Gifts of Hope ethical-giving program provides agriculture training in the rural communities of Malawi.
Since its establishment in 1865, The Salvation Army has continuously responded to human need in practical, holistic and transformative ways. The international development department in the Canada and Bermuda Territory implements projects that are long-lasting and sustainable in nature, which is why many of our programs are rooted in education and community mobilization.
With support from our Gifts of Hope ethical-giving program, The Salvation Army in Canada funded an integrated project combining literacy classes with conservation agriculture trainings in the rural communities of Funwe and Matapang’ombe, Malawi
Of all regions, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highestrates of illiteracy, with rural areas mostoften being deprived of quality education.
By Kathy Nguyen
“Many people in these communities lack formal education,” says Ibrahim Thawani, project manager for The Salvation Army in the Malawi Territory. “Addressing illiteracy is a high need for alleviating food insecurity.”
With six literacy committees trained in adult literacy management, more than 170 farmers received classes in basic literacy and numeracy skills.
By teaching farmers how to read and write, they can read training manuals independently; are better equipped to handle loans and savings; have better control on their marketing and business efforts; are afforded the opportunity to diversify their ventures; and mostimportantly, are able to learn beyond the classroom.
CHANGING LIVES IN SOUTH AMERICA WEST Around the World
TThe Salvation Army is blessed with knowledgeable and dedicated personnel who are committed to providing hope and support for vulnerable people and communities around the world. These project officers and personnel are instrumental in facilitating meaningful partnerships across the globe,as well as implementing projects that have a lasting impact on the future of our world.
In our “Hope Around the World” series, we will connect with international Salvation Army project officers to learn more about their work, hear some of their fondest memories, and see how your support has impacted them and the communities they serve.
By Robyn Goodyear
he Salvation Army South America West Territory’s reach stretches across Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. During her 18 years as project officer in South America West, Noelia Pintos has witnessed life-changing ways the Army has gone above and beyond to bring hope to those in need
In Bolivia, families would often resort to cutting down the already-limited trees in their communities to use as firewood for cooking. Through a project supported by The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, families in three communities received solar cookers and training on how to use them. These gifts reduced the negative environmental impacts of logging and allowed beneficiaries to spend more time at home
Noelia recalls a mother’s excitement at baking a cake for her child’s birthday for the first time. “It seems so simple to us,” shesays, “but it was life-changing for them.”
Like the rest of the world, South America has been rocked by the effects of the pandemic, but The Salvation Army in South America West remains dedicated to supporting the mostvulnerable.
“We are committed to the community,” Noelia says. “Andwe are ready to serve ”
THE MARVELS OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE
By Kathy Nguyen
T“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6 NIV
he Salvation Army’s Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program seeks to nourish,build and uplift vulnerable children in more than 20 countries. Our sponsors provide the funding to keep children’s homes stocked with food and furniture; schools stocked with supplies and textbooks, and students with uniforms on their backs and their school fees paid for.
Andwhile sponsorship pays for the immediate needs of the children, we also focus our efforts on building their faith, fuelling their imaginations, and helping them gain cognitive, emotional and social life skills.
Ten-year-old Marvel has been living at the Depansar Boys’ Home in Bali, Indonesia, since he was six years old This home provides him with essential living necessities, such as housing, food, school and clothing. Beyond that, he’s provided with entrepreneurship courses, including Englishclasses, tie-dyeing, digital art, sewing and gardening.
“We do many activities here, but my favourite is the tie-dye course,” Marvel says. “I can be as creative as I want, and I create colour patterns according to my heart.”
When Marvel grows up, he wants to become a pilot. Through strong support from his sponsors, his friendsat the home and his faith in God, he is confident he’ll realize this dream.
“This home teaches us how to be closer to God, so that we can achieve our goals,” he says. “I want to thank my sponsors in Canada. Every day, we pray for you, and we hope that one day, you can visit us in Bali.”
To find out how you can become a Brighter Futures children’s sponsor, visit: Salvationist.ca/brighterfutures
LEARNING BEYOND BORDERS
Every year, The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda financially supports several emergency relief projects around the world, including in Liberia, a country in the Liberia and Sierra Leone Command that is especially prone to fire and storm-related disasters. We recognize that funding these projects isn’t enough; one of the key fundamentals in successful and sustainable development work is partnership that includes sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as resources.
The Canada and Bermuda Territory’s emergency disaster services typically offers in-person training and development for employees and volunteers across Canada and Bermuda. With a shift to online learning during the pandemic, there have been new opportunities to expand training beyond geographical limitations.
As part of a pilot program to provide technical support to our partners, project officers from Liberia were invited to participate in virtual courses led by our territory’s emergency disaster services. “Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services” provided a baselinefor emergency response practices, while “Foundations of Emotional and Spiritual Care” focused on the care of a whole person, through emotional, spiritual, ethical, intellectual, environmental and physical wellness.
After participating in these courses, the international projects officers will be better equipped for developing emergency response projects on the ground in Liberia.
By Robyn Goodyear
“The training was rich and resourceful,” says Major Abraham Collins, project officer for The Salvation Army in the Liberia and Sierra Leone Command “It prepared me to organize a locally trained disaster management team, and to conduct myself in a manner reflective of the compassion and dignity of Christ.”
Their involvement also benefitted the Canadian participants. Recognizing diversity as a strength and adding the voices of these experienced project officers to the discussions provided an opportunity to hear new perspectives on current practices. These perspectives allow us to identify what we may take for granted in emergency response, and how we can improve to bridge those gaps.
“Experts agree that investing in disaster preparedness and mitigation not only saves money during a response but reduces the social impacts of potential hazards,” says Perron Goodyear, territorial director of emergency disaster services in Canada and Bermuda. “By helping to build capacity of partner territories, we hope to reduce their vulnerability and increase their resilience to cope with hazards.”
Through this sharing of knowledge and perspectives, our partnerships across The Salvation Army world are strengthened Together, we can build our capacity and resiliency when disaster strikes.
