Overseas Development

Malaria remains one of the major causes of death in the Democratic Republic of Congo, yet simple solutions exist. Sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net, for example, can literally save lives.

Anglican Aid is working with the Diocese of Aru in two DRC catchment areas, Rumu and Ekanga, to fight malaria and reduce the number of malaria-related deaths.

This project targets those most vulnerable to malaria, children under five years old and pregnant women, though benefits also impact the broader community. Activities include eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, distributing mosquito nets, treating malaria cases and conducting malaria awareness campaigns using school trips, film nights and drama groups.

At one health centre, a mother said that she had not installed the government-issued mosquito net she received last year because no-one had explained how! She was delighted when a nurse and a village health worker from the project spent time explaining how to install the mosquito nets, and even visited her house to check that the mosquito nets were being used correctly.

This project is achieving significant results. In the period from October – December 2011, our partners were excited to report that there had been no malaria-related deaths in the two regional healthcare centres in which they have been working. In addition, only two out of fourteen pregnant mothers treated for malaria were from within the region – a sign of the effectiveness of community awareness campaigns.
 

Anglican Aid, in partnership with the Diocese of Aru, is helping communities in the DRC to understand the importance of dental care, particularly for their children. In the past, there was little knowledge about effective personal dental care. The typical solution to any dental problem was to extract the tooth!

The project conducts dental education and consultations in 42 primary schools in the area. Children with dental problems receive free treatment. Meetings are held with teachers and parents to maximise the effects of dental education in the broader community.

Imagine being a primary school aged child and yet not knowing how to care for your teeth. Imagine the relief in your first lesson when you’re told about a tree which has branches perfect for scrubbing teeth clean and about toothpaste which fights nasty mouth bacteria. The relief, however, is tinged with embarrassment. Beside you, your friend begins to snigger. Only recently, he had told you that the correct way to clean your teeth was by rubbing sand in your mouth. As a result, your gums are sore and bleeding. His laughter grows louder and is joined by taunts that can be heard by the whole class.

This was the experience of one young boy whose primary school participated in the Promotion of Good Dental Healthcare Project. Fortunately, the other students came to his defence. Eventually, his friend apologised for the trick and promised not to give anyone wrong advice anymore.
 

According to World Health Organisation estimates, two thirds of the 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS are situated in Sub-Saharan African countries. HIV/AIDS is a significant issue in the DRC, especially due to widespread misconceptions about how it is contracted. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that most young people do not receive any sexual education either from school or their parents.

Anglican Aid and the Province of the Anglican Church of Congo are partnering to educate young people in the DRC about HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

The project aims to break the silence around sex by promoting and implementing sexual education in schools and informing youth about the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

Activities are taking place in 65 schools. Young people are engaged through debates, bulletins, radio programs, counselling, and creative mediums such as art and drama. As a result of petitioning school authorities, sexual education has been strengthened and emphasized as one of the subjects in the curriculum.

The project also aims to reduce the fear and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Jeanne, a 14 year old student from Kahindo said that the work of the STAYS team gave her the courage to get tested for HIV: ‘I was scared because I’d been taking care of my father who died from AIDS.’ Since Jeanne received her test results, indicating she is HIV negative, she’s been encouraging her friends to ‘get out of their ignorance’ and do the same.
 

Anglican Aid, in partnership with Refuge Egypt (RE), supports refugees and asylum seekers taking refuge in Egypt due to war or disaster in their country of origin. In June 2010, there were approximately 41, 000 registered refugees in Egypt, with many more lacking the official refugee status granted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Egyptian Revolution, in January 2011, has increased the vulnerability of refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt, with xenophobia and nationalism on the rise and the widespread perception that refugees ‘steal’ jobs from Egyptian nationals. As one refugee and RE staff-member said, ‘Since the 25 January Revolution people think they can do whatever they want. They can take your bag, cut your bag and we have all our documents in there. Then you have to go back to the UNHCR and get other papers.’

