Community health

On Tuesday I worked in the community (in the comedor- the place they serve meals to children in rural areas who are living in poverty). We visited the comedor, met the kids, and did their heights and weights. The comedor keeps track of this data, and we also use it for research.
With the first group (3 & 4 year olds) we read them a children's book in Spanish, and I did some string magic tricks that were quite the hit. These children were so adorable- some of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. Many of theme were obviously malnourished.
Most of them were very small, and their hair had this orange tint to it that is a result of malnutrition. Once they got over their shyness and the ice was broken, they were ok with talking to us, and one little girl pulled me down and planted a big kiss on my cheek and hugged me for a long time- how could I not love them? So sweet, so innocent, and so hungry! I looked at their menu for each week- often it wasn't much more than a rice dish. The Sanitoria (woman who runs the comedor) said that this is the only real meal that most of the children get that day. Some will be given a piece of bread and tea, or coffee at home, but that's it. No vegetables or fruit. Only a little protein. Not many sources of calcium. It is so heartbreaking!
The second group of children were between about 6-12 years old. We didn't get much of a chance to talk to them, although we did take their heights and weights. They were also cute. And also hungry. One girl told us that she had 9 siblings- most of them with her at the comedor.
This last picture is all of the students in my group with the medical residents that accompanied us to the comedor. It was a rural area, and as you can see, not the most beautiful area of town. The building in the background is the comedor. This is the nicest, most organized comedor in the city. All of the others are much inferior. By the way, the humanitarian missionaries from our church want to help this program by providing better food and funding, but they want to see that the CAPS program (which runs the comedores) is trying to change, to add programs and classes that will help the people. They want them to be self reliant, and to put forth some effort before they commit to funding or providing goods. We are trying to put together some classes which will hopefully be implemented and contribute to the success of the program and the health of the community and the children. We have some teaching projects that each group is in charge of putting together. I will explain that later when I know more.