REAP plans to establish proven natural medicines as central to rural living and train small scale farmers in 10 rural Kenyan communities to grow, process and use proven herbal medicines for accessible and affordable health. We focus on sharing knowledge and providing quality planting material. Using relevant and accessible, scientifically researched medicinal plants, including Artemisia and Moringa, we take teaching and planting materials to where they can be used for maintaining health.
Our target population is the rural poor; those with a small plot supporting many people, in western Kenya. Access to health services is limited. Health care is expensive and a major drain on family resources. Many do not seek medical help until a condition has developed into a serious case; it is then even more expensive to treat and can become life threatening. The health system focuses on healing rather than keeping healthy. Our teaching focuses on health and early available treatment.
We promote Primary Health Care at home; Train key contacts in 10 communities to grow, process and use about 20 proven medicinal plants and 5 preparations; Introduce some new plants, multiply them and distribute alongside local teaching; Teach communities on what can be done by example, through churches and community organisations; Through interaction and follow up, help overcome prejudices to make natural medicines more available and acceptable. Promote more widely through our farm and shows.
Our aim is to promote a culture of health, and enculturate the growing and use of natural medicinal plants at home in the same way as food plants are. It is our plan that the 20 medicinal plants we promote will be part of what is normally grown and used within 10 chosen communities, chosen so ideas will spread widely. In particular we aim to spread Artemisia and Moringa so that they are common plants available in most homes in the community. The teaching includes sustainable local propagation
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