The majority of refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt are Sudanese, with other nationalities including Iraqis, Somalis, Eritreans and Ethiopians. The Health and Nutrition Project, based in Cairo, supports newcomer refugees and asylum seekers throughout their first two years in Egypt which are generally a difficult period of adjustment. The project provides health care and education, distributes food and clothing and fosters self-reliance through local skills and income-generating activities. The aim is to help people prepare for either integration into Egyptian society, resettlement, or return to their home countries once possible.

The creation of the country of South Sudan on 9th July, 2011 opens the possibility that many of Egypt’s Sudanese refugee population will be able to return home. Significant obstacles remain including ongoing conflict between North and South Sudan, poor infrastructure and a lack of basic education and healthcare services. RE reports that many Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers remain circumspect about the prospect of returning home.

In fact, as the story of a young woman recently assisted by RE shows, the influx of Sudanese refugees to Egypt continues. The woman’s mother was originally from Southern Sudan and, following the creation of the new Sudanese state, the whole family sought to migrate back to Southern Sudan. Due to the young woman’s North Sudanese paternity, however, authorities refused to allow her to cross the border into South Sudan. Knowing the dangers they would face if they remained in Northern Sudan, the family decided to flee and make their way to Cairo. Upon arrival, they approached RE for assistance, having fled with few possessions. RE was able to provide food bags and clothing which greatly encouraged the family.
 

Approximately 46 per cent of Ethiopia’s 86 million people are aged fourteen or below. At least 150, 000 of these children live on the street. It is estimated that a further 1 million are vulnerable or at risk of ending up on the street.

Why are there so many street kids in Ethiopia? There are numerous reasons including poverty, family strife, abuse, being orphaned (often as a result of HIV/AIDS), war and famine. Regardless of how they end up living and sleeping on the street, life there is tough. Street kids are considered barely human, subject to frequent abuse and left with no choice but to scavenge through rubbish for food.

Anglican Aid is partnering with Retrak to enable street children from Addis Ababa to return to a caring and stable family environment, either with their own family, a foster family or by living independently in the community. The project’s foster care model, a relatively new concept in Africa, provides a locally delivered alternative to institutionalisation for street children.

Retrak staff work extensively with children who want to leave street life, preparing both the child and family (or foster family) for the return home. Children and families are given the skills, education and emotional support needed for sustainable integration. Where necessary, Retrak staff ease the economic effects of the new situation by helping the family develop income generating activities.

Through this project, foster care is becoming a recognised and preferred alternative to poorly resourced government orphanages. At 7am one morning in November, 12 community group leaders and 2 Retrak staff piled into a minibus to visit a new foster care program launched by Bethany Christian Services. Foster care is such a new idea in Ethiopia that the community leaders were not sure what to expect. After visiting the program, most came away saying, ‘Wow! This could really work in our area!’ and, ‘Now we understand the importance of placing an abandoned child in a family – so much better than an orphanage!’ Raising awareness about foster care, through visits like this one, is vital to ensuring that vulnerable street kids will, one day soon, find a home with a loving family.

Photo: Robin Hammond

Anglican Aid and the Herbertpur Christian Hospital are working in North West India to assist children with physical and mental disabilities and to promote acceptance of disabilities in their families, communities and broader society.

People with disabilities in India are often ‘invisible’ and are neglected by society. In the mountainous Northern states, access to services is poor, particularly for those with disabilities.

This project is working to provide community-based rehabilitation programs that are accessible to all and utilize local resources. It aims to develop the strengths of children with disbailities, and to empower them and their families to lead healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. Early intervention centres have been established within a number of communities, and multiple support groups have been formed for parents of children with a disabilities. Through awareness and education campaigns, communities are becoming more receptive to the unique value children with disabilities bring to community life.

Children like Saaniya are being assisted through the project. Saaniya was born without a right arm and, due to her disability, was neglected by her family. When Anugrah volunteers first began to work with Saaniya in her home, she refused to interact with them, crying and banging her head on the floor whenever she saw them. Eventually, she began to attend her local learning centre. The staff gradually won over her affections and helped her to build the capacity in her feet, compensating for her absent hand. Currently, Saaniya is being prepared for integration into a regular school.

