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The '''Hesperian Foundation''' is a [[non-governmental organization|nongovernmental]] [[non-profit organization]] publishing [[health]] guides for trained and untrained people to care for themselves and others. The foundation is based in [[Berkeley, California]]. Among their best-selling publibcations is ''[[Where There is No Doctor]]'', first published in [[1972]]<ref name="interaction">[http://www.interaction.org/members/detail.php?id=5582 InterAction member profile: Hesperian Foundation], InterAction: American Council for Voluntary International Action. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> and updated every few years;<ref name="wtind-1">[http://www.hesperian.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HB&Product_Code=B010R&Category_Code=ENG ''Where There Is No Doctor''] information page at Hesperian's official site. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> the book has been translated to more than 80 [[language]]s and the [[World Health Organization]] estimates that it may be the most widely used [[public health]] manual in the world.<ref name="mobility">[http://www.miusa.org/publications/freeresources/mti/chapter9 "Health of Women with Disabilities: An interview with Jane Maxwell of the Hesperian Foundation,"] ''Moving Toward Inclusion'', Mobility International USA (undated). Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
The '''Hesperian Foundation''' is a [[non-governmental organization|nongovernmental]] [[non-profit organization]] publishing [[health]] guides for trained and untrained people to care for themselves and others. The foundation is based in [[Berkeley, California]]. Among their best-selling publibcations is ''[[Where There is No Doctor]]'', first published in [[1972]]<ref name="interaction">[http://www.interaction.org/members/detail.php?id=5582 InterAction member profile: Hesperian Foundation], InterAction: American Council for Voluntary International Action. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> and updated every few years;<ref name="wtind-1">[http://www.hesperian.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HB&Product_Code=B010R&Category_Code=ENG ''Where There Is No Doctor''] information page at Hesperian's official site. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> the book has been translated to more than 80 [[language]]s and the [[World Health Organization]] estimates that it may be the most widely used [[public health]] manual in the world.<ref name="mobility">[http://www.miusa.org/publications/freeresources/mti/chapter9 "Health of Women with Disabilities: An interview with Jane Maxwell of the Hesperian Foundation,"] ''Moving Toward Inclusion'', Mobility International USA (undated). Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>


Hesperian's publications are known for their simplicity of expression and copious illustrations, both intended to make them suitable for use by ordinary people in home and community contexts. ''Where There is No Doctor'' in particular was praised by those who felt it "demystified and politicized health care," communicating that "although some health problems require expert medical attention, there is much that we can do on our own to positively affect our health," a message also communicated in subsequent works.<ref name="zmag">Cynthia Peters. [ Book review: ''Where Women Have No Doctor''], ''Z Magazine'', November 1997. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
Hesperian's publications are known for their simplicity of expression and copious illustrations, both intended to make them suitable for use by ordinary people in home and community contexts. ''Where There is No Doctor'' in particular was praised by those who felt it "demystified and politicized health care," communicating that "although some health problems require expert medical attention, there is much that we can do on our own to positively affect our health," a message also communicated in subsequent works.<ref name="zmag">Cynthia Peters. [http://www.zmag.org/zmag/articles/nov97peters.htm Book review: ''Where Women Have No Doctor''], ''Z Magazine'', November 1997. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>


