Centro Casa Visitación
Pastoral de La Salud
Col. Edilberto Zolano, Sector López Arellano
Choloma, Cortés. Honduras
Tel. 9995-8232 ; 2694 5298
El Señor esta contigo
Annual Report 2011 Casa Visitación
Choloma, Honduras
Mission StatementTo empower persons to take greater responsibility for their personal health, the health of their
community and the environment…”so that all may have life and have it in abundance.”
Present Reality
As the new year begins Honduras is feeling more than ever the challenge posed by soaring rates of violent crime, corruption, the involvement of the police in organised crime and a wave of killings of experts in the fight against drugs, most of the cocaine from South America bound for the U.S. passes through Honduras. This growing insecurity has prompted the PEACE CORP to withdraw their members which takes effect this month.
In 2011 Honduras has experienced the highest frequency of murders in the world with 86 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to a global average of 6.9 per 100,000. It is now referred to as the crime capital of the world.
It is reported that 500 Hondurans emigrate daily to the U.S illegally. There are some one million Hondurans residing in the U.S. and the money sent by those people to their families in Honduras represents the primary revenue within the Honduras economy. Many of those who immigrate illegally encounter many problems en route often accidents or death. Every year many are deported, in 2011 the figure reached 44,500. (Washington Post/La Prensa)
In this harsh reality we the team of Casa Visitation are grateful to have journeyed with the people throughout the year and have made a difference in the lives of quite a number living with much deprivation. We could never have done any of this without the help of our benefactors, all of you who are partners in our mission here in Honduras. We are grateful for your continued support in these difficult economic times, the sacrifices you make to enable us to bring healing and wholeness to the people of Honduras.
Our Project is based in Choloma which is the third largest city in the country and
where the greatest number factories are found. The majority of the population
of Choloma are migrants seeking employment in the factories or to immigrate to
USA. The southern part of Choloma, named Sector Lopez Arellano, has a
population of over 200,000 growing at a rate of 10% annually. This is where
the Centre, Casa Visitaciòn is based. The factories employ young people
from 18-35 years, but there is huge underemployment in the rest of the
population. At the end of this year many factories have closed and with the
lack of social services and effective labour laws, the situation has become more
acute and leaves many people destitute. We encountered many families
suffering from hunger especially during the latter part of the year. The
over-crowding, lack of infrastructure and employment contribute to the national
problems of drug trafficking and violence in all its forms, organized gangs and
resulting crime and drug abuse. In this climate of fear and frustration, domestic
violence is a way of life in many families causing much heart-ache. Added to all
of this is the repatriation of deportees from the USA on a weekly basis with little
or no support to begin again life here in Honduras.
In this context, 2011 despite all the problems was a full and rich year for the Centre, Casa Visitation
development of the project. We continued to maintain the programs of training
health promoters, strengthening health committees, maintaining home pharmacies and home based-care program. Many services are provided through the medicine clinic and the complimentary therapies The counselling services have expanded and an increase in members of the two support groups…one for women living with domestic violence and the other for persons living with HIV/AIDS. A psychologist attends 2 days each week and this service is greatly appreciated.
We are constantly amazed at the resilience of the people, their faith, generosity, and their desire for a better life especially for their children. All of our Team when sharing our experiences once a month relate stories that touch us all deeply. We are privileged to serve the people who are so deprived and yet share so much of their lives and their struggles with us and are so grateful that we are willing to share their journey.
We are also grateful to have our Centre, Casa Visitacion which gives us the space to extend our program and as the building is situated in a marginalised area, the poor have better access to the services provided and many more have availed of those services in the past year.
Achievements/Training
- The Casa Visitation Team participated in upgrading and
training in their different fields.
- 29 health promoters received a health diploma in November.
- 12 health promoters received their diplomas in HIV and AIDS education.
- Three members of the Team did a course in English
- Workshops were given on the following themes:,
Nutrition, First Aid, Complimentary therapies x 2, Domestic Violence x 2, HIV and AIDS,
Social Relations, Self-esteem, Management of small home pharmacies x 2, and practical
sessions in cooking with Soya products, Jewellery making and Recycling.
All of the above workshops were well attended. We are proud of the people running
the small home pharmacies and how much they have learned over the past few of years.
- Sessions in complimentary therapies, Thai chi, acupressure and visualization were given monthly in the Central Prison, and also to groups involved in the caring professions. Some of these groups continue to multiply these learning’s with their respective groups.
- We began a program to help with education (both primary and secondary) for children who have few resources. We were fortunate to get a donation from HOPe in Yonkers, New York for this purpose. These children
would not otherwise be able to attend school. They come from families who belong to our
program, children of single mothers, people living with AIDS or with little or no economic
assistance. Sixty two children availed of the help and the majority finished the year and most
did very well. One of the students a boy, aged 16 was murdered just after he graduated.
His mother came to show us his report card which showed he did very well. Unfortunately
he had become involved in the drug scene.
Services /Activities
- 12 health committees functioned this year. There are between ten to fifteen members in each group. All of them promote health in their respective communities. All committees have their own home pharmacy. The team of Casa Visitaciòn visited each committee every month developing with them the educational theme chosen for this year and other health themes.