Anugrah is not merely impacting individual children and families but also underlying attitudes toward disabilities in India. Anugrah staff hope that the Department of Education’s recent order for twenty-seven postural chairs and five standing frames from Anugrah’s carpentry unit is evidence of a greater acceptance of disabilities in society and ‘the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’
 

With Anglican Aid, the Indian Gospel League is working to bring sustainable development through education and training in 21 villages in Southern India.

Around 40 per cent of the people in these villages live below the poverty line. Over half the population is illiterate and many of the children, particularly girls, do not have the opportunity to go to school.
The project provides quality education to children through after-school tutoring programs and vocational training for youth through community colleges. Women are taught income generating skills and participate in savings groups to improve their economic status.

This project is helping to overcome gender inequalities and cycles of poverty in Southern India. Mrs. Bhuvaneshwari is a mother of two from Muyal Nagar village. Like many rural Indian women, she finished school in year 10 and did not complete any tertiary education due to an early marriage. In 2011, Mrs. Bhuvaneshwari was delighted to be able to join the project’s computer training program and learn a new skill to contribute to her family’s income. She plans to work in a local stationary shop.
 

The Widhya Asih foundation, linked to the development arm of the Protestant Church of Bali, is responsible for seven orphanages scattered throughout the island. These orphanages care for over 400 orphans and vulnerable children from some of Bali’s poorest and most remote areas. The children are from all social and religious backgrounds, and come to Widhya Asih for a variety of reasons including the death of family members, abandonment, abuse and poverty.

Each orphanage is a loving and safe environment that provides nourishing food, a hygienic living space, quality healthcare, access to formal education and training in life skills and Christian values.

Education is crucial to the vision of Widhya Asih. Children are enrolled in local public schools from grades 1-12. The staff of Widhya Asih believe that education is the best way to ‘help people help themselves to break out of the cycle of poverty’ and to have a happy and fulfilling life.

Currently, Widhya Asih is heavily reliant on overseas donations to cover general running costs. Eighty per cent of their budget comes from overseas donations and twenty percent from the local Protestant church. However, as Nenga Swikrama, Widhya Asih’s director, says, ‘We have a big dream to be sustainable, so in the future we can help ourselves.’

Anglican Aid is partnering with Widhya Asih so that this dream can become a reality. By funding infrastructure development, educational resources, staff training and the establishment of income-generating activities, Anglican Aid will help Widhya Asih make significant progress towards self-sustainability.

Many of the activities that will enable Widhya Asih to be self-supporting are also taught to the children, giving them life and employment skills to help them in the future. Vegetable cultivation, animal husbandry, catfish breeding, music and dance lessons and garment construction are some of the extracurricular activities of a Projek Bali Kid!
 

In 2005, Anglican Aid partnered with the Diocese of Mt Kenya West to facilitate the creation of Tumaini Majengo Clinic in the Majengo Slum. Anglican Aid now supports the clinic’s work with people infected by HIV/AIDS, one of the most serious health and social problems facing the 20,000 people living in the Majengo Slum community.

The project aims to empower the Majengo community to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and to assist those infected and affected by the disease. The project trains community volunteers to provide home-based care and counselling for people living with HIV/AIDS. Support groups and family ‘memory books’ are used to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease and to encourage community members to disclose their HIV status to their families. The project also targets orphans and vulnerable children to improve their access to healthcare, food, education and vocational training.

Since her father died, Dorcas, age 18, has lived in Majengo slum with her mother and eight siblings. Dorcas’ mother is HIV positive and has no stable income, making it difficult for her to provide for the family. With only a primary education, Dorcas had few skills with which to supplement her family’s income. For this reason, she was recommended by the Clinic team for vocational training. Dorcas chose to complete a six month dressmaking course and now works alongside her trainer, selling the clothes she makes. Through the project’s vocational training scheme, Dorcas is now able to support herself, her mother and her siblings.
 