The Foundation often works with other organizations to create new publications and revise older ones. The short work ''Water for Life: Community Water Security'' was published in conjunction with the [[United Nations Development Program]].<ref name="undp">[http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:GaS7i-H4bycJ:www.energyandenvironment.undp.org/undp/index.cfm%3Fmodule%3DLibrary%26page%3DDocument%26DocumentID%3D5637+%22hesperian+foundation%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=33&gl=us ''Water for Life: Community Water Security''] at United Nations Development Program: Energy and Environment. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> In 2006 the Foundation received a [[$]]40,000 [[grant]] from the [[Rockefeller Brothers Fund]] to develop a book on [[environmental health]]<ref name="rbf">[http://www.rbf.org/grantsdatabase/grantsdatabase_show.htm?doc_id=616997 Grants and grantees: Hesperian Foundation], Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>, and in 2004 the [[Firelight Foundation]] provided a small grant to fund the revision of the 1999 book ''HIV, Health, and Your Community''.<ref name="firelight">[http://www.firelightfoundation.org/Grants-Countries/Grants-Canada-UK-US.htm "Grants awarded in Canada, United Kingdom, and United States,"] Firelight Foundation. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
The Foundation often works with other organizations to create new publications and revise older ones. The short work ''Water for Life: Community Water Security'' was published in conjunction with the [[United Nations Development Program]].<ref name="undp">[http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:GaS7i-H4bycJ:www.energyandenvironment.undp.org/undp/index.cfm%3Fmodule%3DLibrary%26page%3DDocument%26DocumentID%3D5637+%22hesperian+foundation%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=33&gl=us ''Water for Life: Community Water Security''] at United Nations Development Program: Energy and Environment. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> In 2006 the Foundation received a [[$]]40,000 [[grant]] from the [[Rockefeller Brothers Fund]] to develop a book on [[environmental health]]<ref name="rbf">[http://www.rbf.org/grantsdatabase/grantsdatabase_show.htm?doc_id=616997 Grants and grantees: Hesperian Foundation], Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>, and in 2004 the [[Firelight Foundation]] provided a small grant to fund the revision of the 1999 book ''HIV, Health, and Your Community''.<ref name="firelight">[http://www.firelightfoundation.org/Grants-Countries/Grants-Canada-UK-US.htm "Grants awarded in Canada, United Kingdom, and United States,"] Firelight Foundation. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
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==Selected publications in English==
==Selected publications in English==
*''Where There is No Doctor''<ref name="tcin">[http://www.comminit.com/en/node/146735/36 "Creative Education Fund&mdash;Global,"] The Communication Initiative Network.</ref> <ref name="zmag">Cynthia Peters. [ Book review: ''Where Women Have No Doctor''], ''Z Magazine'', November 1997. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
*''Where there is no doctor''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="tcin">[http://www.comminit.com/en/node/146735/36 "Creative Education Fund&mdash;Global,"] The Communication Initiative Network.</ref> <ref name="zmag">Cynthia Peters. [http://www.zmag.org/zmag/articles/nov97peters.htm Book review: ''Where Women Have No Doctor''], ''Z Magazine'', November 1997. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
*''Where Women Have No Doctor''<ref name="tcin">[http://www.comminit.com/en/node/146735/36 "Creative Education Fund&mdash;Global,"] The Communication Initiative Network.</ref><ref name="zmag">Cynthia Peters. [ Book review: ''Where Women Have No Doctor''], ''Z Magazine'', November 1997. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
*''Where women have no doctor''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="tcin">[http://www.comminit.com/en/node/146735/36 "Creative Education Fund&mdash;Global,"] The Communication Initiative Network.</ref><ref name="zmag">Cynthia Peters. [http://www.zmag.org/zmag/articles/nov97peters.htm Book review: ''Where Women Have No Doctor''], ''Z Magazine'', November 1997. Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
*''Where there is no dentist''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref>
*''Where There is No Dentist''
*''A Book for Midwives''<ref name="tcin">[http://www.comminit.com/en/node/146735/36 "Creative Education Fund&mdash;Global,"] The Communication Initiative Network.</ref>
*''A book for midwives''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="tcin">[http://www.comminit.com/en/node/146735/36 "Creative Education Fund&mdash;Global,"] The Communication Initiative Network.</ref>
*''HIV, Health and Your Community''<ref name="saathi">[http://www.saathii.org/resources_materials/ToolForNGO.html "Free Online Manuals: ''HIV, Health and Your Community'',"] Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India.</ref>
*''HIV, health and your community''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="saathi">[http://www.saathii.org/resources_materials/ToolForNGO.html "Free Online Manuals: ''HIV, Health and Your Community'',"] Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India.</ref>
*''Disabled Village Children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families''<ref name="dinf">[http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/global/david/dwe002/dwe00201.htm ''Disabled Village Children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families''] via DINF: Disability INFormation Resources, Japan.</ref>
*''Disabled village children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="dinf">[http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/global/david/dwe002/dwe00201.htm ''Disabled Village Children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families''] via DINF: Disability INFormation Resources, Japan.</ref>
*''Helping Children Who Are Blind: Family and Community Support for Children with Vision Problems''<ref name="c2cn">[http://www.child-to-child.org/newsletter/2001-13.html "New publications,"] ''Child-to-Child Newsletter'', December 2001.</ref>
*''Helping children who are blind: Family and community support for children with vision problems''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="c2cn">[http://www.child-to-child.org/newsletter/2001-13.html "New publications,"] ''Child-to-Child Newsletter'', December 2001.</ref>
*''Helping children who are deaf: Family and community support for children who do not hear well''<ref name="disworld">[http://www.disabilityworld.org/01_07/helpingchildren.shtml "Book review: ''Helping children who are deaf'',"] ''Disability World'', January 2007.</ref>
*''Helping children who are deaf: Family and community support for children who do not hear well''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref><ref name="disworld">[http://www.disabilityworld.org/01_07/helpingchildren.shtml "Book review: ''Helping children who are deaf'',"] ''Disability World'', January 2007.</ref>
*''A health handbook for women with disabilities''<ref name="mobility">[http://www.miusa.org/publications/freeresources/mti/chapter9 "Health of Women with Disabilities: An interview with Jane Maxwell of the Hesperian Foundation,"] ''Moving Toward Inclusion'', Mobility International USA (undated). Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref>
*''A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities''
*''Water for life: Community water security''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref>
*''Water for Life: Community Water Security''
*''Helping health workers learn''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref>
*''Sanitation and cleanliness for a healthy environment''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref>
*''Pesticides are poison''<ref name="hesp-list">[http://www.hesperian.org/Publications_and_Resources.php Hesperian Publications and Resources], Hesperian Foundation.</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==

