Let the countdown begin

Honduras is populated by some of the most deprived individuals in Central America.  The presence of communicable diseases are evident in this country and are related to poor access to clean drinking water as well as poor basic sanitation.  In Honduras, the majority (60.2%) of households live below the poverty level while many live in extreme poverty.  In fact, a total of 1,714,835 inhabitants live in households with a per capita income of less than one dollar a day (PAHO, 2009).  80% of these individuals live in rural Honduras, much like the city I will be traveling to in July.  There are many social and environmental factors impacting the health of the people living in Honduras.  These factors include poverty, poor waste removal, water pollution and air pollution.  Additionally, much of Central America (including Honduras) is plagued with violence, drug trafficking and human trafficking.  

Where will I be going this summer?  SANTIAGO HONDURAS!!!!!!!  Many wonder why I chose to do this.... Sometimes I am still wondering myself.  However, follow this blog and hopefully it will help shed some light on why I will be embarking on this journey.  Hopefully while reading, you'll learn more about the health inequalities in Honduras and want to get involved!

In approximately 45 days another MPH student and I will be traveling to Honduras with a group of Engineers Without Borders.  There, I will conduct a PhotoVoice project in order to gain a better understanding of the health inequalities in the small rural city of Santiago.  I know that a lot of you are wondering "what is PhotoVoice????". While I'm not claiming to be the PhotoVoice expert, I have been doing a fair amount of research on this qualitative methodology and feel that it will offer a powerful addition to the data we plan to gather during our stay.  PhotoVoice combines grassroots social action with photography while allowing residents/participants to share their point of view by taking pictures of issues or topics of interest, discussing them together and presenting their concerns.  It was founded based off of feminist theory and has been used to give insight on the participants circumstances and hopes for change in the future.  

The plan:  

I will be traveling to Santiago for two weeks in July and hope to return again in January.  The city that I will be staying at contains 8 neighborhoods, and thus, I plan to provide two cameras to individuals living in each neighborhood. They will have approximately 10 days to take the photographs, and 2 days to prepare for their presentation.  Towards the end of my stay the participants will present their photographs at a water community meeting in efforts to educate community leaders as well as EWB on what they feel are significant areas of concern in regards to the health of Santiago.  Additionally I hope to conduct some interviews with the residents as well as focus groups.  Ideally I would like to do some video journaling too....but that would be in a perfect world.  :)  If I have the time and resources you can plan to hear about my video diary projects as well.  

I am sure many of you are wondering how I will be able to fund this project?  Well, this is where I need YOUR help.  I am currently collaborating with the Director of the MPH program here at Mizzou to conduct a small fundraising campaign in order to fund this project.  We are needing to purchase a total of 20 cameras, 16 to distribute and 4 backup and cannot do this alone.  Additionally, these cameras will later be transferred to Guatemala in order for 3 additional MPH students to use to conduct a similar project.   That said, WE NEED YOU!!!!  We are currently asking for monetary donations or donations of equipment (cameras and batteries).  At the moment we haven't finalized what camera we will be using, but in order to minimize confusion for participants, it would be best if each camera is the same!  That said, the moment I have news on camera type, I will post it!  

If you are interested in contributing either monetarily or making an in-kind donation, please send it to the address below: 

Ms. Enola White

Master of Public Health Program

802 Lewis Hall

University of Missouri

Columbia, Missouri 65211

If you plan to make a contribution by check, make it out to the University of Missouri.  Please write in the memo line: MPH Student Opportunities Fund-Abby Rolbiecki.  

I hope that each of you find it in your heart to make a small contribution of some sort.  Trust me when I say "it will be for a great cause".  Not only will your support benefit a community in need, but it will also help students like myself participate in life changing educational experiences such as these.  

I hope you plan to follow my blog throughout the next couple of months.  I can assure you that it will be both educational and entertaining!  I am sure most of you will get a kick out of my future posts.  :)  

Follow me this summer as I take this journey.  I hope you do!  :)