Local Resources

With communities lacking access to medical care, such as El Valle de los Chillos, it can be tempting to view the glass as half empty or less. But the fact is, every community, no matter how poor, isolated or remote, already has many of the most valuable resources needed to establish healthcare that can be sustained over the long term.

Local labor and expertise, supplies, space, volunteers, and the influence of key members in the community are critical non-financial resources. Without them in sufficient quality and quantity, few healthcare programs can survive in the long term.

The challenge for the Healthcare Model for El Valle de los Chillos is to identify and mobilize these local resources. The key to doing this is local involvement.

• SPACE: Rooms, or office space that may be used until a permanent site is located, or to be used as satellite locations. Citizens of El Valle de los Chillos have already donated their homes for patient visits and to host meetings on the project. Other resources with potential space include outlying church buildings, schools and child care facilities.

• EXPERTISE: Local professionals volunteer their specialized skills in needed areas. Professionals and lay people have come forward to help with healthcare, training, legal work, civil engineering and fundraising. Continued outreach is needed to reach members of the community with experience in accounting, management and public relations.
  
  
• SUPPLIES: The State Pharmacy of Pichincha, in Quito, has agreed to sell generic medicines to the program at reduced rates.
  
  
• CHARGES: In a recent survey o fEl Valle de los Chillos community members, over 80% of respondents agreed that they would be willing and able to pay 1 to 2 dollars per clinic visit.
  
  
• INFLUENCE: Leaders of the local political, educational, business, and religious communities decide to put their influence and credibility on the line by joining the Directiva de Salud.
  
  
• INCOME:


• Local artisans produce highly desirable clothing and other products for vending.
• Approach businesses and corporations for funding in exchange for public recognition. Directiva de Salud to identify and approach local businesses, as well as national corporations that have a a history of support for social projects.
• Raffles, bake sales, or a “Fun Run” during upcoming fiesta or other social event.
  
  
• SERVICES:A medical laboratory in Quito has volunteered to donate free laboratory work to patients in the project.
  
  
• VOLUNTEERS: Greater than 90% of respondents surveyed in Cotogchoa volunteered to help with the following areas:

• computerized registration and tracking of patients.
• cleaning and maintenance
• organizing events
• helping with sick visits to homebound patients
• building and construction

• Learn more about our project, about current healthcare in Ecuador, the community of Cotogchoa, the project leadership, project planning and local resources.
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