Revision as of 17:08, 1 January 2008

The Hesperian Foundation is a nongovernmental non-profit organization publishing health guides for trained and untrained people to care for themselves and others. The foundation is based in Berkeley, California. Among their best-selling publibcations is Where There is No Doctor, first published in 1972[1] and updated every few years;[2] the book has been translated to more than 80 languages and the World Health Organization estimates that it may be the most widely used public health manual in the world.[3]

Hesperian's publications are known for their simplicity of expression and copious illustrations, both intended to make them suitable for use by ordinary people in home and community contexts. Where There is No Doctor in particular was praised by those who felt it "demystified and politicized health care," communicating that "although some health problems require expert medical attention, there is much that we can do on our own to positively affect our health," a message also communicated in subsequent works.[4]

The Foundation often works with other organizations to create new publications and revise older ones. The short work Water for Life: Community Water Security was published in conjunction with the United Nations Development Program.[5] In 2006 the Foundation received a $40,000 grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to develop a book on environmental health[6], and in 2004 the Firelight Foundation provided a small grant to fund the revision of the 1999 book HIV, Health, and Your Community.[7]

As of 2007, the organization had a rating of three out of four stars from Charity Navigator for efficient use of donated funds.[8] Complementing its other activities, the organization includes a Gratis Fund that sends free copies of its publications to those who cannot afford them, a translation fund providing seed grants to cover the costs of local translation and adaptation in international communities, and a grant fund to assist health education programs in developing creative ways to use Hesperian publications by such means as street theater and radio broadcasts.[1][9] Access to the publications also is fostered through the organization's policy of permitting copying, reproduction or adaptation of any part of a publication to meet local needs "provided the parts reproduced are distributed free or at cost—not for profit," resulting in the availability of online copies of various publications.[10][11]

Criticism

Although the Foundation's early publications are praised by a variety of sources, some of the later and more specialized works have been critiqued as having insufficient grounding in personal experience at conveying certain principles to a population or as not sufficiently overcoming Western cultural assumptions about areas such as privacy.[12]

Selected publications in English

  • Where there is no doctor[13][9] [4]
  • Where women have no doctor[13][9][4]
  • Where there is no dentist[13]
  • A book for midwives[13][9]
  • HIV, health and your community[13][10]
  • Disabled village children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families[13][11]
  • Helping children who are blind: Family and community support for children with vision problems[13][14]
  • Helping children who are deaf: Family and community support for children who do not hear well[13][12]
  • A health handbook for women with disabilities[3]
  • Water for life: Community water security[13]
  • Helping health workers learn[13]
  • Sanitation and cleanliness for a healthy environment[13]
  • Pesticides are poison[13]

Notes

  1. ^ a b InterAction member profile: Hesperian Foundation, InterAction: American Council for Voluntary International Action. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  2. ^ Where There Is No Doctor information page at Hesperian's official site. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  3. ^ a b "Health of Women with Disabilities: An interview with Jane Maxwell of the Hesperian Foundation," Moving Toward Inclusion, Mobility International USA (undated). Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  4. ^ a b c Cynthia Peters. Book review: Where Women Have No Doctor, Z Magazine, November 1997. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  5. ^ Water for Life: Community Water Security at United Nations Development Program: Energy and Environment. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  6. ^ Grants and grantees: Hesperian Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  7. ^ "Grants awarded in Canada, United Kingdom, and United States," Firelight Foundation. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  8. ^ Charity Navigator: Hesperian Foundation. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  9. ^ a b c d "Creative Education Fund—Global," The Communication Initiative Network.
  10. ^ a b "Free Online Manuals: HIV, Health and Your Community," Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India.
  11. ^ a b Disabled Village Children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families via DINF: Disability INFormation Resources, Japan.
  12. ^ a b M. Miles. "Book review: Helping children who are deaf," Disability World, January 2007. Cite error: The named reference "disworld" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Hesperian Publications and Resources, Hesperian Foundation.
  14. ^ "New publications," Child-to-Child Newsletter, December 2001.
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