Our first summer intern Madison McNair was an administrative intern for READ in 2017. She taught ESL classes, gave tech support, and assisted with group and community activities. The biggest impact of her stay with READ was a health assessment study she designed and implemented. The study evaluated the physical, nutritional and mental health of youth 13-16 years old. The findings of the study were a surprise to us.

Madison’s comments on her experience “Being READ’s first international intern was by far the best learning experience I have had and I have endless gratitude for everyone involved. Having been there for only around five months, I had the adventure of a lifetime. READ allowed me to develop new skills in public relations in both Spanish and English, leadership through developing my own health study and educating children how to speak English. The health study looked at two very different communities in the Andes of Ecuador; Apahua isolated and remote on the altiplano, and Macuchi, located at a lower elevation, more involved with other communities and READ. Our data showed that Apahua’s adolescent community tested significantly higher in both anxiety and depression and they were smaller in stature and weight than their counterparts in Macuchi. Nutritionally, Apahua’s community, on average, were not eating enough to fulfill the United States standard, while Macuchi’s community, on average, were eating more processed sugar and “junk food”. Written results were reviewed and given to all participants in the hope that it can be the beginning of awareness to the importance of taking care of your own health.

Impact on READ programming After seeing the data showing anxiety and depression to be a significant problem among youth in Apahua , READ began to offer youth groups in April 2018. We have over 40 participants. The goal is to give the youth a sense of community, learn together and have fun. We are grateful for all the work and energy Madison put into this study. She brought us a fresh, new perspective and the youth of Apahua are reaping the benefits. Thank you Madison!!!!!!