Integrating health initiatives into existing church-based social programs in rural India

Improving the quality of life for the people of the developing world is a goal shared between the faith community and secular world leaders. In addition to building churches and sending missionaries abroad to address the spiritual needs of unreached people groups, churches in the developed world are supporting projects that minister to health needs. One such project has been underway for the past two years among the rural fishing villages of Andhra Pradesh, India. An initial assessment focused on safe water, environmental sanitation, nutrition, general preventive and curative health services. Evidence of contaminated water sources, lack of sanitation facilities, childhood under-nutrition, and poor childbirth practices formed the priorities for the current phase of the project. Presentations of the assessment findings resulted in church or individual sponsorship of wells to provide safe drinking water to the village people. Building on an existing literacy evangelism program, health messages are being integrated into the lessons for all age groups regarding personal hygiene practices and the importance of good nutrition for all. In addition, the church structure is being used to provide a village meeting place for bi-weekly lessons open to all faith groups on a variety of health related topics. These include care of the drowning victim, wound care, fractures, treatment of fevers, diarrhea and dehydration (etc.). Particular attention is devoted to traditional birth attendants in each village to improve the birthing practices. Respecting local customs while integrating scientific practices into the training program, is improving health outcomes for the village people.