PARTNER SITE MANUAL OUR CHAPTER //
GlobeMed at Loyola University Chicago, Illinois OUR PARTNER //
Jambi Huasi
GEO GRA PHY DEM OGR APH ICS PAR CUL TNE TUR RO E rga niz COM ati on MU N ITY Gen ASS era ETS lO BSE RVA ME DIA TIO AND NS RES OUR CES
Otavalo, Ecuador
ecuador otavalo, ecuador
otavalo
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY?
Walking is a viable and popular means of reaching most parts of Otavalo. Taxis and buses are readily available for longer trips, such as from one end of the town to another, or to one of the communities outside Otavalo.
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GEOGRAPHY
PARTNER COUNTRY: ecuador
PARTNER COMMUNITY: otavalo, Imbabura Province
LANGUAGE:
Spanish
POPULATION: 100,000
MAJOR INDUSTRY:
Bananas, Crude Oil
RELIGION:
Roman Catholicism
POPULATION:
15 million
TYPICAL FEMALE JOB:
Service sector & Farming Service sector & Farming Rice, corn, chicken & pork
CLIMATE:
Temperate, sunny
TYPICAL MALE JOB:
RELIGION:
Catholicism, Indigenous religions
TRADITIONAL DIET: LANGUAGE:
Spanish & Quichua
WHAT IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE IN THE COMMUNITY? Otavalo is a well-developed town with paved roads and sidewalks in most areas, electricity, and running water. Infrastructure for heating water and cooking is also present in many buildings, though the gas used must be purchased in individual tanks at shops. Buildings are constructed of concrete. In the rural areas outside of Otavalo, unpaved roads are much more common and the availability of running water and electricity varies considerably. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CROPS GROWN IN THE COMMUNITY? Corn is the major crop, but soybeans and livestock such as cattle and chickens are also raised in significant quantity. A wide variety of other foods, including fruits and vegetables, are readily available at grocery stores as well as at open-air markets. The affordability of these latter options, however, is unknown; therefore, the degree to which the population can access them remains unclear. WHAT ARE THE GENDER DYNAMICS IN YOUR PARTNER COMMUNITY? Women tend to marry young, often while still in high school . Domestic violence and gender equality are acknowledged problems within many of the communities served by JH. DO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, AND OTHER FORMS OF TECHNOLOGY? Cell phones are common, and most people seem to own one, judging by observation. It is unknown how common computers are in households; however, internet cafes are widespread (located every 1-2 blocks in downtown Otavalo) and inexpensive.
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DEMOGRAPHICS
Points of Interest ARE THERE ANY INTERESTING NATIONAL PARKS, ARBORETUMS, OR OTHER NATURAL SITES IN THE COMMUNITY OR COUNTRY? Otavalo is home to a condor park that exhibits many different birds of prey. The park also offers bird shows. Otavalo is also full of natural beauty. The town is surrounded by several semi-dormant volcanoes which can be hiked up (with a local guide). There are also two beautiful lakes and the Peguche waterfalls that are definitely worth seeing. ARE THERE ANY MEMORIALS IN THE COMMUNITY OR COUNTRY THAT YOU FOUND There are several monuments and parks dedicated to a local indigenous hero that the GROW team found interesting. IS IT SAFE FOR GROW TEAMS TO ATTEND AND TRAVEL TO THESE SITES WITHOUT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION? It is safe to attend these events alone; however, being accompanied by a JH staff member who is able to explain the details and history surrounding these events is encouraged, as it enriches the experience and strengthens the personal relationship between JH and the GROW team. ARE THERE ANY CULTURAL EVENTS OR HOLIDAYS THAT ARE CELEBRATED DURING YOUR GROW INTERNSHIP? The Inti Raymi festival, which corresponds to the summer solstice, is a week-long indigenous celebration. People sing and dance in traditional clothes throughout the week; during the final day of the celebration, people gather at sacred bodies of water to participate in a ritual bath. It is definitely worth seeing (and participating in)! ARE THERE ANY OTHER CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THAT YOU RECOMMEND?
Otavalo is famous for being a market town. There is a public market that sells food, textiles, and handmade crafts every day, and on Saturdays, the entire downtown area of Otavalo is transformed into a giant street market.
