This is a presentation I created to guide and prepare students and volunteers alike who just arrived to Panama to complete a public health brigade for Global Brigades (the largest student led non for profit in the world). I was the coordinator for the public health program for 2013, and would appreciate all credit to me if you use it to guide your fellow students if you want to do a PH brigade in Panama! I no longer work here, but can answer questions concerning how the experience can be!

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Global Brigades, Inc Copyright 2009

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History
Global Brigades' public health
program started as a pilot with the
environmental program, addressing
to the community of Platanilla in
Panama Este where 3 latrines were
built. It was initiated by Michelle and
Elizabeth (a Peace Corps volunteer),
and coordinated by Tania and Carlos
Moreno at the beginning of 2012.

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Panama strives to better family and
community states of
health in Panama Este/Darien region
through:
•empowerment of local health
committees and the
•promotion of health education
•improved household health
infrastructure.
Mission
Health is the word, and it should be taught to everyone!

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Reduce by 20% the incidence of gastrointestinal
illnesses due to fecal contact in communities
Vision

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Improve families
household's human waste
situation in an
environmentally
sustainable manner.
Objectives
• Education
• Emphasizing
consequences and
importance

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SO WHAT ARE
THE STEPS
TO GET THERE?

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Work intensively with schools to expand and
construct composting latrines for them.

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Implement a water harvesting system to
provide safe drinking water for schools.
Sketchup design by environmental engineer Frank Lopez

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Increase level of
knowledge in children and
adults of the community in
reference to topics on public
health.

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Construct a composting
latrine for a family with
limited resources for every
two schools that receive a
composting latrine.

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Legal Requirements
Resolución No. 78, de 24 de agosto de 1998. Por la
cual se aprueba en todas sus partes la norma
para la ubicación, construcción de letrinas y requisitos
sanitarios que deben cumplir. (G. O. 23,621)
“
”

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The resolution is divided into two sections, with a
total of 11 articles.
•Section 1: definition of a latrine
•Section 2: Requirements for location,
construction, and installation.

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Article 2 Consideration to urbanization
Article 3 Authority in design
Article 5 Location of latrine
Article 6 Distance from water source
Article 7 Distance of latrine to
phreatic zone
Article 8 Distance of latrine from building
Article 9 Latrine maintenance
Article 10 Infractions

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Image from MANUAL PARA LA LETRINA ABONERA Y LETRINA DE HUECO – Cuerpo de Paz 2011

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CONSTRUCTION
TIME!

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DAY 1

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1.

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2.

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3.

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4.

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DAY 2

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1.

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2.

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3.

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4.

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DAY 3

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2.

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3.

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FINAL RESULT!

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KEEP TOOLS CLEAN!

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WORK TIPS

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Wear
comfortable
clothes that
can get dirty!
Wear
closed
shoes

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This
Panamanian
weather is
rough!
This
Panamanian
weather is
rough!
If you feel weak or
dizzy, please take a
break and tell your
coordinator or available
staff about it!
Public Health – Panama has had
NO major injuries so far, let’s keep
it that way!

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A fun way to teach and learn!

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Waste
management
Water
Latrine
maintenance

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ARE YOU READY?