KFWH Condensed Learning Guide on Chagas! Press the Bug!

A Global Health Learning Initiative is a day-long, week-long, or month-long opportunity for students to learn about global health issues. It can be an alternative for existing chapter formats or a supplement to new and existing chapters. KFWH has tangibly impacted the world by contributing to eliminating sleeping sickness and other targeted neglected diseases; creating new health clinics in Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Chad, actively engaging legislators, collaborating with international experts and saving lives of Bolivians who suffer from Chagas disease.

 

A Global Health Learning Initiative will enable the chapter participants to share their knowledge and accomplishments, and for students and the community to come together in schools and across grade levels. They will develop a social conscience, educate themselves about neglected diseases and actively pursue a goal.

 

This is accomplished by engaging students in awareness and educational activities and events that focus on KFWH  “Aims”. This experience is comprehensive and may include exhibits and fairs, activities and games, talks by college students in the field, panels with international global health experts, fundraising events, chapter start-up information, publicity and community relations.

 

It is crucial for the next generation to be involved in global health issues. Global Health Initiatives are currently being held on college and university campuses across the nation in order to immerse students in learning about global health. As more and more centers of higher learning include global health programs in their curriculum, and as the world’s poorer cultures become more visible through the public media, Kids for World Health supports the events that focus on all of their goals.

 

The concept of a Global Health Learning Initiative is supported by the experience and opportunities realized over the past decade at KFWH. KFWH has set realistic goals based on a solid student voice, has successfully educated others through events, has tracked and built upon their successes in the international global health world and launched a comprehensive website.

 

Along with your ideas and possibilities for implementation, and the strategies KFWH has developed, KFWH can help launch Global Health Programs in our schools and communities.

 

The Aims of Kids for World Health

Awareness and Education

Fundraising

Membership Expansion

The Resource Guide

I. Awareness and Education of Neglected Diseases

• Education/Neglected Diseases – Kay Kobbe, KFWH founding teacher, addresses James Madison University Pre-Med Neglected Diseases Dept. on KFWH Program on Neglected Diseases.
• “A Human Rights Approach to Neglected Diseases”, WHO (World Health Organization)
• Mamaroneck Students Talk: How KFWH Influenced Their Lives

II. Chagas Disease

A. Research Library and Student Reads

•  Chagas Disease – Neglected Parasitic Infections
• Facts on Chagas
• “Declaration of the Global Chagas Disease Coalition”
• “Elimination of Chagas Disease” by Dr. C.J. Schofield, KFWH Advisor
• Chagas Information PLUS by G. Brune
• “Are We Cuddling Up to Kissing Bugs?” by Patricia L. Dorn, PhD, The American Journal of Medicine
• “Little Known Tropical Diseases Are a Growing Threat” by Kari Dequine Harden
• “Kissing Bugs Found in More Than Half the U.S: What is Chagas Disease?” by Robert Herriman

B. Recommended Book List

•   “Mountains Beyond Mountains”, Tracy Kidder.  Dr. Paul Farmer, Co-Founder of Partners in Health demonstrates how one person can change lives in Haiti.
•   “Chagas Disease”, Francis Delaporte, Fordham University Press.  A History of the study of Chagas in Brazil.
•   “The Kiss of Death”, Joseph William Bastien, Univ. of Utah Press.  An anthropoligist looks at the cultural and social aspects of Chagas Disease.
  
•   “To Repair the World: Dr. Farmer Speaks to the Next Generation”.
•   “Haiti, after the earthquake”, Dr. Paul Farmer. Dr. Farmer portrays a model for accompaniment in global health work.