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CULTURE
by the numbers
Organizational Details FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES:
7
FULL-TIME VOLUNTEERS:
1
TARGET POPULATION: Socioeconomically disadvantaged - especially indigenous people, mothers and children
Location: Otavalo, Ecuador
ORGANIZATION’S OTHER PARTNERS: A Quichua radio station, Ministry of Health & UN Population Fund, two rural communities ORGANIZATION’S POPULARITY: Well-known in the indigenous community
# OF PEOPLE SEVERAL IMPACTED: THOUSAND TRANSPORTATION TO PARTNER ORGANIZATION: 10 Minute walk from GROW Team’s hostel Important Questions
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY FACES?
One of the main challenges JH faces is overcoming opposition to traditional health practices from government organizations like the Ministry of Health. Another important concern is maintaining financial stability while providing services at as low a cost to patients as possible. HOW DO STAFF AT YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATION PERCEIVE GLOBEMED?
Staff perceive the partnership as beneficial, and have expressed gratitude and excitement that an outside organization has taken an interest in furthering the work of JH. WHAT WOULD BE MISSING FROM THE COMMUNITY IF YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATION DIDN’T EXIST?
Jambi Huasi is an asset to many people in Otavalo. Without JH, many indigenous people would lack a respectful environment in which they can seek health care, and would instead be forced to deal with the inefficient, expensive, and prejudiced government healthcare system. The poor would lose an affordable place to receive care. The two rural communities JH is partnered with would lose their primary source of healthcare.
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PARTNER ORGANIZATION
Public Infrastructure SCHOOLS There are many primary and secondary schools in Otavalo. The nearest university in in the provincial capital, Ibarra--about a 30-minute drive from Otavalo. LAW ENFORCEMENT Police were a common sight during the internship, especially in public areas such as parks and plazas.
POST OFFICES We did not see any post offices. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Otavalo has many buses that run frequently and seem to have a wide service range. BANKS Banks and money-wiring offices such as Western Union are plentiful, with one located at least every few blocks.
Important Constituents in the Community CULTURAL OR COMMUNITY GROUPS
Jambi Huasi was actually founded by the local indigenous federation, which remains an important ally today. There are also many smaller indigenous groups, ranging from a local radio station to a traditional medicine association.
NGOS
The GROW team met a member of a Swiss NGO that collaborates with Jambi Huasi in several ways. The nature of the NGO and the details of their partnership are unclear at this time.
IS THERE A MINISTRY OF HEALTH BRANCH IN YOUR PARTNER COMMUNITY?
Jambi Huasi works with the Ministry of Health branch located in the capital, Quito. It is unknown at this time if there is a local MoH branch and if so, whether or not JH works with them. IS THERE A CENTRAL NGO MANAGEMENT OFFICE IN THE COMMUNITY OR THE COUNTRY?
N/A.
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COMMUNITY ASSETS
Reflection and Planning
WHAT HAS BEEN GLOBEMED’S MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATION TO DATE?
Having just completed our first year of partnership with JH, our largest concrete contribution thus far has been the renovation of the midwife room at JH's clinic. JH's midwife sees patients and performs exams in this room, making it one of the most-used spaces in the clinic. Now patients can be seen in a safer, more comfortable, and betterequipped environment. WHAT IS YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATION’S GREATEST PROGRAMMATIC NEED?
One of JH's long-term goals is closer collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Due to differing perspectives on the role and validity of indigenous health practices, such as those offered and promoted by JH. By continuing to establish a solid record of successful programs that integrate both Western and indigenous health methods, JH aims to win greater support from the MoH. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP?
JH has stated that our partnership has allowed them to pursue programs that they otherwise would be unable to, such as the current midwife training project. Prior to our partnership, all of JH's revenue went towards keeping its core medical services available at an affordable rate and maintaining the clinic. Hopefully, our partnership can continue to serve as a support base for the development of new programs and the expansion of JH's services. DO YOU SEE ANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH OTHER LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OR INSTITUTIONS?
JH seeks a stronger relationship with the Ministry of Health, though it is unclear at this point whether or not our chapter has a distinct role in this process. CAN THE GLOBEMED NATIONAL OFFICE SUPPORT MORE COLLABORATION BETWEEN YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS?
At this point in time, there does not appear to be a need for any additional support!
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FINAL TIPS: -Take every opportunity you can to get to know the JH staff. If they invite you somewhere, then go! They have a better understanding not only of JH, but of what life in Ecuador is like. -Read the entire JH history before the internship. It's written by the staff of JH and tells their story in a complete but easy-to-understand way. -Always bring a bit of extra money just in case!
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