The Asháninka health promoters

With the help of specialist NGO “One Heart Worldwide”, the health promoters completed training in nearby Satipo to tackle basic sanitation, nutrition and infant health issues such as handwashing and food safety. Being away from the community enabled the group to focus on getting the most out of the workshop, without having to tend to their daily activities. Using role play and humour broke through taboos about discussing uncomfortable subjects.

One Heart Worldwide gave advice about keeping areas of the community free from standing water to avoid malaria and other water-borne diseases. The women learnt how to treat a baby suffering from diarrhoea, how to form a balanced, nutritious meal and how to construct a “Tippy-tap” for handsfree handwashing. Of all the topics discussed, the “Tippy-taps” were the most well-received, and many of the community members have since constructed their own. The health promoters have reported a decrease in incidences of diarrhoea as a direct result, which is fantastic news.

In December 2016, three maternal health promoters from Cool Earth’s Asháninka partnership travelled to the Awajún partnership in northern Peru as part of a knowledge exchange trip. The promoters ran workshops on hygiene and sanitation with the Awajún women, and have proposed a similar project to address the public health concerns of our Awajún partners. Communities sharing knowledge in this way is key to how Cool Earth’s partnerships will grow in the future. It’s with your help that we’ve been able to develop this smart model.