Public Health International recognizes that it is not enough to develop a humanitarian program if steps are not taken to insure its long-term sustainability.
PHI accomplishes sustainability by developing village micro industries with a percentage of all profits going to support the continued operation of its humanitarian public health programs.
The village micro industries come in many forms. Examples are tanker truck potable water delivery businesses, latrine pumping business, chicken farms, ethnic artisan businesses and the development and sale of alternative fuel sources.
These micro businesses both sustain the public health projects and strengthen the local village economy.
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A Micro industry chicken farm was established by PHI volunteers Chris and Wendy Soethe in the village of Las Lomas, Ecuador, in 2001. Run by a cooperative of eight families in the village, this farm produces both income and better nutrition for the villagers.
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Whenever possible PHI develops micro industries which increase the efficiency of its public health programs, such as this chlorine generator business in Pucallpa, Peru.
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PHI assists in the development of ethnic artisan businesses such as the production of miniature figurines from the Tagua nut (also known as vegetable ivory), which are sold to tourists to produce funds to support a village cooperative and its public health programs. Sitio Nuevo, Ecuador.
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