Our Peruvian Youth Advocates for Health (YAH)

Health Advocate classes began in July, and the youth are proving to be shy, but willing students. It will take time to get them comfortable with all of the new information. They will also need a lot of encouragement to help them overcome their self-doubt to become the great community leaders we know they can be. You'll notice that most of the YAH are girls, which is a fantastic achievement, since women are often less inclined to be active community members in a macho society. Below you'll find their individual stories.

Malú

Malú is 14 years old and is in her third year of high school. She is planning to go to university to become an obstetrician. Her future plans to become a doctor motivated her to join our health classes. Malú is the captain of the girls volleyball team, Las Rebeldes. She weaves and crochets beautifully. She likes to play volleyball, dance and cook.

Jeffry

Jeffry is 15 years old and in his fourth year of high school. Jeffry is an excellent student, both in high school and in our classes. He would like to study Information Technology at university in either Lima or Piura after graduation. In his free time he likes to exercise, run and read.

Meliza

Meliza is our youngest Youth Health Promoter and the sister of Esgardo and host sister of our volunteer Valerie. She turns 12 years old this October. One day Meliza would like to be a nurse or doctor in a big city in Peru; either Piura or Lima. She likes to help her parents in the chacra, play volleyball, dance, cook and watch movies in the health post.

Kely

Kely is 17 years old and is a recent high school graduate. She is currently living with her family in San Francisco, working in the chacras. Next year she plans to move to Lima to work and study Information Technology. In her free time, Kely likes to listen to music and weave ponchos or other types of clothing. She is a Youth Health Promoter because she enjoys learning new things and has an interest in health.

Yesica

Yesica is 15 years old and is in her second year of high school. She has five brothers and sisters. Yesica plays volleyball every Sunday with the Las Carmelitas volleyball team. She also likes to work in the chacras, help with housework and dance. She hopes to learn more about health in our classes and is always one of the first to arrive.

María Luisa

María Luisa is 17 years old and currently in her last year of high school. She plans to go to university in Piura and is considering studying Business Administration. She plays on the San Francisco girls volleyball team, Las Rebeldes. She likes to weave, dance, take walks through the sierra and work in the chacras.

Rubi

Rubi is 17 years old and is finishing her last year of high school. She is planning to move to Lima after graduation to work, probably as a seamstress. In her free time, she likes to sew, weave and dance. She is a Youth Health Promoter because she hopes to learn more about better health through our classes.

Ruddy

Ruddy is 13 years old and is in her first year of high school. Her favorite subject in school is Communications because she likes to read and write. She thinks that one day she will move to Lima to work, but she’s still thinking about what kind of job she wants in the future. Her favorite things to do are dance, weave, cook and help her parents take care of the house.

Marlis

Marlis is 12 years old and in the first year of high school. Her favorite subject in school is Math. Her favorite things to do are sew, help her parents in the chacras and in the house, play volleyball and listen to music. She is planning to move to Lima to study at university. She wants to become either a teacher or a doctor.

Griselda

Griselda is 13 years old and also in her first year of high school. Griselda plays volleyball with lots of our other Promoters on the girls team, Las Rebeldes. Griselda enjoys studying and learning new things which is why she decided to join the Youth Health Promoters. She also spends a lot of time helping her parents in the chacras.

Fidelina

Fidelina is 14 years old and another Las Rebeldes volleyball player. Her favorite things to do are play volleyball, talk with friends and sleep late. She wants to attend university in Piura and is thinking about working as a secretary in the future.

Karina

Karina is 13 years old and is halfway through her first year of high school. Her favorite subject is Communications. She likes to read, help take care of the house and play volleyball for fun. She'd like to move to Lima after high school to work.

Maricela

Maricela is 16 years old and has just one year of high school left. She likes to study Communications and read. She is planning to move to Lima after graduation to work. In her free time she likes to play volleyball (just for fun), study and take walks. She is a Youth Health Promoter because she is interested in health.

Esmilda

Esmilda turns 14 years old this October and is in her second year of high school. Her hobbies are playing volleyball, helping her parents take care of the house and the chacras, cooking and reading. Her favorite subject in school is Communications. She wants to learn more about health in our classes. She is thinking about moving to Lima where her sister lives after graduation.