Diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition, and sexually transmitted infections are all illnesses that, through education, can be prevented.  By sponsoring a community leader who has shown interest in health education and promotion, FIMRC will further the local knowledge base and enable the recipient to better support his community in the years to come. 

Project Alto Vera aims to provide a university scholarship to a youth in the District of Alto Vera in Paraguay who is a proven leader and who has taken active interest in bettering himself and the health of his community.  The district of Alto Vera is located in the southern most province in Paraguay named Itapua.  One of the province’s poorest districts, Alto Vera is home to 11,000 inhabitants who are mostly farmers.  The district has one health post staffed by one doctor and one nurse.  Despite lacking in medical services, health educators are a low priority for the district’s budget. 

Ignacio Cristaldo comes from a family of farmers with twelve children.  Growing up in the district of Alto Vera, he was able to complete education through the sixth grade in his community of Poncho, and then commuted 16 kilometers daily to his secondary and high school in Coronay.  The completion of high school is a great feat, straining the family financially because of tuition costs and lost time working in the fields.

Upon completing his education, he enrolled in a computer class to gain skills.  He is president of his church group and has led health and environmental education camps for the children in Poncho during their school vacations

In August 2005, Ignacio was selected from his community to travel to the capital, Asuncion, to participate in a conference about HIV/AIDS.  The purpose of the conference was not only to inform the participants about the virus, but also to give them the needed tools to educate people in their own communities.  Upon his return from this travel, he has given health lectures to groups all around his state, educating at least 50 people about the virus.  He also spoke numerous times on a weekly radio show about the topic of HIV/AIDS.   In the rural area, little is known about HIV/AIDS so this health education work is invaluable.  Knowledge is the power of prevention, and this youth’s education will have a significant impact on his community.   

Ignacio currently lives with his family and works in the fields.  Because of his family’s economic situation, Ignacio cannot afford tuition to a university.  With FIMRC’s support, he will able to apply and study in the capital and his potential will be realized.

To make a tax-deductable contribution, please click here or mail a check made payable to “FIMRC” to:

FIMRC
P.O. Box 1132
Philadelphia, PA 19105-1132

Please remember to specify “Project Alto Vera” on the memo line of your check so the donation can be processed correctly.

For further information on this project or how you can get involved, please e-mail info@fimrc.org or call 888.211.8575.  Thank you in advance for your support.