We returned to the local school in El Tololar to vaccinate 12 year olds against MMR. After receiving their vaccinations, the children were quite excited and comparing arms. Following the vaccinations, we led three classrooms in reproductive education. With the older group, ages 14-16, we divided the males from females, and conducted a safe, private forum for them to ask questions. There are few things more beautiful in life than watching kids transform when offered new knowledge.
The girls I worked with all agreed that they never had anyone to safely ask these personal questions about their bodies. I watched them become empowered, given the courage to say no to sex because they now knew the consequences of having intercourse before they are ready or without protection against pregnancy and STIs. Someone finally told them how and why to say no.
Two memorable quotes were:
"Girls get pregnant because they do not have the knowledge, we will get pregnant now only when we want to."
"There are guys who respect you and your decision and guys you send walking."
After our visit to the schools, we went into the community to speak to the people. One thing I noticed today about myself is sometimes my naive vision needs to be shattered. Although sometimes hidden, the struggle and hard times ARE apparent on the faces in El Tololar. One villager recounted stories of his neighbors and friends who are dying of kidney disease and how he may eventually be affected himself, but has to work despite the risk. There is fear and stress in this difficult environment, but they make their lives, their community as rich as possible under these difficult circumstances.