C. Patient Stories from Bolivia

• Tiburcia Sacaca Quispe, a grandmother of six has life-saving surgery; project co-sponsored by KFWH
• Benita Mendoza Onco, a new mother of twins receives a pace-maker; project co-sponsored by KFWH

III. Media   

A. Maps and Printable Images

• “Chagas in Bolivia”. Center for Diseases Control PowerPoint images.  Please note, printer display pops up, click cancel to view images.
• “KFWH Enters South America”

B. Films

• “Triatominos”  by WHO, film about the parasite that causes Chagas, in Spanish.
• “Chagas Disease and The Pacemaker Process” Award winning film by KFWH Co-Founder, Emily Wharton, English version.
• “El Mal des Chagas el Proceso de Marcapaso” Award winning film by KFWH Co-Founder, Emily Wharton, Spanish version.
• “Founder and Student Intern, Emily Wharton, Talks to KFWH Chapter About Chagas”.
• “The Pacemaker Implantation Animation”.
• “Chagas Disease Documentary”, Explanation of Chagas in Bolivia, by Ann Blake.
• “Alianzas para el Control de Chagas”,  Features the latest work of Dr. Dorn and KFWH in Almolonga, Guatemala – 28:11, English Sub
• “Alianzas para el Control de Chagas” – Short, 12:16

C. Speakers Available for Chapter Education

D. Printable Certificate

E. Printable Logo

IV. Suggestions for Activities

• Education, Fundraising, Membership

V. A Human Understanding Approach to Global Health

• Human Cultures
• Open Questions
• Human Equality
• Compassion and Empathy – ”Ryan’s Well” – products “God Grew Tired of Us”, films addressing topic.
• Sustainable Partnerships – Dr. Jean Jannin; Paul Farmer; Geoff Miles, KFWH Peace Corp Volunteer
• College Level Guides
• Films
• Advisory Speaks
• Patient Stories
• Personal Stories
• A Day in the Life
• Curriculum on Africa

VI. Teacher Suggestions Outline for  Chagas Study: 5 day and extended

Suggestions for Kids for World Health Educational Prep.  for Brief Study in Partnership with Patricia Dorn, Ph.D.,Hutchinson Distinguished Professor Dept. of Biological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans

                                                 Elementary Age Groups-4/5

A. Step One: Basics

Hand-outs: Folders, Facts on Chagas Disease, Articles, Vocabulary List

1.View the film “Ryan’s Well”. (KFWH will provide this video through your Advisor.) Discuss what motivated Ryan to be a partner in helping others.

2. View the video, Alianzas para el Control de Chagas, an on-site film of the latest work of Dr. Patricia Dorn, Dr. Carlotta Monroy, and Kids for World Health in Almolonga, Guatemala at:             

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzzlQdjLL2Q                                                                      15 min.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tabCAkuQR0Q (the work of kfwh noted at17:07) 28:22                                    Discussion and listing of Questions for Dr. Dorn.

B. Step Two: Research

Go to the Kids for World Health Website. www.kidsforworldhealth.org

Go to Home Page and click on “KFWH Global Health Learning Initiative-2017-2018: Focus on Chagas Disease”

Scroll down to “Resource Guide” under Research Library” section for the following:

 1. “Chagas Disease” and “Facts on Chagas Disease” – hand-out copies to students

 2. Discuss topics of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and where Chagas is most prevalent.  What maps can be found to show locations where Chagas is present?

C. Step Three: Research- becoming experts..

     Possible themes for Group Research with use of the Resource Guide on kfwh website:  

1. What are ‘Neglected Diseases’?
2. What is Kids for World Health; its mission, history, purpose, current projects? kidsforworldhealth.org
3. View film by Emily Wharton : “Kids for World Health: A Conversation with Students at Murray Avenue School”.
4. What stories do we hear from patients on-site in Bolivia?
5. What information can you learn from other listed sources about Chagas?
6. What is the latest news from the FDA concerning treatment of Chagas?

 D. Step Four: Questions

1. View the film produced by Emily Wharton, Co-founder of KFWH, and former student of Mamaroneck Schools on “Chagas Disease and the Pacemaker Process” in either English or Spanish. Emily’s video was filmed while on site during a KFWH

What are some of the concerns of the patient being interviewed, and what is necessary in order for him to survive this disease?

2. What is life like for villagers in rural Guatemala?
3. What is the latest news regarding treatment of Chagas? Check out FDA press announcement!
4. What is “Partnership”? “What is Help”?

(remind students of our “Human Partnership” evening with John Dau and our work in  South Sudan.)

