giving—of thinking of friends and family. It’s a time to come together and celebrate, but for many here in Canada and around the world, it can be a very lonely and anxious time.
I’m happy to report that your spirit of giving this year has lessened the anxiety for many by providing gifts in the form of much-needed resources for individuals to thrive
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word “gift” as “a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present; a natural ability or talent.”
These different types of gifts are represented in the global stories that we highlight in this edition of Global Link—the gift of time and talents in the life of Lieutenant (Dr.) Marco Herrera Lopizic; the gift of tools and seeds in Liberia; the gift of compassion by coming alongside people affected by disaster in Haiti; the gift of play in Mozambique; and the gift of a safe environment in Kenya.
As you think of that ideal gift for someone special this year, check out our gift catalogue at SalvationArmy.ca/giftsofhope and make a difference in the life of an individual beyond our borders.
Thank you for your generosity and Happy Christmas!
Sincerely,
Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray
Director of International Development
FOOD FOR ALL
By Robyn Goodyear
“If we promote sustainable agriculture with modern technologies and fair distribution systems, we can sustain the whole world’s population and make sure that nobody will ever suffer from hunger again.”
—United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Did you know? Hunger is the leading cause of death worldwide. Food insecurity continues to plague humanity and without accelerated progress, it will continue.
The Salvation Army advocates for food security for all, which is why we ’ re working with our overseas partners to build the Sustainable Agriculture in Liberia (SAIL) project.
This three-year project will support more than 200 small-scale farmers in the communities of Cotton Tree and Mount Barclay These rural communities face severe food insecurity due to increasing food prices and inflation—problems that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address this problem, The Salvation Army in Liberia identified the need for agricultural training in order to enhance farming skills and food production.
To find out how you can support SAIL, contact us at SAID@salvationarmy.ca
Through the SAIL project, farmers will receive seed packages to begin their crops, as well as demonstration plots in the community where they can learn sustainable farming methods. They will also receive training in seed selection, preparation of soil, sowing, pest control, harvesting methods and crop storage.
To further promote sustainability, The Salvation Army is also collaborating with the local government health sector to address malnutrition by providing training on the importance of maintaining a balanced diet.
With the tools and training received from The Salvation Army, hundreds of farmers can plant crops that will not only provide food for their households but can also be sold to generate an income that can provide for other essentials.
Through SAIL, generational poverty can be broken for hundreds of families.
KENYA’S FUTURE GENERATION
Around the world, The Salvation Army has long been committed to empowering youth experiencing homelessness.
Today, there are approximately 300,000 street children and youth living across Kenya. With support from our Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program, The Salvation Army in Canada has commenced a three-year outreach program to help strengthen the country’s homelessyouth.
With support from our sponsors, we ’ re providing safe facilities for street youth to receive quality education, life-skills training, regular meals, and clothing. This program is set to expand in three communities across Kenya: Kakamega, Eldoret and Kitale
“Every child has their own unique story,” says Major Hudson Mouhaliar, development secretary at The Salvation Army in Kenya. “While there are common reasons that pushchildren to the streets, treating each child as an individual with their own backstory and identity is key to understanding and meeting their needs.”
By Kathy Nguyen
The Salvation Army provides more than justfinancial and practical support—as with mostArmy projects, emotional and spiritual support is deeply woven into our programs.
In Kakamega, Salvation Army personneland program staff organized a prayer day for street youth sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, an examination used to rank and stream students into secondary and technical schools.
“The program has been very well received by the communities involved,” says Major Heather Matondo, sponsorship co-ordinator in the international development department. “The government, our colleagues at The Salvation Army in Kenya and the program staff, are ready to work hand-in-hand to ensure the children have a safer environment.”
