Xiomara Romaro, Facilitator

Xiomara Romano takes a saliva sample from a child during the pilot study in Managua.

When SEPA came to my neighbourhood [as part of the pilot study] in 2004, my community schooling began, “learning by doing” along with community leaders, churches, the Ministry of Health, brigadistas and households.

Our neighbourhood registered high levels of larva and pupa in the baseline survey. We managed to bring down that result through the perseverance of Nubia, Claudia, Mario and Milagros, among other brigadistas: people who said that yes, we could do it. This learning has helped me to keep improving, learning and knowing about the actions of people in the different sectors I assist.

I have met people willing to do volunteer work to improve their community, since SEPA is not just about dengue, but is also an axis for different activities, both at a personal and community level.

Something I like about the project is that adults have accepted young brigadistas when they visit their households. They congratulate them on the work they do, and ask them not to stop working  for the community.