Immigrant and Refugee Health Rights in Costa Rica : Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children

The Planning…  Why I was interested in working on health rights  Human rights involvement since high school  Community service  Interest in working with children  Why I believe health care is a human right  My original proposal: Lebanon  Why that didn’t work out  How I focused on Central America

Costa Rica

From Nicaragua to Costa Rica  Lots of economic and civil problems in Nicaragua have caused lots of Nicaraguans to migrate to Costa Rica  Why they don’t get health care

Alajuelita  Mainly women and children from Nicaragua  Approx. 12,500 individuals living in ~1300 homes

The Community  Health problems  Lots of people in small spaces  Garbage situation  Plumbing, electricity  Primary illnesses encountered  Social problems  Drugs, alcohol  Abuse  School system  Crime

What did I do? In the clinic  Observing/assisting doctor  Explaining to patients  Translating  Tracking, filing, inventory, records

My job…  In the community  Health education presentations  Water project  Small projects

Questions?