By: Jessica Stuart
Last week, I filmed the launch of an NTD treatment program in Recife, Brazil with the Global Network. Recife is Brazil’s fourth largest city with 1.5 million people, but one million of those people live in poverty. Brazil has made incredible progress fighting neglected tropical diseases in many areas, but the poorest of the poor are still at risk for NTDs like Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), leprosy and intestinal worms. As the country grows into a world superpower, cities like Recife are working with partners like the Global Network, PAHO, and Miss Universe to help eliminate the unnecessary pain and suffering caused by NTDs.
Current Miss Brazil Debora Lyra and former Miss Brazil and BAND TV presenter Renata Fan joined the fight last week with a very special visit to the Jose Cordeiro School in Cohab, Recife.
The children were curious about our visit, and when we told them that Miss Brazil was coming, they were excited. They had so many questions. Why is this happening at their school? Why are they special? Why now?
The school is part of an important outreach effort taking place. Teachers are working to educate the children about NTDs. Most of all, they are there to let the children know that these diseases are PREVENTABLE. And elimination is possible, especially when you start with a child. If you can teach a child, a child can bring the knowledge home to a family.
During our visit, 100 children were tested for LF . 1.7 million people are at risk in this particular part of Brazil. LF, or elephantiasis, is transferred to humans through mosquito bites. While children are most at risk, many of the debilitating, painful and disfiguring symptoms of the disease don’t occur until later in life. This cruel disease causes tremendous amounts of stigma and isolation. Since test results return within 10 minutes, we were able to know that day if any children were infected.
The test for LF is a simple finger prick. Testing took place in the school’s library, the only room in the school with air conditioning even though it was 110 degrees! This is considered the last part of Brazil to still see instances of this disease—the country is extremely close to eliminating LF. By 2015, Brazil plans to say goodbye to the disease for good.
Miss Brazil Debora Lyra and Renata Fan are so proud of their country. They know what it means to be ambassadors and to stand for the progress Brazil is making. The opportunity to visit with children was a joy for them. When they arrived, it was hard to tell who was more excited: the children or the visitors as they entered each classroom.
Renata Fan met the children and offered each a word of encouragement and a compliment to each one. The children were enchanted and listened intently to her words of advice.
Miss Brazil 2010 Debora Lyra spent the entire day at the school, visiting every single classroom and helping the teachers explain how a test can help make their lives so much better. She could see potential in every set of eyes and every raised hand.
Debora proudly took a blood test herself to show the frightened little boys and girls that it’s okay- just a prick of the finger- and it’s for good.
As Debora entered the room, she instantly had the attention of the students. She joined the class in the lesson. They were so excited to know the answers to the questions she was asking. I could see and feel her joy with the kids. And I could see how excited she was to witness the phenomenal work of her fellow citizens.
At the end of day I caught my translator Bruna chuckling at three children talking behind us. An excited little girl was chatting away with two boys. Bruna told me that they were discussing what they want to be when they grow up. The girl announced she would be Miss Brazil—and she also wants to be a role model. The boys had decided they would be cameramen like our visiting crew! They keep talking excitedly about who will be the cameraman and who will be the soundman.
For the school, it was an exciting day of cameras, American filmmakers, high-level health officials, even two Miss Brazils! We actually showed- even just for an afternoon- a glimpse outside of their community of possibility. A glimpse of a universe outside of their own. No doubt they will not forget this day. Nor will any of us involved.
By the way, all of the filariasis tests came back negative. Progress!
Jessica Stuart is an award winning producer and consultant. Her video work and live productions have been seen around the globe- on television, the web, and in theaters. She has worked for NBC Network News, The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC Network News, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In September 2008, Jessica created Long Story Short Media, an independent creative consulting and producing firm, specializing in short form, multi-use content. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband, David, her son Alexander, and their rescue dog, Riley Martin.