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The Healthy Living
Initiative is actually working in Southern Ecuador,
specifically with the communities of Guara, Bella Maria, and
Chaquizhca, in Calvas County, Loja province. All of these
coomunities were highly affected by the presence of
chinchorros (insect vectors of Chagas disease). Social,
clinical, economic, political, and ecological evaluations
allowed us to understand the context under which we shall
address our intervention. This context is affected by some
conditions that make healthy living difficult to achieve,
including: lack of job opportunities, lack of economic
networks, limited access to basic services (potable water,
sanitation, health providers, etc.); even limited education
or heightened insecurity are terms which can be used to
define these communities.
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However, these communities are also plenty of
strengths such as favorable environment for
agricultural production; incredible
biodiversity; knowledge on indigenous practices
and traditional agriculture; local, regional
and national organizational networks interested
on fostering development in this the area; and
an active network of communication (schools,
local radio and cell phones).
The Healthy Living Initiative was born in this
context and has focused its efforts on obtaining
a full comprehension of the dynamics of these
communities, including the socio-political and
economic systems and ecosystems. We understand
that our goals as health and development
professionals, as well as academics, is to
support, orient, and focus the communities’
strengths toward a “healthy life” which promotes
social change through the improvement of their
living conditions. In order to achieve these
objectives, we must fully understand the
interactions |
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