5H program
5H stands for Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Values and Harmony in Diversity. The aim of the programme is to uplift individuals and communities at the grassroots so that they become self-reliant, both socially and economically.
Set up in 1997, the goal of 5H is to create a social transformation that will eradicate poverty, misery and disease, and ensure peace and harmony among communities. In India, 35,712 villages have benefited from the programme. It is also being implemented in villages and urban slums in South Africa, Cameroon, Brazil, the United States of America and Kenya.
The 5 Areas of Development
Homes
5H helps communities with basic building needs such as homes, schools and multi-purpose community centres. The Art of Living provides these structures, and at the same time, fosters self-reliance in the community by educating people in areas such as construction, land-and-water-resource management, crop planning, and modern animal husbandry. The Art of Living has built 1,535 houses so far.
Health
The 5H action plan for health includes educating people about general health practices and healthy eating habits, particularly children and expectant mothers. The 5H programme believes that an emphasis on hygiene is the key to eradicating the majority of health problems in many villages. Great importance is placed on clean drinking water, spreading awareness about and dispensing viable alternative medicines, educating entire villages in methods of disease prevention and organising free health, dental and eye clinics in rural areas with volunteer medical professionals.
Hygiene
Achieving and maintaining good health is difficult where there are inadequate sanitation practices and a lack of clean drinking water. 5H volunteers help create vital awareness about hygiene through a variety of programmes. Projects include finding and providing clean drinking water, developing clean surroundings and a garbage disposal system, and organising camps on personal hygiene, drainage and sanitation awareness. 5H volunteers have adopted a practical approach, motivating and helping villagers to build toilets, drill wells for clean drinking water, construct water storage tanks and construct garbage bins where needed. Participants are inspired to take responsibility for their surroundings and keep them clean.
In a village in Haryana, India, the Art of Living’s youth leaders worked with residents to clean the area’s drainage systems and streets. They created a system of garbage collection and recycling to sustain sanitary conditions. Today, the garbage disposal system has created a cleaner environment and improved the health of the populace.
Human Values
The core of all the service programmes is human values – friendliness, caring, respect and trust. Through the projects, volunteers actively promote these values. Local community members embrace this unique attitude through integrated interactions, motivating each other and spreading the spirit of service with love. This attitude is the force behind the success of the 5H Programme.
Harmony in Diversity
Through an education that instils honour for diversity and a sense of belonging to the world, the 5H Programme creates a platform for sharing the common moral and spiritual values inherent in all religions. The programme provides cultural exposure to diverse populations through group meetings and community gatherings.
An outstanding example of implementation of Harmony in Diversity in Europe is the comprehensive trauma-relief programs provided by The Art of Living in Kosovo. At several of the trauma-relief sessions provided, participants from conflicting ethnic and religious groups at first did not wish even to greet each other. However, this animosity quickly passed thanks to the relaxation techniques used and the unique atmosphere of the programs.
- Optionen
