An Ethiopian woman inspects barley seeds she'll
plant. Helping women struggling to feed their families is a focus
of the Africa Initiative.
Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT-CWS |
Africa Initiative making a difference
Story by Ann Walle/CWS
Four years ago, Church World Service launched the wide-reaching Africa Initiative. Today its programs are being replicated throughout the continent.
Peacebuilding
In the West African nation of Guinea, the Christian Council of Guinea is pushing for a national dialogue to bring together representatives from the religious, political, business, labor, and civic communities to find a way forward from crushing poverty and government corruption. "We could not have got this far without CWS," shares Guinea's Anglican Bishop, Albert Gomez, a CWS Board member.
A continent-wide program of ecumenical leaders as peacemakers continues to be built to aid the cause of peace in various parts of the continent in the vital peace process.
Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons
Of the world's 13.9 million refugees, nearly nine million have spent five years or more "warehoused" in camps or segregated settlements, according to World Refugee Survey 2006. Church World Service is addressing these refugees' needs through its Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons program. DSDP's vision is to help warehoused refugees move beyond mere subsistence. For example, DSDP is focusing on post-primary education and vocational training for Burundian and other refugees in Tanzania.
Hunger and poverty alleviation
CWS has partnered with the Rwanda Union
of Agriculturalists & Animal Breeders to support women-led households
in improving income levels through animal husbandry and agriculture. So
far, 420 single mothers and their children have become better off materially
and spiritually, as they are able to provide for their families and earn
a respected and valued place in their communities.
Water for Life/Water for All
"Water is more important than oil in Africa. Water takes up a large part of the daily life of the people, whether it's walking four miles to the source of water in rural areas or 600 people lining up to get water at a tap in an urban center. Obviously if there's not enough, it will result in conflict," says Dr. Caroline Njuki, of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, and a member of CWS's Africa Forum.
In addition to the Water for All Network throughout Kenya, CWS has introduced a multiple solutions model for representatives of other partner organizations from Malawi, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. Recently, "Weapons for Water" was launched in Mozambique -- a community effort to make water accessible, and get weapons out of circulation by exchanging them for tools.
HIV and AIDS
The "Giving Hope" program is helping faith-based organizations in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique transform their programs of compassion for children into strategies that empower orphans and other vulnerable children to speak for themselves, plan for their future, and care for themselves and their siblings.
Says CWS program officer Lilian Odundo, "These youth are the caregivers, the breadwinners of their families. This is a real specialty that CWS has developed over these few years. Giving Hope gives kids the chance to learn and be supported by a group of kids going through the same situation." Some 8,500 youth-caregiver households are currently participating. This represents more than 25,000 young people who are learning to work together to provide for their young families.
You and your congregation can support the Africa Initiative. To find out how, visit the Africa Initiative webpage or call 888-CWS-CROP.