CHE

CHE stands for Community Health Education/Evangelism. It is a program that the interns have been studying for the past two weeks. It is a really cool because it promotes education. The program sets up the community for success in a way that they are responsible for their own community. It does not involve "us" coming in and changing things for the people. It involves helping them so that they can change things for themselves and take ownership in that change. This way you promote a life time of success.

The first step in CHE is doing a survey to see what the needs of the community are. We do this so that we can really get to the know the people. We also want to learn what we can do so that we can meet their needs and get the most benefits from the program.
The village that we want to start CHE in is a relocation village. In June of 2008 Typhoon Frank hit the Philippines. There were many people that lived right on the water. These people lost everything that they had. The government has relocated these people in a random place. They have only been there 5 months.

Pictured above are some of the kids from the relocation site. Seeing these people and hearing their stories was really eye opening. They live in these hut sort of things that are all attached. Sometimes 9 people in one hut. They only have electricity in this pavilion area, where they plug in their stereo and dance. Every house has a garden that they take pride in. They all share bathrooms and do not have a good sewage system. These people were forced to restart their lives when they didn't have much to begin with. They are strong men and women.


Pictured above is part of a row of houses. There are 2 rows and different families on each side. We interviewed them about their health, community services, psychological needs and services (such as water etc). We learned so much and brainstormed as a group to find out what we could do to help them. Some of the things that we brainstormed were getting the people solar energy, a water filtration system, forms of garden education and different types of recreation for the youth. The next step in the process is sharing the information with the people that are on the council at the Barangay (or community) and seeing what we can do to help. From there, teams are formed and these teams train the village. Also, people are assigned to individual houses to make sure they are getting their needs met. Slowly, the entire village in educated in the areas needed and transformed.

I think that it is going to take a lot of time to start this program. It is cool because we are going to write up a report and get all the information needed. Then, the next team that comes in can start helping them in a more direct manner. I just don't think that we are going to be here long enough to see all of this happen, which again leaves you feeling overwhelmed. I want to do so much, but I have to start at the beginning. Change takes time. This is one of the families that I interviewed. The woman is 21 and has 5 kids. If you look to the right the dad is holding like a blanket. They tie the blanket in a knot hanging from the ceiling and place the kid in it! The grandfather also lives with them. As much as you see is basically what their house is. You can go there and see it, but when you sit down and hear their stories it really changes things. These are real people.

The kids at the relocation site were less shy than the other kids that I have been working with. They were craving to be loved. Many of them don't go to school because it is too far away and/or their family can't afford to send them there.


The kids were beautiful. They would run around calling me Dyosa (prounouced Josa). This means "Goddess" in Ilonggo! haha. Apparently it used to be a TV show and my hair reminds them of the main character! I had so much fun just being there and playing with the kids. They loved to be held and all of them wanted my attention. We even danced together.
I'm still trying to figure out how I can make a long term impact on the people here. I know I make a difference for those moments, but then I just go. It leaves you with a lot of emotions. I'm realizing that all I can do for now is love them.