COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Healthy Communities Program, the Healthy Schools Program and the Scholarship Education Program are the three key components of Predisan's work in Community Development. HEALTHY COMMUNITIESHEALTHY COMMUNITIES: A 2011 SNAPSHOT:
Healthy Communities is the heart of Predisan's Community Development Program. Healthy Communities has a vital, important and challenging task – improving the spiritual and physical life of the more than 7,600 residents in 52 mountain communities Predisan serves.
Predisan's initiatives benefit the mountain villages, which are home to Predisan clinics and other nearby communities as well. They provide education about community leadership and sound public health practices. Predisan’s holistic approach to health and healing of the mind, body and soul drives Healthy Communities. Essential to the program is a commitment of time and resources by the local community in partnership with Predisan and the work of Predisan volunteers. Efforts such as building latrines and water retention tanks improve sanitary conditions, decrease the incidence of water-borne diseases and promote a clean water table. Above, Partnership at work in Healthy Communities WAYS TO SERVE: Community Development THE HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAM
The Healthy Schools Program improves students' health and development, reduces absenteeism, and abates the hunger of children who walk long distances to school and often have an insufficient diet. A Predisan health promoter (public health worker) oversees and coordinates Predisan's work with the program. Mothers and fathers in each school's Parent Association prepare a daily healthy food serving. Often, this serving is the only sustenance students receive in a day. The ingredients are supplied by the World Food Program. Healthy Schools is a vital part of the Healthy Communities Program. Children learn to garden and about reforestation, volunteerism and leadership. THE SCHOLARSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Scholarship Education Program provides an opportunity for more than 150 elementary or secondary education to children who have none. Four university students are also in the program thanks to a generous Predisan friend. A Scholarship donation of $285 for one year provides a child with a required school uniform, shoes, school supplies, and a monthly stipend to help the child and the family. Students are chosen on the basis of economic need, academic initiative and the willingness of parents to actively participate in the child's education. Scholarship students and their parents submit receipts for purchases, report grades at the end of each semester, and attend monthly meetings featuring speakers and special activities designed to strengthen the students’ and parents' dedication to education. A committee of Predisan employees and the Predisan chaplains collaborate with scholarship program leaders in making home visits to help motivate children and parents. Right, Children at the monthly meeting of scholarship students. HOW TO SPONSOR A STUDENTAre you interested in sponsoring an elementary or secondary student in Predisan's Scholarship Education Program? Scholarship donors are needed each year, and your help would truly make the difference in the life of a child. To sponsor a child for one year, you may donate one of two ways:
School in Honduras runs from February until November, and commitments for new sponsors are finalized from November until the school year starts in February. You can commit at any time to help during the next school year. Below, Children and parents at the monthly scholarship meeting. |
Initiatives range from seminars on domestic violence to installing latrines and water systems. Special program encourage economic sustainability, social justice and provide educational opportunities.
HEALTHY SCHOOLS: A 2011 SNAPSHOT: 
