Barangay Health Volunteers, Philippines

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The Barangay Health Volunteers of the Philippines are trained health workers who live in the communities they serve. The volunteers act as change agents in the communities. They are part of a movement to increase the connections communities have with the "flat world" described by Friedman.

Volunteers provide information, education and motivation services for primary health care, maternal and child health, child rights, family planning and nutrition. They also administer immunization and regular weighing of children.

In the beginning, 1970's, there was one Volunteer for every 20 families. The scarcity of trained individuals has since narrowed down the number of volunteers, especially in the remote barangays. Now, there are areas where only one or two volunteers service an entire barangay.