The Spina Bifida Prevention Project

“One in 150 babies in Guatemala are born with Spina Bifida. La Vida is sponsoring a campaign to reach out to 20,000 young women to promote the consumption of folic acid which prevents Spina Bifida”

Project Co-ordinator: Aneli Gonzalez
Location: Guatemala

COMPLETED

Summary

The project is handled by the Spina Bifida Association in Guatemala.
They will create a DVD with which to tour around 150 schools along with trained doctors and midwives to promote the consumption of folic acid.
By the end of 2009 we expect to have reached out to around 20,000 young people of reproductive age through these workshops – helping the prevention of Spina Bifida.

Description of Project

The objective of the project is to promote the consumption of folic acid in women of reproductive age from 14-49 to reduce the incidence of Spina Bifida in Guatemala. Specific objectives are to train teachers from middle school to high school about the consumption of folic acid in order to prevent Spina Bifida and make sure they impart this knowledge across their classrooms. This should help spread these teachings further within the local communities.

Every school targeted will receive a package of teaching materials which will include laminates and a DVD for the use throughout the school year.

The project will cover 2,250 teachers in the Centre and West area of Guatemala at 150 schools. The educational materials will promote the consumption of foods rich in folic acid as well as folic acid supplements. We estimate to reach up to 20,000 young men and women as a result of this campaign.

Apart from printed Materials and DVD – a qualified doctor will be hired to conduct the workshops with the teachers at every school. Total Cost : Q62,650, approx $8,000. This project was proposed to La Vida by Monica de Birnie, President of Spina Bifida Association and the nutritionist, Licda. Michelle de Batre