Enabling individuals and communities to control their health.
To ensure the power and sustainability of our projects, Doctors of the World – USA (DOW) mobilizes the communities we serve to play an active role in solving health problems.
Uniting communities. DOW unites communities and local organizations to promote and advocate for health needs. In Kosovo, DOW mobilized the families and communities of children with disabilities to ensure that the government provides necessary health and social services. Collaboration between NGOs and other advocates provides a platform for a stronger voice, such as the professional association of Roma Peer Health Educators that DOW helped train and unite in Romania.
Empowerment through knowledge and training. Lack of access to education and information fuels the health epidemics and human rights abuses faced by the poor and vulnerable. DOW provides community training programs to educate health workers on identifying illness and refering patients for treatment. DOW-sponsored community awareness campaigns enable individuals to recognize symptoms, seek treatment, and prevent further illness. Skills trainings, such as our program in nutrition and sustainable farming methods in Kenya, empower individuals to overcome the barriers imposed by poverty or discrimination.