Around two thirds of the population of Nairobi live in informal settlements. In this environment, women and young people are particularly vulnerable to economic challenges including inadequate skills, underemployment and unemployment.

In partnership with the Centre for Urban Mission, Anglican Aid is working to reduce the economic vulnerability of marginalised women and young people Nairobi’s informal settlements.

Women are equipped with business skills training and encouraged to establish savings groups, which operate according to a savings-led microfinance model. These groups effectively enable women to increase their access to finance through internal group loans and matching grants from partner churches. A youth apprenticeship strategy helps 70 young people per year to acquire the skills necessary to move into either self or wage employment.

Since 2010, Pastor Maina from Calvary Worship Centre in Eastern Nairobi has used the project’s apprenticeship training scheme to expand the church’s outreach into Korogocho slums. Each year Pastor Maina has identified ten youth from the slum who have been out of school for a long time without employment. Through the project, they were trained in courses such as hair-dressing, mechanics and electronics – all graduated.
 

With somewhere between 60, 000 and 600,000 street children working as prostitutes, UNICEF estimates that the Philippines is home to the fourth largest child prostitute population in the world. In fact, a study by the University of the Philippines indicates that prostitution is the country’s fourth largest source of Gross National Product (GNP).

Many women are deceived, trafficked and caught in the web of prostitution due to multiple factors such as poverty, poor educational attainment, lack of employment opportunities, and previous experiences of abuse. Prostitutes are often marginalised by society, isolated from family and friends, face health problems and experience physical and psychological abuse.

Anglican Aid, with Samaritana Transformation Ministries, is helping to transform the lives of female survivors of prostitution in Quezon City.

The project aims to help women leave prostitution and provides them with training and support to improve their quality of life. Women receive counselling, legal advice, business skills training, leadership development, literacy classes and even physical fitness classes. The project also works with the families of the women and the broader community to overcome the stigma surrounding the women’s background.

Aileen, now 24, entered prostitution when she was 17 years old. At the time, her mother worked as a fish vendor. As sole provider for the family, she did not earn enough to support Aileen and her four younger siblings. As a prostitute, Aileen received between AU$1.20 and AU$4.40 per customer. Sometimes she was paid in food. In 2011, Aileen’s friend told her about Samaritana. Aileen was able to join the Women’s Transformation program where she enjoys the sense of community, the friends she’s gained and her new relationship with God. She continues to gain business skills in arts and craft and, according to Samaritana staff, continually encourages and gives advice to other women trainees.
 

In 2006, Mohammed Yunus and the Grameen Bank received a Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution to the field of microfinance. Microfinance is the provision of small, low-cost financial services – such as loans, savings, insurance and money transfers – to poor people, who are generally unable to access such services. According to Global Education, ‘Microfinance can enable poor households, particularly women, to invest in small businesses, better nutrition, improved living conditions and the health and education of their children and so climb out of the cycle of poverty.’

In partnership with ACROSS, Anglican Aid is improving individual and family well being in Southern Sudan through the educational and material benefits that come from participation in microfinance projects.

Years of civil war have wrought devastation on Southern Sudan. Human suffering, loss of property and life, destruction of infrastructure and loss of commercial enterprises have occurred on a massive scale. Many South Sudanese have not had the benefit of schooling and most do not have the skills or opportunities to access the credit necessary to establish businesses and take advantage of new opportunities.

Through this project, Sudanese in the three counties of Greater Yei receive training in basic business skills, literacy and agricultural skills. They form groups and save their money. Group members are able to borrow funds to start their own businesses or to pay for other costs such as medicines and school fees.

Jorome has been a farmer all his life but, until recently, lamented that, “I never got any value for my efforts.” When he heard about the achievements of the nearby Dudulabe women’s group, he did not hesitate to join. After receiving training and assistance from an ACROSS staff member, Mawa Joseph, Jorome changed his farming methods and says, “I can now get money from whatever I grow and have enough food at home.” This turnaround has enabled Jorome to pay boarding school fees for his three children in Uganda, helping to break cycles of poverty in the next generation. Jorome says, “I am not the same person. My life has changed through the microfinance programme.”
 

