Indiana Owes Much to her Community

At Batteries Orientales, a rural community in Masaya department, find Indiana Ruiz, a swarthy young lady whose face does not hide the work. With fifty years old, married and the mother of five children, gives his energy for the welfare of their community.

Originally from Managua, Indiana reaches Masaya communities with parents looking to start a new life after the devastating earthquake that rocked the capital in 1972. "My mom liked Masaya for its tranquility, the people are very attentive and ever since we were here,"   Indiana account.

He married very young, with only sixteen and always struggled to support your home and grow up in the  personal and professional.

Like everything was beginning to be difficult for Indiana country life because  things are different "In the city one finds all sales (small shops), but here in the country is due to manufacture" recalls Indiana. His family had returned and she did not have anyone but her husband.

Today he says he feels proud "member of the community." Indiana, and a member of the Battery, is a strong leader who works on the issue of health. Completed a nursing assistant coach, supported by friends. He still remembers that her children were at home they remain small, and would study Managua daily. Today you can enjoy the rewards of their efforts.

Indiana gave labor for seventeen years at the Health Center of Masaya Dávila Bolaños, work that combined with the sale of fruit and vegetables produced her husband to help around the house and delivering on the market. "Every day I get up at one in the morning to take the time and let things made of the house, ready to go to deliver the sale, and once gave me change her apron for my white uniform, and so I met many "mentions Indiana.

And the work made her parallel trade. According to her account could not sell and no one had thought, but looked all women of the community came out to sell what their husbands harvested. He still remembers that she asked a sister to teach him because he wanted to help her husband, that some twenty-five years ago, and today seems to be successful in marketing.

Following the passage of time and personal problems to leave your job Indiana Hospital Masaya, but leaves the issue of health, which she is passionate, loves. When he retired from his formal work she thinks one way of projecting their knowledge is to organize a group of women to do advocacy work on preventive health issues. Starts and a group of six to ten young adult women. 

"When we started with the group was young and adult, I insisted to them that were already moms who take care of their children,  who are cared for at home hygiene, and disease prevention, young women were mentioned diseases the community and how to care for themselves, "says Indiana.

About three years ago,   World Vision began supporting the community, and she manages to include in this group trainings and organized. Today this group that started with the motivation of Indiana has twenty women and forty health volunteers who are active in the area of breastfeeding.

"I tell them that we are millions in knowledge, because to the extent that we know more, we provide the community. I am happy because now I teaching girls walk HIV issues, adults have been the subject of health and nutrition for children is important, "he says proudly Indiana.

Besides teaching, Indianita, as they call for love in their community cares about them "something more" to women. They have thought of a small productive projects that can contribute to nutrition, but also generate revenue:  the cultivation of soy. Enthusiastically account "My husband gave me a piece of land to work that little project with them, and teach them to cook it to see that food is good, and hopefully it is over and we have some money."

On the subject of health, Indiana, is the leader of his community. Says that although there are in organizational structures and other leaders "respects the job."

The community houses are removed from each other. Although there is a community health post where people come Indiana for their "reviews". The community attending since Monday, Wednesday and Friday, "you know that emergencies do not wait days, this is home base health, and if people come for help me I can not deny" emphasizes.

Its unconditional dedication to the people and community have earned him a special place. Indiana continues to rise in the morning to go to the market to sell, on his return, despite the sun, dust and fatigue she does not stay quiet when you know someone is waiting for more than a visit. Indiana says was the Heavenly Father (God) who helps organize your time.

"If people are looking for me or tell me that someone is sick (a), I think it's because they want you to know about them, so I'll see you one, two or three times if necessary. I urge you to go to the hospital, if evil were given the afternoon I give them their first aid to arrive in the hospital as well dawns "he says.

Feel satisfaction in knowing that where it touches the door for help, an answer arrives, claims to know that it is God who touches hearts. Indiana organizes educational lectures for the group, explained that with the training that World Vision and other organizations have given have helped to improve and has given more.

In addition to health talks, the group attended five women who can not read, and Indiana in a very proactive helps to know the basics, "I'm not going to give any degree or diploma, but I do not cheat, they can put their name and they are happy. I paid two chairs at school and organize the time because I know who work in their homes, "explains Indiana.

Asked if he has any pending visit for the day, said yes. It has to do a walk of a mile to know how he was still a child with diarrhea who consulted her mother. It is noon the sun is intense, but Indiana does not think more and will visit Dona Alejandra.

"Whenever something if I can not go myself, I send one of my children to go where Indianita and asked what to do to care for the children, because sometimes there are the health center. She is always on the lookout for one, give me advice, thank you very much "says Dona Alejandra Diaz, 37, who has five children.

 No doubt in Las Pilas, Dona Indiana does not go unnoticed, your community has a health woman in love, and she feels even more is planned, has welcomed the group, for the achievements they have made to the conditions improve.

By Miriam Díaz