Fatima's story - photo below

Fatima del Carmen Medina
Regional CHE leader.

Aged 29. Married, with 3 children: Guidman, 13, Wilmington, 7, Abery, 3.
Lives in El Limonal, Chinandega

I began working with CHE in 2001 through the Nehemiah Center, in Managua (www.nehemiahcenter.org). We formed a CHE committee in El Limonal, and trained other women in preventive health care, promoting good health, and the abundant life in Jesus.

Everything I have learned in CHE has helped me so much.
I have learned to connect with many people, both foreigners, and nationals. I have been to other communities to share what I have learned. I feel very happy when I see women who have learned at my trainings.


The work is hard: for example, sacrificing the care of your own family in order to go to other communities. However, I know that many people are praying for CHE.

It’s wonderful to be part of bringing souls into the way of the Lord.

I am also one of the brigadistas, or community health workers, for the Ministry of Health in my community. We are responsible for notifying the Ministry of malaria and dengue cases, and for monitoring and tracking infectious diseases like that. Also, infant and maternal deaths, mountain leprosy, pneumonia, diarrhea, we need to track those, too. We work with the doctors, (I work with a pediatrician, as well), and can also give some basic health recommendations. I am also involved in AIDS education. There is definitely overlap from this work to my work with CHE - the 2 things go well together.

People from all the denominations come to the CHE meetings. We share Bible teachings in our meetings, as well as a practical training each time. We have seen changes in the personal hygiene of a number of women, as well as positive changes in their homes.

In El Limonal there is a group of 5 women, including me, making jewelery, which is improving our economic situation. Everyone can sell what they make. Our husbands’ pay is low - around $65 - $70 every 2 weeks.

In CHE the women learn to make a budget in order to calculate prices to sell their work, including their time for labour, and the cost of materials. That is an actual CHE class.

I coordinate meetings in the community. For example, the Rotary Club and Food for the Hungry put in a classroom for the school, and there are meetings to work on those kinds of things, or on giving out school supplies for the children.

On Saturdays, I am taking a computer course, and on Sundays, I am completing my second year of high school. I thank the Lord that He has provided me with a scholarship so that I can get ahead, and prepare myself better for community work.