Carol (far left) at a planning session for
Peru Red Distribution.
Peru Red Distribution.
CALI has been working since 2005 to create a network that distributes 400mg
Albendazole pills every six months. The distribution has spread over eleven of Peru’s
districts and is still expanding. These pills are important because they treat five types
of intestinal parasites which are estimated to be infecting 20 million of Peru’s 30 million
people. Across the world, one in three people are estimated to be infected with these
parasites.
The parasites consume 25% of nutrition which contributes to malnutrition and disease.
This can devastate children; preschool age children are very susceptible to the worms.
This drains most of his or her strength or energy and can cause growth faltering. Children
ages 6-15 are reported to be the most afflicted with the
parasites. High infestations weaken the child’s immune system and make it easy for the
child to contract other infections. This perpetual illness means the children are sick often,
miss a lot of school, and are unable to concentrate. A child suffering from
parasites at an early age is more likely to contract a chronic, irreversible disease as an
adult such as liver fibrosis, bladder cancer, or kidney failure.
Women are also at risk, especially pregnant women. Women in developing countries may
be pregnant or lactating for as much as half their reproductive lives. Anemia is common
among these women and can be life-threatening. This, coupled with worm
infestation and inadequate amounts of iron, can further endanger the woman and her
unborn child. Therefore, distribution of Albendazole has become very important to CALI
and other organizations that promote the health and well-being of Peruvian citizens.
Albendazole pills every six months. The distribution has spread over eleven of Peru’s
districts and is still expanding. These pills are important because they treat five types
of intestinal parasites which are estimated to be infecting 20 million of Peru’s 30 million
people. Across the world, one in three people are estimated to be infected with these
parasites.
The parasites consume 25% of nutrition which contributes to malnutrition and disease.
This can devastate children; preschool age children are very susceptible to the worms.
This drains most of his or her strength or energy and can cause growth faltering. Children
ages 6-15 are reported to be the most afflicted with the
parasites. High infestations weaken the child’s immune system and make it easy for the
child to contract other infections. This perpetual illness means the children are sick often,
miss a lot of school, and are unable to concentrate. A child suffering from
parasites at an early age is more likely to contract a chronic, irreversible disease as an
adult such as liver fibrosis, bladder cancer, or kidney failure.
Women are also at risk, especially pregnant women. Women in developing countries may
be pregnant or lactating for as much as half their reproductive lives. Anemia is common
among these women and can be life-threatening. This, coupled with worm
infestation and inadequate amounts of iron, can further endanger the woman and her
unborn child. Therefore, distribution of Albendazole has become very important to CALI
and other organizations that promote the health and well-being of Peruvian citizens.
| Display to show size of worms inside body in reference to jar and standard pen. |
| Teaching the community about intestinal parasites (June 2006) |
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| Everyone in the family receives a single pill every six months. In partnership with ADESA (June 2008) |
| Chincha: Standing in line to receive the "worm pill" (2007) |
One delightfully tasty bubble gum-flavored pill
is recommended every six months.
(2007)
is recommended every six months.
(2007)
| Jeff sorting pills in San Juan Lurigancho (August 2008) |
| Albendazole Distribution Project |
Donation of the pills comes from many places. CALI receives pills from supporters and supporters’ donations. Dr. Luis Campos of Operación San Andrés
is a major supplier of Albendazole. The Franconnia Mennonite Conference with Claude Goode handles donations, also.Carol and leaders of the other
organizations monitor the dates of distribution and research data. CALI and the networking organizations meet every three months to discuss successes,
areas that need help, and areas that need change. The organizations discuss where they are distributing so as not to overlap areas too much. They also
plan the dates to provide follow-up dosages. The network also cooperates with Peru’s Ministry of Health.
So far, CALI has distributed 297,850 pills among 17 different organizations! Many of the organizations, like CALI, use the Albendazole distribution to
strengthen their evangelism and community development work. Included in the distribution is a health and hygiene program to help prevent future infestation
and benefit the community.
Organizations we are working with to distribute Albendazole are Bethsada Ministries, Lluvia de Bendiciones (Rain of Blessings), Municiple of
Cajamarca, Asociación San Lucas, Compassion International, Secadores, Fundación Contra el Hambre (Food for the Hungry), Visión Mundial
(World Vision), Cominidad Christiana, O’Brother Ministry, New Hope Children’s Home, Asociación Amor para las Tribas, ADESA, NEWMA, Kids
Alive, Yancana Huasy, Paz y Esperanza, Municiple of Manchay, Municiple of San Borja, and Vineyard Church de Peru.