Karina & Ruth

Karina and Ruth (names have been changed), 10 and 12 years old, are two sisters that are involved in CENIT's programs. Their family moved to Quito from the rural province of Cotapaxi in search of a better way of life. However, upon arrival in the city the family found themselves facing extreme poverty and backbreaking working conditions. They all work making bricks: between the various family members they average 150 bricks per week which hardly provides enough income to provide for the family. Karina and Ruth became involved with CENIT and began to study at our primary school where they received classes in subjects such as writing, math, sciences and social sciences. After visiting their home and seeing the reality in which they live, CENIT found resources to help them attend a school specifically for children with learning disabilities. Currently the children attend this school in the morning and CENIT's homework help center in the afternoon.

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Street Clinic

Aim

The goal of this program is to provide primary health care to those who don't have access to health care services.

Project Information

This project is run by a registered nurse who goes to the various markets in which we work to provide on-site primary health care. This allows people who have no economic resources, or who are unable to leave their work site, to have access to this care. This program currently sees over 70 patients a week, 75% female.

Volunteer Requirements

One volunteer is needed in this program to accompany the nurse as she visits patients. This person must be at CENIT for at least four months, have an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish, and ideally some medical background.