Smiles at Patuitichaj

This photo was taken at Patuitichaj which is a small two room schoolhouse located in the village of Xepon. The picture was taken after snack and so the children have gathered around the pila to brush their teeth. Healthy Schools' three biggest taught and emphasized habits are washing hands after using the bathroom, before eating, and brushing teeth after eating the daily snack. In Guatemala, 80% of the most common gastrointestinal illnesses can be prevented with the washing of ones' hands after going to the bathroom and before eating, yet in many of my schools water is a scarce commodity or in some circumstances doesn't exist at all.

I'm currently waiting on word from a local NGO about two water projects that would provide far out communities with water in their local grade schools. These two projected projects would drastically change the lives of the students who attend these schools. The projects are very simple in "nature". The idea is to take advantage of the Guatemalan rainy season and store rain water in large concrete recipients that would be connected to faucets. This rain water would allow the children to practice daily health habits such as the "big 3" that are promoted in the Healthy Schools program.

At such a young age, it is paramount that these children not only understand the importance of practicing daily health habits such as washing ones' hands and brushing ones' teeth but that they have the ability to practice them. Without water, the ability to practice what is being taught in the Healthy Schools program becomes almost virtually impossible. So, I'm often left to wonder if what I do here sometimes is, for lack of a better word, useless. Furthermore, I can only hope that the money comes through from this local NGO and that the children in these far out communities are given the ability to put into daily practice what they are being taught in the Healthy Schools program.

I try and stay positive and see that the glass is half full. Although, at times it is hard to see this when the water in the glass is contaminated or there is no water at all. I'll hear about whether the funding from this NGO will come or not in October. So, until then please keep your fingers crossed, wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating, and brush your teeth after snack time.