Where We Work / Honduras / Communities / Matasano «

Matasanos’ educational system includes Kinder, Primary, and Middle schools (until 9^th grade). There are 242 students, and it is approximated that about 97% of the community knows how to read and write.

Matasanos has a water system built by the government in 1988. The main problems with the water system is that water arrives only every other day. Water comes from a river source and is chlorinated once a week.¹  Some people also use Biosand filters. They estimate about 75-100% of the community is connected to the water system. There is a Water Council, but only with 1 active member, Don Marcelino Caceres. 

Matasanos does not have a Health Center in the community.  The nearest public health center is in Zapotillo which is located about 30 minutes walking distance, and the nurse is Francis Quiñon (9950-0864). There is a private clinic in the community itself, however it is private and therefore consults and medications are priced high. There is no access to dental care in the community.

The most common illnesses seen by community members are mosquito-bred illnesses like dengue and malaria, as well as the flu and asthma. Though it has subdued recently, there was an outbreak of chickenpox among kids within the last year. Also, the local school teacher commented that there are about 20-30 students that are experiencing malnutrition, as many children have been left by their parents who leave to look for work outside the community.

There is no health committee in the community. Approximately 50% of the community is estimated to have latrines that currently function. Community members also commented that several latrines are also not “washable” (lavables). 0-10% have eco-stoves (estufas justas). Almost 75% is estimated to have cement floors.

Though there is no health data available at the community level for Matasanos, below are some available health center statistics from the CESAR-Zapotillo² that serves Matasanos:

I. Caserios (small villages) served by CESAR-Zapotillo, 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 2000 Lempiras, which is approximately L400 (US $21.18) per person³. The majority of homes are made of adobe, though there are some made of bahareque (stick/palms) and others of block and brick. The main form of employment in Matasanos is agriculture mostly on owned land, and the main products that are cultivated are corn and beans.  Some community members also work in the construction of homes, as the town is growing in number, which pays three times the daily wage of an agriculture worker. Matasanos had a community bank formed by PRODERCO and composed of 20 members, but it is no longer active due to many key members moving away from the community. They have, though, expressed interested in learning more and potentially re-forming the community bank, as long as there is significant follow-up.

Matasanos is not currently receiving brigades from any other organization than Global Brigades. Previously, they received brigades from the Baptist Church, though they have not returned for over a year. In 2006, the Inter-American Development Bank worked on a latrine project, but did not cover the entire community. In 2009, Yo Sí Puedo, an adult literacy program, had 10 participants complete the curriculum.

Matasanos has experienced a lot of growth in the last couple years and the statistics on population and number of homes may be significantly underestimated by the regional health center. The people of Matasanos have been accustomed to receiving projects, so gaining their buy-in and collaboration is important. 

Total communities evaluated: 97