First African Homeopathy Congress in Kenya

First Pan-African Homeopathy Congress in Kenya by Elisabeth von Wedel, MSc.Hom, Chairwoman of Homeopaths Without Borders e.V. (HOG)

29/08/2012

Around 70 homeopathic doctors and therapists from around the world gathered in Kenya this May for the first Pan-African Homeopathy Congress. Jeremy Sherr, England, and Marie Maigré, the Netherlands, had invited. Both of them have been active as committed homeopaths on the African continent for several years: Marie Maigré has been running a classical homeopathy college in Kwale near Mombasa, Kenya for about 5 years. Around 60 students learn homeopathy and basic medical training in 3500 hours of class time. As host, she made the campus of the school available for the congress. Jeremy Sherr, internationally renowned for his seminars and drug trials, moved to Tanzania a few years ago, where he has been involved in a humanitarian project since 2000.

The stated goal and vision of the organizers of the congress is to gather together all the initiators of homeopathic projects in Africa, to exchange experiences and to establish a network. Thematically, a wide range was covered. It was fascinating to see how many committed homoeopaths, courageous, courageous and equipped with a lot of pioneering spirit in the different countries of Africa, do meaningful work in very different ways and thereby make the most varied experiences. Common to all is the vision to spread the knowledge of homeopathy in African countries. Homeopathy may be able to bridge the gap between traditional healing methods and conventional medicine, much as it did in India. The congress discussed how to maintain a reasonably consistent and high quality standard of education, given the different types of teaching and their challenges.

While academic education can be realized in cities, rural areas need a very different approach. The midwife Rehema Bakari, who described impressive cases from her practice, received great applause. As an illiterate student at HOG, she has received special training using symbol cards, which has enabled her to do some things, including: to nourish postnatal bleeding homeopathically and thus save lives. Dr. Julius Berdy from Ghana described the development of homeopathy in his country. Homeopathy is now a legally recognized healing method, a success of the HOG Netherlands and dedicated local doctors. The political strategy was generally of great interest. In the face of corruption or inadequately functioning administrations, the political work represents a major challenge for all projects. In addition to the exchange of experience on political work and drug registration, the practical aspects of everyday homeopathic life in Africa rounded out the variety of topics. Controversial issues were discussed here, such as the unreliable HIV / AIDS diagnosis in many African countries or the meaning or nonsense of a homeopathic malaria treatment. A first unpublished cohort study on homeopathic complementary treatment in HIV / AIDS was presented by Barbara Braun and her team from Swaziland. These and other points offered
sufficient reason for controversial, yet fruitful discussion among colleagues.

All in all, this congress was a great success, an inspirational and highly encouraging event this spring. As Jeremy Sherr aptly put it in his summary: „Africa is ready for homeopathy and we are ready for Africa.“ More detailed information and some congress contributions can also be found as a video on the website of Homeopaths Without Borders e.V. "www.homöopathenohnegrenzen.de". (Pm)