In Colombia, Adventist Church Certifies Social Work Directors with the ‘I Want to Live Healthy’ program

August 13, 2020 | Bogotá, Colombia | Laura Acosta / IAD News Staff

More than 200 social work directors across seven states in Colombia completed the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s I Want To Live Healthy program recently, as part of a larger plan to assist municipal districts and their communities to promote healthier lifestyle as the pandemic crisis lingers.   The ‘I Want to Live Healthy’ certification training was done through e-learning zoom classes for nine weeks, included supplemental Adventist publications on strengthening the marriage, the home and society as well as parenting.

The “I Want To Live Healthy” initiative consists of the eight steps to living a healthy lifestyle: drinking water, keeping a positive attitude, eating salads, exercising, resting, avoiding poor foods, eating a better breakfast, less dinners and promoting happiness.

“There have been problems and deficiencies to cater to the those with disabilities in many communities and the rate of suicide among young people and family violence has also increased,” said Paola A. Vargas, program director of the I Want to Live Healthy program in South Colombia. In addition to several books published by the Inter-American Division Publishing Association (IADPA), collaboration with several Adventist universities in Inter-America, the certification was held in coordination with the Federacion Nacional de Departamentos, or National Association of States, in the country, explained Vargas.

Since June, the certification training consisted of one-hour zoom sessions Mondays through Fridays, for social work directors across municipal districts.  The main objective was to promote the integral health in their respective regions and assure inclusiveness among the disabled.

Erika Vasquez, social work director in North Colombia, thanked church leaders for the training sessions. “These sessions have empowered us and thanks to this course I was able to implement the program ‘Move for your health,’ in my municipal district

In the same way Angela Jaime, social work director in North Colombia, said that the training was not only good in regard to physical, emotional and psychological health but also to spiritual health, which many workshops do not include. “The I Want to Live Healthy program teaches this whole principle well, and it was really important,” said Jaime.

Dr. Claudia Ramirez, child, youth and equality advisory for women in Colombia for the National Association of States, took part in the certification program and said that it was very important for the social work teams of directors in the country. “The IADPA resources are the kind of content that supports not only nutrition but nourishes the soul for good social and cognitive development within families as social integrators,” she said.

Dr. Roel Cea, executive director of the “I Want to Live Healthy” network, was among the presenters during the certification program. He encouraged the 211 social work directors to live healthy. “Do you want to live healthy? What’s most important is that if you have decided to be healthy, then it is the time to share with others so that it can become a very important movement in our communities,” said Cea.

The two-month course ended with a special online graduation ceremony on Aug. 4, with Pastor Elie Henry, president of the church in Inter-America, congratulating the social work leaders. “A small virus transformed the world and changed everything: health, government, among others,” he said. “In the same way, we can be agents of change to transform the family with principles like the eight healthy habits and trusting in God.”

Mrs. Ramirez thanked church leaders and commented that the healthy initiative complies with all the standards of norms and values which allow parents and caregivers to be trained in the development and life skills of children while seeking a life without violence, good treatment, and self-love for the children of Colombia.

“This collaborative work is important for the personal growth for us who have taken the courses, and for our families and those who are near us,” said Ramirez. “Service to others is really a great call and great legacy that the Lord Jesus Christ left us.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is not a challenge for the I Want to Live Health program, according to Dr. Cea. “It’s a great opportunity to reach more people with a message of hope,” he said. “This [initiative] is relevant for everyone in this historic moment we are living in. The fact that we can promote integral or wholistic health, not only the physical aspect, but the mental, social, and spiritual aspect which are great dimensions for wholistic wellness,” CEA said.

Church leaders said that more certifications on the I Want To Live Healthy program will take place in the coming weeks for 14 more states across Colombia.

To learn more about the I Want to Live Healthy initiative, resources and activities, visit quierovivirsano.org

For more information on the certification led by the Adventist Church in South Colombia, visit unioncolombianadelsur.org