A brief introduction to the institution:
Dr. Vicky Guzman began the work of the Salvadoran Association for Rural Health (ASAPROSAR) in 1972. Dr. Guzman returned from studying medicine in Mexico, her mission was to promote health consciousness among the poor in the rural communities of the western region of El Salvador. Her approach to this work was innovative and based in community health, as well as in prevention. She has dedicated her life to developing a model health care program for the rural poor population of her country.
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 in developing them as 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 day. 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, as well as community organization and participation. The environmental and agricultural 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 to 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 micro-credit program 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 includes educational, psychological, social and cultural activities as they work with child laborers in the marketplace, in the 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 more than 50 people and serves a population of approximately 80,000 people. It is an exciting story that continues to unfold. As the ripples in a lake expand outward, changing and multiplying, so do the vision and energies of Dr. Guzman and ASAPROSAR. They are changing the lives of those they touch and empower.
Footnote Text:
Adapted from article originally written by Alexandra Forter in March 2000.com