- The support groups for persons living with HIV-AIDS and Domestic Violence held meetings every month and an evaluation/celebration in December. For both groups, meetings were held each month which includes on-going education on health issues and human rights. They also participated in 3 workshops on income generating activities. The HIV/AIDS group of 20 people experienced great support both from each other and the program. In the women’s support group of 35 people (although this number fluctuated), they have received a lot of support
- Curative services (medical dispensary) are provided 2 days a week. Great emphasis is given to prevention of diseases and some of our volunteers give health talks to the patients at this time... Education on women’s issues has resulted in many more women availing of PAP smears.
- A resident Psychologist attends the Centre 2 days a week. Her clients are mostly women who have suffered from domestic violence and children who have behavioural problems and learning disabilities.
- Complimentary therapies have proved to be beneficial to women suffering from stress especially domestic violence. Our program Care for the Carers which includes Tai Chi and Acupressure has been in great demand and many sessions were given in different centres throughout the year.
- Monthly workshops for pregnant women were attended by over 100 women, about 60 of them teenagers. Talks were given on ante-natal, birth and post-natal issues as well as exercises which were very much appreciated.
- The Program collaborated with the parish, Diocesan health Ministry, government and nongovernmental organizations
We celebrated World Aids Day together with a local women’s group, youth group and members from other churches.
The Women’s Support Group participated in activities in the city on International Woman’s day informing the public about violence against women. We participated in a march calling for an end to murders of women.
There is good collaboration with the Parish clinics, the complementary Medicine clinic and the counselling services…an attempt to integrate body, mind, and spirit in the search for healing and good health.
We are members of the 2 Parish Councils and integrate all our planning with the other activities of the Parishes..
- The Home-based Care Team have visited 35 families at least once a month and provided support with pastoral care as well as medicines, food and connecting them with other health institutions where necessary as well as advocating for their rights.
- A Container of medical supplies, clothes, school supplies, bicycles, paint, washing machine, stove, crutches, walkers, wheel-chairs and much more arrived in late November through the generosity and hard work of the members of HOPe and AFYA, New York. This enabled us to bring aid in many forms and much joy to many families this Christmas. We were also able to share some of the contents with other organizations with whom we are affiliated.
Problems Encountered
The climate of fear in a society where there is so much domestic violence, organized crime, corruption, drug abuse which is a huge factor in the everyday life of the people living here
• Most meetings are held at night and in some neighbourhoods, it is dangerous to be out after dark.
Most meetings are held at night and in some neighbourhoods, it is dangerous to be out after dark.•There is a cultural carelessness around keeping appointments, following a treatment, and being punctual.
There is a cultural carelessness around keeping appointments, following a treatment, and being punctual.•There is a very poor understanding of the connection between diet and health
There is a very poor understanding of the connection between diet and health•The world-wide economic crisis has severely affected Honduras and particularily Choloma where many factories have been closed.
The world-wide economic crisis has severely affected Honduras and particularily Choloma where many factories have been closed.Specific Objectives of the Project for this year, 2012
1. The main priority will be health education by means of diplomas, workshops and talks.
2. Continue to support the education process of under privileged children.
3. Great emphases will be placed this year on education and implementation of Human Rights
4. Preventative, complimentary and curative services will continue.
5. One of our staff members worked with children in a local school and experienced many problems
among the children, meanwhile a student teacher who specialty is in this area worked with our psychologist and team member to assess the problems. The outcome is that a programme will commence in casa Visitation in February to address these problems by means of individual attention in Spanish and mathematics and accompaniment by the psychologist
6. Casa Visitation is a member of a net-working group, this year we have plans to work together and
lobby for rights of women and children and take part in PEACE marches.
Conclusion
With gratitude and hope, we look forward to fulfilling the objectives for 2012 beautiful.
Nothing would be possible without the commitment of our Team, the enthusiasm of our health committees, the health promoters and all with whom we collaborate
We are grateful for the support of our Bishop Angèl Garachana Perez, to both pastors in the parishes where we work- Father Enemecio Del Cid, and Fr. Fred Cournoyer, and for the collaboration of the people in the parishes. We are deeply grateful to all the organizations here that have shared their resources and experience as we struggle to continue this work.
We are grateful to our MMM Congregation both in Ireland and USA, everyone at HOPe in Yonkers, New York, AFYA foundation, New York Mr. Eamonn Molloy, Dublin, Ireland, The Tom Dooley Fund, Ireland, SHARP, Cork, Ireland, Dr. Joe and Charlene Connolly, USA, friends and family who support us financially and with their prayers and interest. We continue to remember each and every one of you in our prayers, may God grant you and your families’ abundant blessings throughout 2012.
Team of Centro Casa Visitación
Renee Duignan, MMM Sirleny Odalis Pena
Rosalinda Gonzales, MMM Roger Antonio Bonilla
Maria Gonzaga Namuyomba, MMM Rosa María Maradiaga
Rosa María MaradiagaMauricio Portillo Chávez Lilian Janeth Torres
Lilian Janeth TorresSandra Cecilia Maldonado Itsmenia Funez
Itsmenia Funez Leónidas Rivera
Children picking up
school materials
Sr. Rosalinda giving a workshop on Reflexology
Staff Lilian on Home based care visits
Team of Centro Casa Visitacion
