by Polly Edmunds
Promotoras offered free screenings for blood glucose levels at the free Health Fair in Palomas. The boy in the foreground is examining a box of free children’s vitamins that was distributed at the event.
The Promotoras and Centro Salud staff deserve hearty congratulations for conducting a wonderful health fair last Saturday, April 13 in the Central Park in Palomas. Both groups together planned an ambitious list of activities. Thanks to their hard work, everything ran smoothly. A big thank you goes to COBINA–the Binational Health Council–for providing the funding that made it possible!
People loved the free, healthy burritos that the Promotoras served.
The Promotoras checked blood pressure and glucose levels. They also served free burritos on whole wheat tortillas with vegies from their gardens plus donated ones they received from stores in town. The grocery stores also donated fresh fruit and bottled water so that was available, as well.
Thanks to Healthy Start in Deming, they were able give some prizes to children for participating, as well as pamphlets on health topics to their parents. Books are Gems, an El Paso nonprofit organization, also donated some children’s books to give away.
Dr. Carrasco and her assistant administered free rabies shots for many local dogs. They also brought children’s vitamins, Border Binational Health Week caps, and lots of literature to give away.
Marisol Guillen offered free zumba lessons to enthusiastic participants.
Zumba sessions through the day and a jumping cage set up for the kids were very popular!
In addition, the Promotoras asked students from the beauty school in town to give free haircuts. Many people who had not been able to have a haircut for a long time were very happy to receive this service.
This health fair was very successful and I hope it will prove to be the first of many joint projects for Centro Salud and the Promotoras.
Click this link to view a survey of photos from the day at our Flickr site. You will see what I mean!
Sounds like a wonderful event – first of many I hope. Loved those greens topping the burritos. Great way to give recognition to the promadores and the good work they do and will be doing in the future. Kudos to you, Polly, for your thoughtful leadership.
Please excuse my misspelling. I mean promotors.
Thanks, Polly. The Promotoras appreciated your visit to their meeting.