Central Seven
In keeping with Manfred Max-Neef’s ten basic needs, Village Corps has established seven focal areas it uses to profile the needs of a village. These “Central Seven” include: Education, Employment, Energy, Food & Water, Health Care, Infrastructure and Sanitation. Each of these areas is associated with at least one of the ten respective needs. For example, developments in “Education” encompass participation, subsistence, identity, creativity, understanding and freedom. When assessing the needs of a village, Village Corps looks to these seven areas to determine the basic needs of a village and to prioritize project action.
EDUCATION
By partnering with government, nonprofits and various businesses, Village Corps helps to ensure that every village has a solid school system, and that every child has equal opportunity to a primary and secondary education.
EMPLOYMENT
Village Corps strives to help the poor help themselves and recognizes that job creation is a key element to defeating poverty. By strictly adhering to this principle, we strive to have every new endeavor gainfully employ more individuals in meaningful work.
ENERGY
Everyone deserves access to electricity, cooking fuel and hot water. Village Corps works extensively with local and national energy suppliers to bring clean and renewable energy to villages.
FOOD & WATER
Food and water is a major focus for Village Corps. Individuals that are expected to pull themselves out of poverty must have access to clean and reliable drinking water as well as adequate and nutrient-rich foods.
HEALTH CARE
Many of the illnesses, viruses and diseases that strike the poor could be solved if villagers had access to health care facilities and common vaccinations. Village Corps works to address this issue by partnering with doctors and medical organizations to provide individuals with simple remedies to some of the most prevalent and preventable health issues around the globe.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure is a major aspect of the fight to eliminate property. People can only help themselves if they have the necessary tools to do so. By improving roads, and transportation and communication systems Village Corps ensures that basic public services are in place to support people in their everyday lives.
SANITATION
Many of the illnesses around the world
today are the result of poor sanitation
conditions. Solving these issues will help
improve the lives of all individuals, and
also has the potential to make current
deadly and prevalent diseases, such as
dysentery, cholera and typhoid,
controllable and possibly obsolete.