CHWs Advanced Training January 2018

January's advanced training course brought together Community

Health Workers from 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Like health care workers everywhere, CHWs never stop learning. Week-long advanced courses provide medical updates to every-day topics, such as diabetes, prenatal care, and the appropriate use of antibiotics, as well as in-depth coverage of complex topics, such as alcoholism and domestic violence. The volunteer CHWs show up in force to receive this training, attesting to their commitment and dedication to the health of their neighbors.

Advanced CHWs Meet for Additional Training

Learning to Teach

See one. Do one. Teach one. CHWs are often called upon to share what they've learned to those coming up in the program. Recent graduates Miguel and Luz practice teaching how to read a thermometer. They will help instruct the brand-new class of Community Health Workers, which starts on Monday.

Rehearsing a Thermometer Reading Demonstration for new trainees

Community Health Workers-in-training begin their studies

They start with prayers for wisdom and strength. A brand-new class of rural Community Health Workers begins their three-year training program. The classroom is also the dorm AND the clinic waiting room - we're working hard on getting them adequate space for accommodations and a real classroom. (Unfortunately, some students will sleep on the floor until we get the Medical Teaching Center built!)

These new students have committed to a rigorous course of study, so they can provide healthcare to their rural villages in Petén.

New students don't take this training lightly: Prayers for strength and wisdom.

Eager students engage in discussion in the makeshift classroom. Student CHWs work in small groups to analyze the root causes of disease. This is day two of their first week of training.

Small groups facilitate interactive learning

Using a case study, students work at making connections between illness and circumstances.

Day #4 of training: these trainee Community Health Workers are learning to take blood pressure. Over the 3 years, a total of 18 weeks of training by local advanced CHWs and foreign visiting physicians and specialists give these brave volunteers the skills, judgement and equipment necessary to take care of their fellow villagers.

Hands-on practical knowledge is a major emphasis