities when they present their charlas. In October 2003, Ann initiated a home gardens project in Mena Abajo. During the first stage of this project, 12 patios were fenced with galvanized hen house wire and planted with common vegetables. In January 2004, nutrition training was delivered to the community, focusing on the prevention of malnutrition, diarrhea and dehydration, especially in children under five years of age. This course will also be open to the community women who do not have home gardens, and when finished, 15 additional fences will be built to plant more home gardens.

13. Being a Volunteer is… • A Unique Experience • A Challenging Experience • A Growing Experience • A Sharing Experience • An Unforgettable Experience • IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DECIDE IT WILL BE!

14. Peace CorpsDominicanRepublic Are you ready for the challenge? Welcome to the Healthy Families Project