Community outreach
It takes a village to build lasting social change.
Like a tree without nourishing soil, an individual cannot grow without the support of his or her community. OHS realizes the importance of integrating the community in order to develop mutually beneficial relations between OHS’ children and the surrounding community.
It is indivisibly connected—raising up children, raising up villages, families. There is no point in doing one without the other, because if you only do one, it will not sustain itself.
OHS has assisted with the distribution of water to two sub-villages and one primary school in Mateves. The implementation of high-quality piping connects much needed water to areas commonly suffering from draughts during the dry season. Neighbors are also able to access the OHS site tap during morning and evening hours. Learn more about water sustainability.
OHS is in the process of establishing a Mateves Community Health Center. The health center will focus on providing low-cost prenatal and pediatric care in this rural community. By advocating pregnant mothers to receive HIV tests during prenatal clinical care, we can significantly limit mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Promoting children’s health limits the numbers of unnecessary deaths due to malaria, pneumonia, diahorreal diseases. Accessible and affordable healthcare ups the quality of life of an entire community, so that people may have the opportunity to turn their energies toward achieving their human potentials. Learn more about community health.
With the support of local community leaders, OHS will initiate the first comprehensive village and ward survey. This ward-wide survey will take into account population census, social, and economic factors. Accurate demographics is important to identify and understand the needs and the resources so that directed action can be taken to answer the need. Consistent monitoring will keep track of the progress of humanity, demonstrating areas of growth and decline over time. It will help OHS to strengthen and realign our efforts to promoting social welfare.
The most updated information sites the population of Mateves ward at 6395 adults according to the 2006 census. The population has since increased significantly due to new births, an influx of migrant workers, and new inhabitants. Many statistics for this region are undocumented.
The overall condition of children is hugely underrepresented in terms of numbers, and in terms of protecting the rights of children. Identification of vulnerable children will bring to light the truth about the rate of child trafficking, child labor, and the use of children for sexual exploitation. We can begin to speak up for and improve the well-being, education, and health of these children by realizing what we face now. Read more about the need for children’s rights.
Water