Health in Harmony

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, located in Southeast Asia, and its rainforests that were once lush and teeming with life have seen half their expanse disappear since the 1930s. Much of the destruction comes from industrial-scale operations, but big corporations are not the only ones to blame; many of those cutting down trees are small-scale farmers trying to make ends meet in a world where healthcare and basic necessities are just out of reach.

In response to the crisis, a non-profit organization called Health in Harmony (HIH) has stepped in to help: They are encouraging local farmers to trade in their chainsaws for financial assistance and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. This program -- which began in 2017 under the group’s Indonesian name Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) -- offers farmers $200 for their chainsaw and up to $450 to help them start new ventures like organic farming, beekeeping, or a small store.

But HIH's mission goes beyond just reducing deforestation. A significant driver behind logging is the desperate need for money to cover healthcare costs, and in many remote areas of Borneo, healthcare is either inaccessible or unaffordable, forcing families to turn to illegal logging as a quick source of cash. Mahardika “Dika” Putra, the conservation program manager at HIH, says that logging often becomes the only option for those in urgent need of funds, leading to the loss of more trees.

Recognizing this, HIH has made healthcare a cornerstone of its strategy. They work closely with communities near Gunung Palung National Park, where logging is illegal but prevalent due to economic necessity. In 2007, the organization opened a medical center near the park, dramatically improving access to healthcare in the area. The results have been remarkable: a 67% drop in infant mortality and a 70% reduction in deforestation over the following decade. HIH has found that when people no longer need to rely on logging to pay for healthcare, they are more willing to protect the forests.

The program also allows patients to pay for healthcare services with goods like seedlings, manure, or rice husks, which are then used in reforestation and sustainable farming initiatives. Villages that demonstrate a reduction in illegal logging are also eligible for discounts on medical services, creating a powerful incentive to preserve the environment.

HIH reports that since the launch of the buyback program, household logging has decreased by 90%: 279 loggers have handed in their chainsaws, protecting an estimated 107,000 trees, including 15,000 old-growth trees. Yet the lure of palm oil, which promises high earnings, still tempts many. Without proper training, farmers who switch to palm oil can find themselves with ruined fields and no income, as palm oil cultivation can deplete water resources, require expensive chemical fertilizers, and demand years to sustain.

HIH runs educational programs promoting sustainable farming practices that provide food security and consistent yields, helping farmers avoid the long wait and potential pitfalls of palm oil cultivation. HIH's work has garnered international recognition and awards in recent years.

Jacquelyn Francis, HIH’s founder and executive director, says that their work goes beyond just saving rainforests; it's about creating harmony between people and nature: "Their name [Health in Harmony] says it all," she says. "There is more climate health when it is in harmony with natural systems."

Dr. Skylar Hopkins, an ecology and conservation expert from North Carolina State University, believes that HIH's success lies in its deep engagement with local communities, ensuring that conservation efforts align with the needs of the people who live in and around the forests: “We’re not deciding for them. We’re changing the way you can support these communities. It means that we recognize their voices and help with what is most needed.” By addressing the root causes of deforestation, HIH is helping to create a future where both the people of Borneo and their rainforests can thrive together -- one chainsaw at a time.

Let Job 12 be a reminder of the Lord's hand over all, including the rainforests of Borneo:

7 But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9 Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10 In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.

May we all encourage health in harmony as we move through our days!