Where We Work / Honduras / Communities / Jutiapa «

Jutiapa’s educational system includes Kinder, Primary, Middle, and High schools (until 12^th grade). There are approximately 545 students and Mitalina Salgado and Mitala Mejia are the school directors. It is estimated that about 75% of the community knows how to read and write.

Jutiapa has a water system built by the government in 1980s. There are 4 different systems providing for the community, one for the neighborhoods above the center and one for those below, and 2 for the center. Water for these systems comes from one natural river source and three well sources. The systems above and below town are currently working, providing water every other day to those sectors that is chlorinated once a week.¹ However, in the center of town there is no water system that reaches homes or the health center with potable water. In the town center, about 200 of 380 (53%) homes are connected and the water is not chlorinated. There are 2 Water Councils; the one that covers above town has 4 and the one below town had 5 active members. Roque Castellano is the president that oversees the Water Councils.

Water Council members explain that studies were not done before putting in tubing and starting the water projects and that is why the system is failing. Since then, there has been so much growth in the town that many houses aren’t connected, the water pressure is low, and there isn’t enough water for the quantity of people in the community. Also, collecting water fees for maintenance and reconstruction of the system as well as educating people on the proper treatment and usage of the water has been a challenge.

Jutiapa has a health center in the community staffed by one doctor and 2 nurses, though there is no dental care offered. There is a Community Health Committee with 25 active members, led by Ruth Palma.

The most common illnesses seen by community members are the common cold, skin infections, and hypertension.  Approximately 75% of the community has latrines that currently function. 0-10% has eco-stoves (estufas justas) and 80% is estimated to have concrete floors.

Below is health information available from CESAMO-Jutiapa²:

I. Caserios (small villages) served by CESAMO-Jutiapa, 2009

Centro de Salud Statistics, Centro de Salud Regional-Danlí, 14 Marzo 2010

*Global Brigades also works in these communities with medical brigades.

(NA) = Not available data.

The average family income per month is estimated to be about 2500 Lempiras, which is approximately L500 (US $26.47) per person³ or less. The majority of homes are made of adobe. The main form of employment in Jutiapa is agriculture on rented land, and the main crops that are cultivated are corn and beans. Jutiapa has access to credit through APAUI, a cooperative, though they have higher interest rates.  There are also agriculture groups that support each other, led by Roque Castellano and Marco Antonio Maradiaga.

Jutiapa is not currently receiving medical brigades from any organizations outside of Global Brigades, though they had previously from the Cuban doctors that worked in the clinic of GB partner organization Sociedad Amigos de los Niños. Around 1995, ADA 8620 completed a latrine project. Currently, ANDA, a medical organization, is working with the health center in building a community health workers program, training the CHWs in auxiliary care and midwifery. Also, Rotary Club is working in public health project in a few surrounding villages.

Jutiapa is a very large city that serves 13 other surrounding villages through its health center. It has a lot of needs for such a large city and its town structure has not conducive to the community’s growth over the years. Apart from the water issues, the community representatives have expressed interest in the eco-stove project as they have a FORCUENCAS-trained technician in the community as well.

Priority Rankings and Conclusions

Total communities evaluated: 97