In January and February I worked with the local health post, Puesto Salud Santa Rosa, on a project for girls age 14-20 in the community who are pregnant. On Feb 14, Día del Amor or St. Valentina's Day, we hosted a workshop (taller) called La Dulce Espera (The Sweet Wait). The doctors and obstetricians gave charlas (talks) on health considerations of pregnancy, especially in adolescence, and I gave charlas on the theme Amarte a ti mismo, Amar a tu bebe - Cuidar de si mismo, Cuidar a tu bebe (Care for yourself, Care for your baby Love yourself, Love your baby). The workshop was held at a local hall in the community of Santa Rosa in Cartavio.
The event was sponsored by the health post, the municipality, and the Peace Corps. For the day, we collected donations from health post workers and friends. With the donations, we were able to clean and decorate the room with Valentines decorations, provide refreshments and empanadas, and give the attendants gifts to help care for their babies in utero and postnatal. The gifts included:
Newborn diapers
Baby clothes
Baby shampoo, soap, and lotion
Diaper bag
And ultra-sounds.
Due to the cost, some of these girls would never have an ultra-sound and we were able to reward their efforts to prepare for their baby with a paid for ultra-sound.
One of my favorite gifts were hand knitted bonnets and booties for newborns made by a community member. We also received donations of clothes for children 1-2 years old which we have stored in the health post to give out to patients who need them. Cakes are a big part of celebrations here so I shared the American fun of making a diaper cake to give away some of the diapers!
In the end, 9 pregnant girls came. The youngest was 14 and the oldest was 20. One participant came with her 2-week-old baby and mom. 2 of the boyfriends came which was great! Everyone was very interested in all the information and appreciative of the gifts. 10 or so workers from the health post came to help and/or participate which was awesome to have such dedication from them!
More pictures from the event and site life in February! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201791779304735.1073741833.1489380075&type=1&l=118ea6f595