Las Crucitas, Santa Maria

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Engineering
  • Water
  • Business
  • Public Health

Overview

Las Crucitas, Santa Maria is located within the municipality of Marcala in the department of La Paz in Honduras. Children in the community have access to education up to ninth grade. Most of the community members work in agriculture and growing and selling coffee. The community of Las Crucitas has a water system that needs improvement and is working closely with Global Brigades to design these improvements. The top needs expressed by Las Crucitas’ inhabitants during their initial communications with Global Brigades include medications for the community’s health centre, building latrines and improvements to the water system.

Municipality: Marcala
Department: La Paz

Homes : 220
Population : 700
Water System : Yes
Community Bank : No
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : No
Community Health Workers : No
Homes with Latrines : 89%
Education : Up to 9th Grade
Distance from Lodging Facility : N/A

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS

The Honduran government provides two different types of health centers throughout rural Honduras: Centros de Salud Médico Odontológico (CESAMOs) and Centros de Salud Rural (CESARs). CESAMOs are the larger of the two, often found in municipalities, and typically have at least one physician on staff at all times with nurses and potentially a dentist. CESARs are found sporadically in rural communities and generally have a single nurse available.

Even with this coverage, it is important to note that medications, supplies, and materials are often not available in these health centres and the physician density in Honduras remains at around 1,220 people for every doctor. According to the World Health Organization, there should be a maximum of 435 people per physician to qualify a country as having adequate access to medical attention.

The community of Las Crucitas doesn’t have a health centre in the community, therefore, they have to travel to the nearest community to receive medical care. The nearest community health centre is 15 KM away in the community of Planes, Santa Maria. The most common illnesses reported by community members include diarrhoea, the common cold, skin rashes, diabetes, and hypertension.

12

Brigade Volunteers

155

Patient Consulations

22

Health Education Workshops

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

The community of Las Crucitas does not yet have Community Health Workers. Global Brigades Honduras’ Medical Program is working diligently to train volunteers as CHWs in its partner communities as part of the Holistic Model. Las Crucitas will receive training as soon as possible to further support the health of its community members.

BRIGADE INFORMATION

Community members in Las Crucitas attend Medical and Dental Brigade clinics hosted in the community’s school building. The various stations of the clinic are held in the school’s eight classrooms. Each day of the brigade, an average of 7 educational charlas are facilitated with the clinic’s patients.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +400

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: N/A

MEDICAL/DENTAL VOLUNTEERS IN LAS CRUCITAS, SANTA MARIA

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
New York University March 2024 12

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE ACCESS

Working closely with the Medical Program, the Dental Program provides fillings, extractions, and fluoride treatments as a standard part of medical brigades. Most community members do not have regular access to dental care due to the lack of a dentist within a reasonable distance.

172

Patient Consultations

92

Number of Extractions

10

Dental Education Workshop

BRIGADE INFORMATION

Community members in Las Crucitas attend Medical and Dental Brigade clinics hosted in the community’s school building. The various stations of the clinic are held in the school’s eight classrooms. Each day of the brigade, an average of 7 educational charlas are facilitated with the clinic’s patients.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +400

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: N/A

MEDICAL/DENTAL VOLUNTEERS IN LAS CRUCITAS, SANTA MARIA

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
New York University March 2024 12

Engineering

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Las Crucitas but has not yet begun with the Engineering Program. Now in the planning phase, the evaluation of the community’s existing water system and design of any necessary improvements will start as soon as feasible.

Water System : Yes
Type of System : Gravity
Homes with Access to Water : 68%
Water Council : Yes

Water

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Las Crucitas but has not yet begun with the Water Program. Now in the planning phase, the implementation of any improvements to the community’s existing water system will follow the Engineering Program’s assessment and start as soon as feasible.

Water System : Yes
Type of System : Gravity
Homes with Access to Water : 68%
Water Council : Yes

Business

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Las Crucitas but has not yet begun with the Business Program. Now in the planning phase, a community bank will be established as soon as feasible, followed by market studies and investment in an anchor business to provide additional capital.

Community Bank : No
Community Bank Members : N/A
Economic Activities : Agriculture, coffee growing
Existing Microenterprises : Convenience stores

Public Health

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Las Crucitas but has not yet begun with the Public Health Program. Now in the planning phase, the financing, delivery, and installation of household health infrastructure products will start as soon as feasible.

Homes with Latrines : 89%
Homes with Eco-Stoves : 23%
Homes with Water FIlters : N/A
Common House Materials : Cement blocks and bricks

Local Reference Points

View the map to see the closest volunteer lodging facilities, hospitals, and other relevant points of reference.

  • Feature