Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children El

Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children, El Salvador 2010 summer AMBASSADOR PROGRAM May 19 - July 16, 2010 GIERIC LAPUT

FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS The Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children founded a clinic in the rural Las Delicias community in El Salvador in 2008. FIMRC and its local partners strive to eliminate child health disparities in an area where majority of health issues are due to a lack of education, poor infrastructure and scarce resources. In this light, the clinic provides not only pediatric health care services but also preventive health and community development initiatives. Such projects include a micro-insurance health education group, a fish project to combat dengue, recycling and waste management, a nutrition group focusing on a community garden, an adolescent group, and a healthy food festival.

FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS WHAT: What drew me into the Ambassador program was the opportunity for coming up with an initiative, supporting FIMRC’s mission. My idea was a project that incorporated the arts with community development. A number of research literature on health interventions demonstrated that some of the more low cost, low resource –intensive interventions targeting early childhood development are play, reading, art, music, and tactile simulation. GOAL: Thus, my summer project aimed to augment child health care in resource-poor settings through establishing an art program as a complementary health initiative. The art program aimed to encourage children to express emotions, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, increase self-esteem, personal fulfillment, empowerment, self-awareness, and achieve insight through the creative process.

T AR G RO P AM R FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS WHERE: The Canton Las Delicias Public School graciously provided us the venue for the art program, where I met with my students three times a week.

T AR G RO P AM R FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS The core of the program was two-fold: Elementary Group Students from grades 1 -5 participated in art lessons ranging from drawing, craft-making to painting. Youth Group Students from grades 6 -9 participated in making a school mural highlighting Salvadorian themes, culture and pride.

PRO T A GR FIMRC EL SALVADOR M AR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS Art Lesson Example Lesson Title: What I Want to Be When I Grow Up Overall Expectations: The goal of this activity is for the students to affirm their selfimage and enable them to visualize success by creating original artwork showcasing the achievement of personal dreams.

PRO T A GR M AR Helping Hands Overall Expectations: To build self-esteem and competence as helping habits at home, in school, and in the community are recognized and displayed through original artwork. FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS

PRO T A GR M AR Impressionistic Father’s Day Card Overall Expectations: The term “Impressionism” is associated with individuality, the sign or trace of an individual artist. The goal for this activity is for the students to express their own “impressions” as they explore nuances in color and shading. In addition, the artwork will also serve as a Father’s Day greeting card. In this light, the students will be able to express their appreciation for their fathers as they write appropriate messages on their personalized artwork. FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS

PRO T A GR M AR Healthy Habits Overall Expectations: Active kids are likely to be physically fit, make friends, be confident, and strive for goals. Their drawings capture the joys of an active, healthy lifestyle. The goal of this activity is for the students to describe the benefits from involvement in physical activities, including enjoyment, discipline, self-expression, health, and social interaction. The student artworks will also be featured in an exhibition in conjunction with a community Healthy Food Festival. FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS

A RT PRO AM R G ART EXHIBITION FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS At the end of the program, selected works were featured in an art exhibition for families, friends and community members to enjoy.

T AR PRO AM R G FIMRC EL SALVADOR The Making of the Mural PROJECT LAS DELICIAS 1. Drawing exercises and brainstorming ideas. 2. Making the grid and drawing the objects. 3. Painting the outlines. 4. Painting inside the lines.

FIMRC EL SALVADOR L RA MU The PROJECT LAS DELICIAS The Finished Product

R TP R A A GR O M FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS Based on the attendance rates, the students’ eagerness and participation, the art program was successful. Overall, the elementary group overwhelmingly expressed positive reviews. One student was particularly grateful, saying that through the art program, they were able to “do things they would never have the opportunity to do in school. ” In addition, the student body, the school director and teachers also expressed their appreciation for the mural. The mural not only served as the school welcome signage, but also was a reflection of what the student body wanted to express to their greater community.

FIMRC EL SALVADOR s t jec ro er P Oth PROJECT LAS DELICIAS HEIGHT CHART I also had other side projects, including making a height chart for the doctor’s office in the clinic, and also spearheaded a World Map community mural.

Act er ties ivi Oth WORLD MAP FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS

ing eer unt Vol A B C D E F G Volunteering Activities: Aside from the aforementioned projects, I also had the opportunity to partake in various volunteering activities in the clinic and in the community. These include: A. helping in the community garden, B. doing house calls C. stocking medical supplies, D. making health education skits, E. visiting the schools, F. helping in the MHIP(health ed group) and G. participating in the healthy food festival.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SPECIAL THANKS TO: MY FAMILY For your emotional and financial support FIMRC EL SALVADOR PROJECT LAS DELICIAS FIMRC TEAM To Alex Kelly, Dr. Tania Lopez, and Angela Supernaw, for your mentorship and guidance throughout my internship, and to the other volunteers, for being my second family in El Salvador. LAS DELICIAS COMMUNITY For making me realize that often the people who influence us most aren't those in power but those who empower us to act and serve.

GRACIAS! PASE LO BIEN!