WHAT WE DO:

Community-Based Work

Community-based reproductive health services are now widely seen as the best way to reach a large population at low cost, while also empowering women and sparking wider social change. Pathfinder pioneered this model that has become a standard the world over bringing services to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. 

Three key elements ensure Pathfinder’s success, enabling us to work in a variety of cultural, economic, and geographic settings throughout the world:

• We work though local organizations, which understand the local culture, are well positioned to earn the trust of clients, and can sustain programs after our involvement has ended.
• We seek out community and religious leaders, educating and engaging them in efforts to change attitudes and behaviors that are harmful to women and girls. When local leaders support the need for change, it’s easier for individuals to make those changes in their own lives.
• Our programs rely heavily on community health workers, who are often volunteers, to deliver information and services to local neighborhoods and homes. This makes it possible to reach a far larger population at far lower cost than traditional clinical-based service models.

From underserved urban neighborhoods to isolated rural areas, we reach thousands of women each and every day. Through this work we are truly changing opportunities for women and their families by empowering them with the information they need to change their lives.

Featured Projects

	Community-Based Family Planning Program in Tanzania, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea: A major project to increase access to family planning and reproductive health services, as well as enhance the availability of clean water supplies at multiple sites in each country.

	Egypt: TAKAMOL: Partnering with community development associations, outreach workers, and religious leaders to renovate health centers, raise awareness of reproductive health issues, and promote cultural acceptance of family planning.

	Peru: Improving Health for Peruvians: Training health care providers in some of Peru’s most isolated towns and villages; engaging rural communities and schools to foster awareness of health care issues.

	Tanzania: HIV/AIDS Savings and Investment: Empowering families and communities affected by HIV/AIDS with the skills to invest and generate income, including techniques of microfinance.

Featured Publication

Improving Reproductive Health through Community-Based Services: 25 Years of Pathfinder International Experience, 2006 This report describes Pathfinder's efforts at the grassroots level to expand access and knowledge, stimulate acceptance, and create awareness and ownership of reproductive health and family planning programs.

More Publications: Community-Based Work

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Takamol Project Recognized by Egyptian Prime Minister: Prime Minister Admed Nazif impressed by recent Takamol improvements in the Upper Egypt city of Luxor.

A Little Bit of Magic: Community magic shows in Nepal entertain communities while providing important reproductive health messages.

A Story of Dedication: Community-based health agent dedicates life to helping eradicate poverty in hometown, providing reproductive health information and services to thousands.