RATIONALE

The CHHC will promote   a holistic, preventive approach to basic health care. It will seek to promote healthy diet and the healing properties of herbs and other naturally occurring plants which have been validated by research. This philosophy of health will be promoted through training and health services.

In special cases of ailments and traumas effort will be made to harmonize physical, spiritual and psychological impacts.

The CHHC  is an expression of care in building a Culture of Dialogue,  Path to Peace in our society in line with vision-mission of Silsilah that promotes a style of life guided by the spirituality of life-in-dialogue  (with God, with self, with other and with creation) according to each one’s own religion.

The CHHC will include the plan to build linkages with government agencies and with similar holistic health care centers in the Philippines and other countries.

OBJECTIVES

The mnemonic E.A.R.T.H. helps to remember the   five basic objectives. They are:

1. Experience – To experience dialogue with creation connected to the other aspect of dialogue as a base to serve those who are in need, and as a concrete expression of dialogue as love in action and sometimes love in silence, attending to the health care needs of people   with compassionate heart and skills.

2. Assist – To assist those who need basic health care, giving special attention to preventive care and the use of natural medicines. Assistance will also be provided for some specific categories of sick people, like those with cancer and other forms of serious illness.

3. Research – To conduct research on traditional practices of medicine with a special attention given to herbs, plants and food. Research findings will be shared with other researchers to validate and disseminate useful information.

4. Training - To train people who have the heart to serve, especially those sent to our modular training by barangay health centers, groups, NGOs, institutions. The training design will include basic health care, use and preparation of natural/herbal medicine, alternative medicine like acupuncture and other practices, spiritual “therapy”, including seminars on trauma healing and other forms of therapy.

5. Harmony – To harmonize the different components: experience, assistance, research and training to serve people and spread this new approach of holistic health care as an expression of dialogue and a contribution toward a sustainable peace.