Taking the Bite Out of Tarija

A couple of years ago, the biggest worry for Daniela Contreras and Jose Castillo was the insects that might be living in the walls of the cramped house they shared with their two small children and Jose's mother. Today, they worry about where the bathroom should be located in their new, two-bedroom home.

In the poor, rural region of Tarija, Bolivia, where Daniela and Jose live, Chagas' disease — transmitted by insects that hide in the cracks of poorly constructed houses — kills hundreds and infects thousands of people every year. But since 2000, a CRS program in Bolivia has been working to eliminate the breeding ground for these insects by improving the living conditions of more than 17,500 families in four communities in the southern region of the country.

Chagas' disease is transmitted by triatominae, often called "kissing bugs" because they bite people's faces as they sleep. The disease is caused when parasites, carried in the bugs' feces, enter the bloodstream when feces are rubbed inadvertently into the eyes, mouth or bite wound.

Chagas' is characterized initially by prolonged fever and swelling at the site of the bite, but chronic effects, which may not occur for years or even decades, can damage the nervous system, digestive system and heart. In most cases, if left untreated, Chagas' disease is fatal. Because it is a bloodborne disease, Chagas' can also be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child or, in some cases, through breast-feeding.

Preventing Disease by Building Communities

Bolivia is home to one of the world's largest number of people suffering from Chagas' disease, with 1.8 million already infected and 3.7 million at risk. Currently, CRS aims to stem the transmission in Tarija by helping 8,000 families to construct new homes or improve their existing homes with new latrines, kitchens and cement floors.

The project, which is partly financed by the Bolivian Vice Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, brings together local government, nongovernmental organizations, church institutions, health centers, schools and community organizations.

In addition to building houses, the project provides training on health and hygiene and helps foster communication strategies within communities.

But the ultimate goal is an organized community.

So while Jose and Daniela were building the walls and roof of their own home, they were also contributing toward community projects. Jose, for example, helped build a community center, while Daniela served as a volunteer warehouse manager.

Just like Daniela and Jose, thousands of families in Bolivia have found a way to improve their lives not just by building their own homes, but by building up their communities.