Anglican Aid and the Diocese of Kagera are working together to enable communities in the Karagwe district of Tanzania to provide services for people living with disabilities.

People living with disabilities, particularly in rural areas like Karagwe, have limited access to healthcare and education services. A general lack of knowledge and understanding about disabilities means that people living with disabilities are often stigmatised and isolated in their communities.

The Karagwe Community Based Rehabilitation Project (KCBRP) is working with communities both to prevent disability and to provide treatment for people living with disabilities. People living with disabilities are equipped with knowledge and skills to advance their wellbeing and enable them to be self-supporting. Advocacy with and on behalf of people living with disabilities is an integral part of the project, along with networking with local Government Departments and related non-government organisations.

This project is making a difference in the lives of children like Lewina. Lewina was born in 1999. By the time she was a year old, her parents began to wonder if something was wrong – she was unable to sit, crawl, stand or speak. The older she got, the more she lagged behind children her age. Lewina’s parents took her to various hospitals seeking assistance but without success. They even visited a traditional healer but the problem continued to get worse. Finally, in 2005, KCBRP staff identified that Lewina was suffering from Cerebral Palsy. They counselled her parents, taught them simple exercises for Lewina to do and heped improve her mobility using a standing frame and wheelchair. When Lewina reached school-age her parents decided not to send her to classes, fearing that she would not be able to manage. KCBRP advised Lewina’s parents to allow her to attend school. Eventually, they agreed. Lewina is now in grade six, enjoying school and doing well in her exams.
 

Anglican Aid, in partnership with the Diocese of Lweru, is working to improve the educational opportunities for children in remote parts of Tanzania.

Limited education levels and poor qualifications of teachers have led to low standards of teaching throughout much of Tanzania. The Anglican Aid funded Primary School Improvement Project (2005 to 2008) saw a considerable increase in the number of students qualifying for secondary school. The Katoke-Lweru Secondary school has recently been built in North West Tanzania to provide more accessible secondary education for these students.

This project has equipped Katoke-Lweru Secondary School with twenty-one computers as well as providing staff and student training in the basics of computing and word processing. It is hoped that steady advances in Tanzania’s internet technology will benefit the Karagwe district and soon provide the school with a reliable internet connection. This facility will not only increase the future employment opportunities for students and teachers at Katoke-Lweru but also promises to link the community with others in Tanzania and across the world.

For now, computer classes are an exciting part of the school week for students like Aliziki. While she is an average achiever in other school subjects, Aliziki has demonstrated great competence in computer classes and is quick to learn new skills. Usually she is shy and quiet but being in the computer lab gives her confidence. Aliziki was excited to achieve 99% in her last practical computer exam.
 

Anglican Aid, in partnership with Toro Integrated Childcare (TIC), is providing vocational skills training and microfinance services to youth and adults in Western Ugandan communities.

Many people in these communities have low household incomes, poor nutrition and sanitation, and limited access to services such as education and health care. The project is helping to increase household income and improve the overall standard of living through business skills training and microfinance.

The project uses local people, local resources and existing infrastructure to provide vocational training. Areas of training include food processing, animal husbandry, tailoring, carpentry, organic farming, metal fabrication and nursery education. Microfinance services enable individuals to draw low-interest loans to begin their own income generating activities. By providing both skills training and microfinance, program participants are thoroughly equipped earn an income and become self-reliant.

Ruguya is the Kiziba Self Help Group Coordinator. He says that people in his community were inspired by TIC’s slogan ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ and, with their help, formed a number of self help groups. He says, “Members decided on the amount of money each member should contribute at every sitting after which it is loaned out to members.” He expressed the community’s gratitude to TIC, “Most of the groups who listened to the advice are now well off and can make their ends meet.”