1) Community involvement… Local people understand their situation best and know what is important to them. This is why we have a Ugandan Team made up of local people and why we take time to discuss the challenges and possible solutions with parents.
2) Investing in people… Long term change comes through people. This is why we invest in people through health education rather than buildings. Mobile “health workers” spread health easily in a rural community with a story-telling tradition.
3) Prevention is priority… Prevention is better than cure as it offers a sustainable long-term solution to the problem of disease. Treatment is available but an emphasis is placed on prevention and healthy choices.
4) Local solutions… Helping Hands will always choose a local solution wherever possible as these are low cost, low technology and easily maintained. They make sense, last longer and are good value.
5) Specific targets… We have limited resources which we use in a focused way so as to affect the most change. This is why we do not do everything that could be done.
6) No strings attached... Although we see what we do as a practical expression of God's love we do not expect anything in return. This best reflects how we see God's unconditional love.
