Provadenic

Nicaragua

For a number of historic reasons there are no Presbyterian Churches in Nicaragua. However, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been a part of the overall protestant Christian efforts in this small, lush and gentle country for many years.

In the aftermath of the Contra war, tremendous pressures from all sides create an atmosphere of political and social turmoil. The government wants to keep its promises to the US and the repatriated businessmen by returning confiscated property and privatizing the state enterprises. At the same time, the returned Sandinista forces vow to protect the gains of the revolution. In addition, the general population grows increasingly desperate as prices rise and income doesn't. UN studies report that unemployment is 80% and 40% of the people live in extreme poverty.

All of this seriously affects health care which now focuses more on urban hospital care. The cost of medicines is out of reach for many. Those who live in rural areas often cannot get into town for medical care because of the high cost of public transportation. Several health posts have closed due to lack of resources. An increase in malnutrition as well as outbreaks of measles, malaria and some cholera have been reported.

PROVADENIC (Project of Vaccination and Communal Development of Nicaragua), the rural health program of CEPAD (Evangelical Council of Churches), has been able to accomplish much to improve health and nutrition of these seriously effected rural communities.

PROVADENIC, is a non profit rural community health program, founded in 1967 by its Director, Gustavo A.Parajon, M.D. Its mission is to promote health through primary health care for communities in Nicaragua which do not receive services from the government or any other organization. PROVADENIC's philosophy is that the best health care providers are those who live and work in the community itself. Rather than sending a doctor in every so often, it is more effective, sustainable and economical for the community to learn to take care of itself. It is a priority to train community members to prevent and treat the most common diseases, to organize for better health conditions such as potable water, adequate sanitation and to develop resources and training for better nutrition.

Before PROVADENIC begins work in any rural community, the community must make a formal petition to the PROVADENIC office and demonstrate that it has health needs, desires help, and is willing to work together to solve their own problems. If the community meets the criteria of being isolated and without other access to basic health care, the community's next step is to organize the staff who will run the clinic. By popular vote, the community elects a health leader and others who will serve on the community's health committee.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) assists Provadenic through ECO Acct. #862616 and the Medical Benevolence Foundation also raises funds for this project.

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