ASAPROSAR

Salvadoran Association for Rural Health

A brief introduction to the institution.

The work of the Salvadoran Association for Rural Health (ASAPROSAR) began in1972 by Dr. Vicky Guzman. Dr. Guzman returned from studying medicine in Mexico to work in the rural communities of the western region of El Salvador. Her approach to this work was innovative and based in community health but also in prevention. Dr. Guzman started alone but later had a staff of four to provide services such as vaccinations, education, and community organization for the poorest sectors of the country. As the first non-governmental organization to work with this population, ASAPROSAR became a model for other non-governmental organizations as well as for the Ministry of Health. At its core ASAPROSAR believes in the wisdom of the people with whom they work. Such a philosophy has permitted the organization to work with men and women towards the development of their community leaders. These leaders are, therefore, able to decide how to resolve their own problems. ASAPROSAR, along with its dedicated staff, has played a significant and important role in the country’s history before and during the civil war as well as in the present time.

The experience of ASAPROSAR within the rural poor communities demonstrated the difficulty of treating health without taking into account environment, economics, training, gender, and the status of children. In recognizing the interdependent relationship of these factors with health care, the organization began to develop complimentary programs in a holistic way. The health programs of ASAPROSAR focus on nutrition, maternal and child health and community organization and participation. The environment and agriculture programs specifically deal with contamination of the environment, deforestation, and conservation of soil. Sustainable agriculture is the methodology used to encourage organic farming rather than the use of pesticides. It teaches diversification of crops, produces foods for nutrition and provides a method for economic survival.

The training and education center is called CECADEC. Opportunities exist for learning carpentry, baking, sewing, installation of electrical systems, computation and other trades. CECADEC provides the important training of promoters in health, childhood development, gender issues and midwifery. The participants are able to discover their own talents, to share with their communities, and develop a sense of self-esteem, responsibility and a capacity for problem solving.

ASAPROSAR gives special importance to the women and children who are considered the most vulnerable members of the Salvadoran society. The program of micro-credit provides small business loans to poor women in the rural and urban communities. These circles of credit also have training in business organization and accounting. The credit received by participants is used for expansion of market stalls, small businesses, or other entrepreneurial endeavors. This specifically encourages women to participate in the economic system. The understanding of gender and family dynamics is integrated throughout all of the programs of ASAPROSAR.

Two programs deal with children and their specific needs. Barefoot Angels are working children 6-17 years of age. The staff of the Barefoot Angels include educational, psychological, social and cultural activities as they work with child laborers in the marketplace, bus terminal and in the local trash dump. The Project Source of Hope provides services to poor rural children younger than 6 years of age. This program provides early intervention through home visits and attention to mother and child relationships and kindergarten classrooms for the development of motor and social skills.

In 1972 Dr. Guzman started out alone on horseback to work with the rural poor of her country, El Salvador. Today, ASAPROSAR has a staff of over fifty people and serves a population of approximately 80,000 persons. It is an exciting story that continues to unfold. As the ripples in a lake expand outward, changing and multiplying, so the vision and energies of Dr. Guzman and ASAPROSAR transform the lives of those they touch and empower.

Adapted from article written by Alexandra Forter. 3/2000