5. How does “poverty” affect health in rural communities and how does chronic diseases affect poverty?

 

 E. Step Five: Research Share

      1.Design a project for an exhibit that might include posters, poems, descriptive charts, facts, or other            for the purpose of educating others. Plan time for creating each project, either individually or as a              group.

     2. Schedule placement of exhibit with Science Fair and/or at the Hommocks for the annual STEM                 event, date to be announced.   

 

F.  Step Six: Ideas Forward

1. Discussion on fundraising ideas for house improvements or our other projects with Dr. Dorn in Guatemala through our partnership.
2. Publish writing or poems on the KFWH website through Contact Us.
3. Photograph process of learning for sharing on the website.
4. Photograph events concerning Chagas to post on the website.
5. Invite a KFWH recommended global health speaker to have further discussion with interested students. Please contact us for arrangements.
6. What is a “Day in the Life” of a girl or boy in Jutiapa, Guatemala. Ask some questions, and we will work to set up contact and video conference with a villager or village doctor!
7. Join in a Community Spring KFWH Jug Walk to fund our goals in villages in Guatemala!

 

                               Middle School and High School Age Groups 

 

Step by Step Suggestions for Kids for World Health              Educational Curriculum for Chagas disease and Speaker Patricia Dorn, Ph.D.,Hutchinson Distinguished Professor Dept. of Biological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans

Partnership with Kids for World Health, Larchmont/Mamaroneck, NY in Jutiapa,Guatemala

Questions? Contact Us at 914-844-0723, Board Team Representatives: Mary Davidson,              Kay Kobbe, Jane Rothman, Patrice Schwartz

 

High School and Middle School Age Groups

Step One:

View the video, Alianzas para el Control de Chagas, an on-site film of the latest work of Dr. Patricia Dorn, Dr. Carlotta Monroy, and Kids for World Health in Almolonga, Guatemala at:             

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzzlQdjLL2Q                                          15 min.

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=tabCAkuQP0Q                                        28:11 min.

Discussion of Content of on-site film.

Listing of Questions from Students for Dr. Dorn.

 

Step Two: Research

Go to the Kids for World Health Website. www.kidsforworldhealth.org

Click on “Home” page section: “KFWH Global Health Learning Initiative-2017-2018:  Focus on Chagas Disease”

Find the “Resource Guide” under “Research Library” section for the following:

“Chagas Disease” and “Facts on Chagas Disease” – hand-out copies to students.

Discuss topics of transmission, location, numbers, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and prevention.

 

 

 

 

Step Three: Research..becoming experts..

Possible themes for Group Research with use of the Resource Guide or choose topics of interest:  

1. What are Neglected Diseases?
2. What is Kids for World Health, its mission, history, purpose, current projects? kidsforworldhealth.org
3. What stories do we hear from patients on- site in Bolivia?  
4. Listen to the film produced by Emily Wharton, former co-founder of KFWH and former student of Mamaroneck High School on “Chagas Disease and The Pacemaker Process” in English or in Spanish. Emily’s film was made in Bolivia while doing a KFWH What are some of the concerns of the patient being interviewed, and what is necessary in order for him to survive the disease?
5. What maps can you find to locate countries and continents where Chagas disease exists?
6. What information can you learn from other listed sources about Chagas?
7. What is life like for villagers in rural Guatemala?
8. How does poverty affect health in rural communities and how does chronic disease affect poverty?
9. What is the latest news regarding treatment of Chagas? Check out FDA news article!

 

Step Four: Research Share

1. Group Share of information found.
2. Design a project for an exhibit that might include posters, poems, descriptive charts, facts, or other for the purpose of educating others. Plan time for creating each project, either individually or as a group.

 

 Step Five:  Forward and beyond…

1. Discussion on possibilities of fundraising for house improvements in Guatemala through KFWH partnership.
2. Discuss whether students would like to continue the work after school or during lunchtime with an advisor.
3. Publish writing or poems on the KFWH website.
4. Photograph process of learning for sharing on website.
5. Read books from the “Recommended Book List” or others that give understanding of partnership. Form a book group!
6. What is Partnership? What is Help? See “Events Article”
7. Invite a KFWH recommended global health speaker to have further discussion with interested students.
8. Brainstorm!