Editorial: treating the poorest of the poor

Many of us homeopaths tend to work in the relative comfort and security of our office or hospital, being confronted, at most, with difficult cases, slander or incomprehension, which, of course, are not negligible circumstances. There is, however, an increasing number of us who chose to leave their comfort zone and follow the urgings of their heart and conscience, to bring their homeopathic skills to those who could otherwise neither reach them nor afford them, in developing countries. Two years ago, Harry van der Zee and Corrie Hiwat organised a world-wide conference in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, highlighting homeopathic projects from around the world, where homeopathy is being practiced under less than optimal circumstances. For the coming two issues of Interhomeopathy, we have invited some homeopaths who have taken their work abroad to share their experiences. To this end, we are showing a broad spectrum of practice, from the extremely experienced to the beginner homeopath, so that one can see what can be done with the fruits of many years of practice but also with a good grasp of the basics and pure dogged determination. For if there is one thing that these homeopaths have in common, it is a conviction in the workings of accurately prescribed remedies and a burning desire to be of service, often at the expense of their own personal comfort or financial situation.

Jeremy Sherr, one of our best-known and experienced homeopaths and teachers, and his wife Camilla, also a highly skilled practitioner, have taken up the challenge and followed Jeremy’s dream of treating AIDS in Africa. They and their three young children left England two years ago to live in Tanzania, setting up many clinics to work with people suffering from HIV/AIDS and all that surrounds it: hunger, sexual abuse, stigma, shame, lack of education, widows and orphans. They face difficulties at every step of the way – financial difficulties, opposition from all sides, corruption, theft, you name it. In other words, this is not for the faint-hearted! Their hard work, however, is paying off. They offer us many cases from their broad range of practice, showing that yes, it is possible to treat HIV/AIDS successfully and to bring realistic hope of healing to those suffering from conditions that we scarcely see in well-off countries. Jeremy’s moving “Letter from Africa” explains the background of the project and answers our many questions.  More can be read about their work in the next issue of Spectrum of Homeopathy, in the Panorama’s rubric.

Felicity Nutting, from Australia, has been asked to treat the poorest of the poor in the outback of the Philippines and is being sponsored by one of her ex-patient, who saw the possibilities for homeopathy in a country he loves. From time to time, she leaves her practice in Brisbane to go and work in the “bush”. Her account, which is illustrated by photos, shows how severe illnesses can be treated successfully under even the most unlikely circumstances. Here again, sheer determination and an unshakable confidence in well-prescribed homeopathy are the backbone of her work. It would seem that in many third world countries the effects of homeopathy are sometimes faster than in western countries, for reasons that are not entirely clear.

It is not our habit to promote projects but we thought to make an exception for Jeremy and Camilla’s Homeopathy for Health in Africa, for it would be a real pity to see such an amazing project, which not only addresses the immediate needs of those affected but also contributes to the development and recognition of homeopathy, collapse from lack of funding. We have, therefore, opened the possibility for those who would like to give support to do so. Should you care to contribute resources, time or money, you can do so directly on their site: www.homeopathyforhealthinafrica.org As Jeremy often mentions: “every penny here goes a long way.” As an example: $40/€27 feed 30 kids in their day care centre for a week. 

We hope you will be inspired by this issue.