Global Link - Fall 2019

GLOBALLINK

Some of the 150 goats provided to communities in Malawi by the Canada and BermudaTerritory

GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING

The United Nations defines ‘sustainability’ as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” With the appropriate training and tools, livestock can help provide for a family for generations.

Livestock farming is integral to international development, impacting food security and livelihoods. Not only does it provide an excellent source of nutrition, but a sustainable source of income For families in need, selling dairy, meat, hide, hair and offspring is an invaluable income-generating activity

Lastyear, the Canada and Bermuda Territory, in partnership with The Salvation Army Malawi Territory, was able to purchase 150 goats and 24 pigs for five communities in Blantyre, Malawi The animals, along with veterinary vaccines and livestock management training, were gifted to families raising orphaned and vulnerable children.

By Kathy Nguyen

With a steady income, these families are now able to meet their needs—those caring for orphaned and vulnerable children can pay for essentials such as food, school fees and educational materials. Thirteen-year-old Suwema has re-enrolled in school now that her family can afford her school fees thanks to raising pigs. Over the years, as the livestock continue to breed and be sold, children such as Suwema will gain a quality education, the communities they live in will be strengthened and they’ll become selfsufficient, ending once and for all the cycle of poverty

Gifts of goats and pigs were made possible through donations to our Giftsof Hope program. With grateful hearts, we say thank you to our dedicated donors who continue to provide hope through farming.

Over the past few years, the

word ‘sustainable’ has grown in popularity. The word, traditionally used in business, has infiltrated the development world and changed the way we engage and navigate within the context of humanitarian aid.

‘Sustainability’ literally means the ‘ability to sustain or endure’ and is based on three principles or pillars: economic, environmental and social

The Salvation Army supports international development projects that are holistic in nature and promote sustainable outcomes. We do this by ensuring all projects are developed and designed within the local context and by the local people In addition, where appropriate, we support projects that span three to five years instead of small one-year projects. Andlastly, when opportunities arise, we fund complementary programs within the same community for greater impact.

In this issue of Global Link, you will read about projects that have longlasting impact on both individuals and communities and become aware of upcoming ‘United Nation’ days so that you can advocate amongst your friends and colleagues.

As you will see, we believe that sustainable development promotes a positive culture of change and helps to break the cycle of poverty

Sincerely,

Elisha’s Story FROM HARDSHIP TO HIGHER EDUCATION:

We were thrilled to receive this letter from Elisha,a former resident of The Salvation Army Tororo Children’s Home in Uganda. Once a vulnerable child unable to go to school, he is now a university graduate who will soon be able to support himself, his family and give back to his community in a meaningful way Elisha’s success story is one of many, including those still being written, thanks to your support of BrighterFutures Children’sSponsorship.

By Major Donna Barthau

My grandparents raised me after my father abandoned me as a child. It was very hard for them and they couldn’t afford to send me to school. The Salvation Army officer at Bumbo Corps in Uganda saw our need and that I had potential, so he spoke to my grandparents and recommended that I go to Tororo Children’s Home.

The good meals at the children’s home helped me grow and focus at school. The Salvation Army and children’s sponsors helped me get the school uniforms and supplies I needed and paid for my school fees. When I did very well in high school, they helped me continue my studies at university.

I recently received my degree in Business Administration and Management from Uganda Martyrs University. As I look for a job, I want to take this opportunity to share my deep gratitude to the sponsors who helped take care of our home, and who have helped me for so many years to get an education so I can help my family and community.

I have nothing tangible yet to repay the debt of gratitude I feel towards The Salvation Army and children’s sponsors, but when God answers my prayers to help me with a job I will stand with The Salvation Army in Uganda and give a hand to help others who are afflicted by poverty and are alone without hope.

LET’S CELEBRATE UN DAYS!

September8–InternationalLiteracyDay

By Ruth Hobbis

The goal of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4—Quality Education—is for all young people to achieve literacy and numeracy and to give adults lacking these skills the opportunity to acquire them. The benefits go beyond the classroom, positively impacting people’s opportunities, options and outcomes.

Are you passionate about literacy? On September 8, tweet us @SalvationArmy with hashtag #InternationalLiteracyDay to encourage others to donate to this important cause.

October16–WorldFoodDay

SDG #2—Zero Hunger—seeks to give all people access to the nutritious food they need to survive. The Salvation Army offers training and support in sustainable agricultural practices to help communities work toward food security

Why not hosta bake sale or potluck at your school or church to celebrate World Food Day? You can donate the proceeds to one of our five ‘Hope through Farming’ Gifts of Hope gift items.

November20–Universal Children’sDay

Universal Children’s Day advocates for, promotes, and celebrates children’s rights. Do children have a special place in your heart? Become a Brighter Futures children’s sponsor to provide orphaned and vulnerable children with shelter, nutritious food and a chance to go to school. Visit salvationarmy.ca/brighterfutures to learn more about becoming a sponsor.

CONGRATULATIONS!

By Ruth Hobbis

Congratulations to Alex Stoney – winner of the World Missions contest during The Salvation Army’s 2019 Congress and Commissioning weekend in Vancouver, BC.

We asked visitors to our booth to guess how many grains of rice were in a jar at our display. There were many guesses ranging from less than 2,000 to over 1 million. 77,250 was the correct number and Alex’s guess of 84,152 was the closest.

As a thank you, we have donated a pair of chickens in Alex’s name through our GiftsofHope ethical giving program. His gift will provide a family in need with a sustainable source of income, as well as nutritious eggs and meat.

Thank you to Alex and to everyone who visited our booth during the event in June!

To learn more about the GiftsofHope program, visit salvationarmy.ca/giftsofhope.