One Health Organisation (OHO) is Australia's first Holistic Humanitarian Aid Agency. Run entirely by volunteers, OHO was formed in 2005 to bridge the gap between the community sector and the holistic healthcare industry by placing qualified healthcare volunteers in projects for the disadvantaged and vulnerable. Metagenics is proud to be the major sponsor of One Health Organisation, providing much needed funding, supplements and support.
Since 2005 OHO has provided those in need with naturopathic and nutritional advice and care, acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy, Feldankrais, kinesiology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, homoeopathy, birthing support and more.
"Dorge, a young Tibetan student, arrived in Sydney on a tourist visa. He had been imprisoned by the Chinese authorities but had managed to escape to India and eventually Australia. Dorge presented to the Asylum Seekers Centre, (a One Health Community Partner), homeless and in need of healthcare and support. Dorge's foot had been fractured whilst he was imprisoned and had never healed properly, he was sent to appointments with a Physiotherapist and community Podiatrist and orthotics were provided free of charge. He also received psychological and financial support, daily meals, as well as training in basic computer skills. Recently Dorge arrived back at the centre very relieved as he had received his protection visa." Dorge is just one of the many people that OHO has helped since its beginnings.
OHO began its first project with two acupuncturists and boxes of donated needles. Now, in addition to its own projects, OHO acts an umbrella organisation in collaborative partnerships for small community driven initiatives with a holistic focus. Working together to distribute medical supplies and supplements from sponsors, such as Metagenics, and business members by providing much needed legal infrastructure, micro-financing and strategic guidance.
Nutritional and dietary supplements and complementary medicines are all donated to One Health Organisation by sponsors such as Metagenics. Without these donations OHO would not be able to provide the high level of nutritional and medicinal support to organisations like the Salvation Army and Traditional Healthcare. In 2010 donations from Metagenics saw OHO distribute three quarters of a tonne of nutritional supplements to 43 community centres across Australia, via their community partner The Salvation Army and the Oasis Youth in Crisis Project. OHO sent more than 100 kg of herbal supplements to projects overseas, including the Indian Sustainable Healthcare Clinic project.
The Oasis Youth in Crisis project helps youth who are high-risk, disadvantaged and homeless living in 24-hour emergency crisis accommodation or medium-term supported accommodation in the inner city of Sydney. A client from the early days of the project recently got in contact with the community projects team looking for the Naturopath who helped her with her heroin addiction. She had made an astounding recovery and was now a youth worker herself: "I am not sure how my life finally changed for the better. I spent so many years struggling to keep my head above water. I was drowning and at times I seriously considered stopping the fight and letting the tide take me under. But I always had this flame inside me. A voice whispering never give up. My guardian angel was holding me, giving me hope. Now I don't feel like I am fighting. Something clicked and my life stopped being a painful effort. Now life is so good. There is so much to see, to achieve and to learn. Now when I wake up it is with a smile. The world holds so much beauty! What an awful waste it would have been to let myself drown. Thank you for helping me in my darker days."
One Health Organisation also works on an international level with partners such as Traditional Healthcare. Traditional Healthcare has begun the development of a sustainable healthcare facility in the state of Jharkhand at the small tribal village of Datam, India. The clinic provides holistic and integrative healthcare that includes local Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, homoeopathy and orthodox Western medicine. Inspiration for the clinic came from a visit to India by the founders of Traditional Healthcare in 2007. Hundreds of people were treated, many walking up to three days to see them, unfortunately many still missed out on much needed care; Datam was then chosen as the site for the first permanent clinic. Metagenics Andro NK and CardioX were sent to the clinic in September 2010 by OHO and distributed to those in need by the clinic volunteers.
Ultimately the work of OHO could not continue without the support of volunteers and the inspirational work they do throughout Australia and the world. The reward OHO volunteers feel from bringing a holistic and truly sustainable approach to healthcare to the community is invaluable.
"I have always believed in assisting and encouraging others to strengthen their health using natural methods, as mother nature is good to us and provides what we need. I feel it is necessary for the whole community to have access to health education so they have the tools to make an informed choice."
"For me to volunteer through One Health Organisation and Oasis was a simple choice. If I just help one kid who leaves Oasis with one new piece of information that they did not have before, I will be happy with that."
"The project opened my eyes and my heart. To witness so many moments where people lost fear and began to heal and regain power and hope reminded me why I began this work."
The first step to assisting OHO in its work is through joining as a general, student or professional member from as little as $10 a month (tax deductable). All members receive regular updates via the journal 'As One!', with professional members having the option to be notified first when local or international projects are recruiting volunteers. The OHO always recruits first from within its membership base, with external recruitment only taking place if existing members decline the opportunity to volunteer. For more information and to become a member visit the OHO website www.onehealthorganisation.org.
If you or your business is interested in supporting the OHO further there are several other avenues to get involved.
Business Membership: Allows businesses to show their clients and community they are taking an active role in the health of their local community. Join online today at www.onehealthorganisation.org.
Donations: Donations of any amount are welcome and tax deductible above $2.
