Santa Cruz, El Paraiso, Honduras
Click on Programs to learn more about their work in this community
General Information
| Population* | 2,670 |
| Number of homes | 500 |
| Avg # of people per home | 5-6 |
|
Number and % of children under 12 years old |
350, 13% |
|
Principal Sources of Employment |
Agriculture - corn and beans |
|
Water System |
Yes |
| Rural Bank | Yes |
| % of Houses with Latrines | 90% |
| Electricity | Yes |
|
Corresponding HealthCenter |
CESAR - Santa Cruz |
|
Common Illnesses |
Repiratory infections, diabetes |
|
School Availability and Distance |
1st-6th grade, located in the community |
| Municipality | El Paraiso |
| Department | El Paraiso |
| Distance from compounds | 2 hours 30 minutes |
* Population does not reflect how many patients will be seen on medical
brigades as many people from surrounding communities come seeking
Medical Brigades medical attention.
Top Three Needs Expressed
The top needs expressed by the key community members are eco-stoves, more medication in the health center, and more resources for the school.
Santa Cruz, El Paraiso is located in a flat area of the country with large space for agricultural fields. It is located close to the Nicaraguan border and the municipality of El Paraiso, shown on the map above.
The community of Santa Cruz has a primary school with kindergarten and grades 1-6 available. There are about 205 students in the school and the school has 7 classrooms, as well as a computer room and additional storage space. Unlike many of our communities, each grade has its own professor. To attend school above 6th grade, the students most travel to El Paraiso, which is often too much of an economic strain on families due to transportation and materials cost.
This community has a water projected that was constructed by communinty members with funds from a World Bank project. It is a gravity system and the system is in good condition. The community members do not need to chlorinate their water because it passes through a filtration system and comes purified directly to each house. They have an active water council that works to keep the system in good condition.
This community has a CESAR, or the smaller of the two different types of health centers that the government provides. CESARs only have a nurse on staff and do not typically have doctors. If patients need further medical care, they must travel to El Paraiso to see a doctor or receive special treatment. The most common health problems in the community are respiratory infections, tonsilitis, diabetes, and hypertension.
Community members in Santa Cruz work mainly in agriculture. They grow corn and beans, typical crops in this region. For the most part, they harvest these crops for their own consumption. They may sell a small amount of surplus in good harvest seasons. Some find temporary work as day-laborers for the price of 100 lempira, or about $5 a day. They do have a community bank, but do not have other access to credit.
This community has a lot of space for brigades and can therefore handle large groups.
Check back soon for photos of this community!
