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COVID-19 Prevention Project Alpharetta, GA
An elderly Wayuu woman wearing a protective medical mask.

The peak of COVID-19 cases among indigenous communities in Colombia will be between November and December

According to a report from the Colombian National Organization of Indigenous Peoples (ONIC), the peak of COVID-19 cases among indigenous communities in Colombia will be between November and December of 2020.

Due to several cultural and lifestyle factors, the Wayuu people are extremely vulnerable to this virus.

  • Lack of water (for handwashing and showers).
  • Poor nutrition – A high carb diet and very little proteins make their immune system weak.
  • Cooking with wood fire and exposing their lungs to constant smoke makes their respiratory system very vulnerable to this virus.
  • The Wayuu community culture enables the virus to spread faster than it would in a city setting.
  • Lack of proper areas to isolate people with symptoms.

These factors and many others make the Wayuu people an at-risk population.

Some reports from the Colombian Health Department suggest that the indigenous population, like the Wayuu people, could face a higher COVID-19 death rate than any other people in Colombia.
Wayuu people wearing protective medical masks
At Bread of Hope, we want to help keep our Wayuu communities safe.

Doctor Jose and nurse Yoilen Espina are part of our local team in Colombia. They created a workshop for Wayuu communities to provide basic information about the coronavirus and help prevent it.

We provide a sanitation kit with handsoap, face masks, and antibacterial gel for each Wayuu family.

For the next few weeks, we want to take this prevention plan to over 20 Wayuu communities reaching over 5,000 Wayuu people.

HELP US CONTINUE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

AMONG WAYUU PEOPLE.

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292 South Main St Suite 200
Alpharetta, GA 30009

Phone

678-343-5545

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