Housing Improvement and Chagas Disease Prevention
Daniela Contreras and José Castillo have two young children, ages 6 and 2. Until recently, they shared a small house with José's mother, dreaming of one day having a home of their own. Now, thanks to the Housing Improvement and Chagas Prevention project, that dream has become a reality. They bought a small piece of land and are now in the process of finishing the construction of their simple home, which includes a kitchen, a common area, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Traditional housing construction in the department of Tarija.
As participants in the project, Daniela and José have learned to build their own house. Over almost a year, they have learned to prepare adobe bricks, construct the walls and roof, and finish the interior. José has also contributed to the construction of the community center, while Daniela has served as a volunteer warehouse manager. At the same time, Daniela and José have also learned about Chagas disease, a deadly illness prevalent in their community in the department of Tarija, that is transmitted via an insect that lives in the cracks of poorly constructed houses.
The goal of CRS Bolivia's Housing Improvement and Chagas Disease Prevention project is to improve the quality of life of residents in four municipalities in the department of Tarija.
How Do We Do This Project and What Are Our Accomplishments To Date?
CRS aims to stem the transmission of Chagas — a tropical disease characterized by prolonged high fever, edema, and enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes — in rural areas by working with 8,000 families to construct new homes or improve existing homes in areas where the disease is prevalent.
Former Bolivian President Carlos Mesa (second from right) participates in a 2004 housing inauguration.
Project activities include the following:
- Training
- Organizing communities
- Improving the structure of traditional housing
- Developing communication strategies
- Disseminating information in rural schools and communities
- Maintaining new infrastructure
Background of the Project
CRS operates the Housing Improvement and Chagas Disease Prevention project in cooperation with the Bolivian Vice Ministry of Development, Urbanization and Housing, municipal governments, local nongovernmental organizations, church institutions, health centers, schools and community organizations. The project will run until 2010.
