Volcano Valley

Dr. Celia gives medical attention to a mother and her children.

 This past week Students International did a one-day medical outreach in a small barrio (neighborhood) called Volcano Valley.  Doctor Celia took medications and vitamins into the neighborhood, set up an area in one of the houses, and attended to those who were needing health care.  She treated many children with extended abdomens caused by parasites. 

Micro finance leaders, Maria and Miriam, joined Dr. Celia during the medical outreach.

  We learned about Volcano Valley through a woman who came to our Micro Finance ministry. This neighborhood was created by the local government giving small plots of land to very poor families and is located next to the town dump.  Now ten months later, thirty-five crude houses with tin roofs, timber post and plastic wrap walls, and dirt floors have been constructed by the land recipients.  One hundred and thirty people currently live in Volcano Valley - sixty adults and seventy children.  We believe that the neighborhood will continue to grow.

One of the nicer houses in Volcano Valley

There is so much need here.  Once per week a truck brings water to the neighborhood and the people store it in barrels, buckets, and other containers.  As I spent time at the medical outreach, I noticed that there were small larvae swimming in the water barrels.  This water is then used for drinking, cooking, and bathing.  I also understand that the children aren't attending school because of the distance to walk and lack of resources to buy uniforms and school materials.  
Lowell and I sense that perhaps God would be opening opportunities for ministry here.  Ideas would be: women's social work, education for the children, and sanitation (water filters, latrines).  Above all, the people of Volcano Valley need to experience life transformation from the inside out.  They need to know Jesus.  Pray for us as we dream and seek the heart of God.