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Foundation Human Nature (FHN) is a non-governmental organization that directly assists the long-term sustainable development of communities, in accordance with local needs and knowledge, to improve their quality of life.

Partnering local, national and international communities, we are establishing sustainable programs in the fields of health, education, gender issues, and economic and ecological activities. We aim to improve the opportunities and autonomy of local families guided by our ethos of sustainable human development. Through mutual learning and volunteer participation, we are increasing the global awareness of the developing world.

While our international base is in Germany, our main focus is currently in rural communities within Ecuador and in Ghana (see www.f-h-n.org). FHN's main project in Ecuador is located El Paramo region in the province of Esmeraldas. Together with the local communities, we constructed the region's first health center in the central village, La Y de la Laguna (La Y). The center provides the 6,000 inhabitants of La Y and its surrounding 31 communities with basic health care. In the same region, we have also initiated projects to address other integral aspects of development including education, conservation, gender, and micro-economics.

Health Center & Health Programs

fhn Ecuador directs a sustainable development program, focused on the promotion of health, in the region of El Páramo. fhn Ecuador (locally known as Naturaleza Humana/MeHiPro) is registered through the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. Our dedicated personnel in Ecuador divide their time between working in our office and in the field.

The Health Center: El Subcentro de Salud officially opened its doors in the community of La Y de La Laguna on December 15th, 2001. In order to hold local agencies responsible, however, fhn Ecuador has since signed a 4-way contract between themselves, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health, the Hospital of Quinindé and the Local Health Committee. With this contract, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health provides a rural doctor and dentist to work for one year in the health center in La Y. In addition, we have opportunities for international medical volunteers to assist both in the health center and in outreach programs.

Local Health Committee: In administering the health center, fhn works closely with a local health committee (El Comité de Salud) comprised of members from various local communities who represent local interest. The Comité de Salud was also instrumental in coordinating the construction of the health center. These committed individuals are undergoing monthly training workshops and capacity-building in order to independently administer the health center in the future.

In efforts to transfer management of the Health Center to the community, fhn has supported training of three local community members who now work as the health center administrator, laboratory technician, and nurse.

Health Promoters: In August 2002, each of El Páramo’s 26 communities elected one male and one female health promoter to undergo training as Community Health Workers. This group attends one workshop per month (lasting 1-3 days) on health-related topics, such as first aid, malaria testing, sexual and reproductive health, basic ophthalmology, medicinal plants, and more. fhn’s health promoters are also representatives of the health center in their communities, spreading health education messages throughout the region.

Please join us in this exciting international health opportunity in the beautiful tropics of South America!