Meet Isabel*
“I like to take care of my family and hope to be a nurse and help people in my village.”
Program: Health – Hygiene Program
Teacher: Ana Suar
Age upon entering NDL program: 10 years.
School Grade: 4th grade.
Family: Isabel used to live with his grandmother and 16 cousins. Now she lives with her Mama and 3 siblings (under 10 years old). Absent father.
Paren’s Education: Her mother doesn’t have a basic elementary education.
Housing: Rented, with bathroom, without shower
Utilities at home: They cook with firewood, have water, electricity, & drainage.
The story of Isabel*
The situation: Isabel was living in a crowded home with her grandmother, her mother and 16 cousins and siblings. She recently moved with her mother and three younger siblings to a separate place. Since her mom works from 3am to noon, Isabel cares for her younger siblings. Before going to Niños del Lago, she takes her siblings to stay with her grandmother.
The challenge: When Isabel arrived at Niños del Lago she had serious personal and hygiene problems, due to lack of care and finances at home. NdL supports children like Isabel who attend the tutoring program by inviting them to a “Personal Presentation” day in which we focus on personal presentation, hygiene, cleanliness, and providing them with personal hygiene items. The goal is to help them develop new habits, regardless of their resources, advising how to make the best use of what they have.
The progress: The personal hygiene classes have greatly improved Isabel’s presentation habits and she now arrives to classes looking neater. Small actions like this not only support children’s quality of life and health but also boosts self-esteem. When Isabel joined the NdL program, she was a very shy, insecure child and spoke very little. Now she smiles more, is more open and friendly with her classmates and is creating bonds of trust with teachers and other children.
*Not their real names. Names changed for privacy.
