Building a Foundation for Change: How a Small Organization in Tumbaco, Ecuador is Working to Improve the State of Health for Rural Ecuadorians

Abstract

In Tumbaco, Ecuador, there is a small organization funded partly by UNICEF that works to improve the lifestyles of rural communities. The name of this organization is Asociaci6n Vi vir, and its founder is Doctor Mariana Galarza de Garz6n. By educating members of the community in matters of nutrition, general health and home remedies, members of Asociacion Vivir work to promote change at the basic community level. Doctor Mariana and UNICEF have created a liaison with the goal of improving health conditions for rural Ecuadorian peoples. The intent of this study is to provide the reader with concrete examples of an effective approach to improving health conditions for rural peoples.