The family health and rural improvement program in Tari

The Family Health and Rural Improvement Program (FHRIP) grew out of 25 years of research activity in Tari. Between 1995 and 2000 FHRIP assisted over 300 families in 20 communities in Tari to acquire a water supply, sanitation, nutritional gardens and small livestock, and provided health education. The program demonstrated that with appropriate assistance local people could improve their health and start small projects that promise real development in their communities. The extension of this experience is occurring under Community-Based Health Care in several highlands provinces. However, FHRIP had to overcome many internal and external obstacles, and more commitment from the public sector, together with long-term assistance from aid agencies, is required if such initiatives are to grow and flourish.