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Village Earth

Community-based Health Workers Provide a Lasting Solution to the Lack of Health Services

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Half of the world’s population lacks access to primary health care services. War, economic poverty, and corruption hinder the ability of governments to build and maintain health infrastructure, particularly in remote areas. Additional barriers for include high costs of medical care and medications, living hours of challenging travel away from any hospitals or clinics, and language/cultural differences also exclude millions of people from the opportunity to receive care. For many, the best solution does not rely on the construction of hospitals or clinics nor sending foreign doctors and nurses to attend to the sick. Instead, people have turned to trained community members for their health care services. The abilities of these health care workers range from first aide care and promoting healthier habits to a depth of care comparable to nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants. While many provide primary care services, some focus on particular areas like midwifery and nutrition as well as organizing and advocating for health care rights. In isolated regions of the world, community-based health workers are providing accessible and quality services that incorporate the needs and participation of those receiving care. During this course, Community-Based Health, we will take a look at the need for this type of health care model and how to further identify and support community-based solutions to health issues.

Upcoming Courses in the Village Earth/CSU Online Certificate Program in Community-Based Development

Winter II Session

GSLL 1501 – Approaches to Community Development

This course provides a framework for community development based on a participatory, bottom-up, multi-sector model. Various approaches have been used in community development with varying degrees of success. One approach that has consistently demonstrated effectiveness is the Village Earth model based on participatory practices.

Through personal and structural empowerment, the objectives of economic well-being, environmental sustainability, and socio-cultural vitalization can be met. By looking at an overview of the entire development process and using case studies, this course will prepare participants to work in the field of community development and illuminate how all of the development efforts fit together to support the overall goal of sustainability.

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

Compare different development approaches and evaluate their effectiveness.
Understand the basic principles that underlie sustainable development.
Incorporate participatory practices into community development activities
Design a development project based on the Village Earth model
Who should take this course? This course is suited for people who are interested in community development and work or plan to work in this field. This includes people working or volunteering at NGOs, NPOs, governmental organizations, without border organizations, or missionary organizations. In addition, people involved in funding community development projects benefit from this course.

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