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African
Children's
Mission |
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Mission Statement As Christ cared for and uplifted those most powerless, so, too, the Church of the Redeemer strives to care for those suffering from the devastating impact of AIDS in Africa. The committee has sought to: Ø Empower our congregation to improve the lives and hopes of these infants and children by supporting established and new programs Ø Develop an interactive educational and spiritual relationship between these children and our parish’s children, young people, and adults Ø Coordinate activities with other faith-based organizations when our mission coincides with their mission Ø Ensure that funds are applied effectively and efficiently to address the pressing needs of these children orphaned by AIDS. In fulfilling its mission, the African Children’s Mission at Redeemer funds community-based projects organized by local leaders to benefit infants and children orphaned by AIDS in Malawi. We partner with the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) which not only works with us to identify worthy projects but also provides oversight of the funding to ensure that funds are indeed applied effectively and efficiently. Redeemer’s African Children’s Mission is led by a group of volunteers who meet monthly on Saturday mornings in the Parish House to plan fund raising and educational efforts as well as to plan how funds will be used. We maintain personal contact with our brothers and sisters in Malawi through correspondence and self-funded visits by members of Redeemer and the campus ministry at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. For more information about the African Children’s Mission at Redeemer, contact Carol Chew (cchew206@comcast.net) or any member of the mission. For more information about Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance, visit www.thegaia.org
Daily Log from the 2007 Travel Team--PDF
View the African
Children's Mission video
View the African
Children's Mission video
If you need, click here for some helpful hints to view these videos. The ACM continues to work with the children and youth at the Redeemer to develop empathy and awareness of the plight of Malawian children. Part of instructing Redeemer’s youth and children about a compassionate God is helping them experience compassion for others. The ‘Malawi Box’ containing artifacts brought back from Malawi came with a lesson plan and hands-on activities to help children learn more about life in Malawi.
In February 2006, valentine cards were handmade by youth ages 8-16 for children in Malawi. The cards were mailed to our Global Aids Interfaith Alliance Malawi contact, Sister Gertrude, who distributed the valentine cards to children in select villages.
In the spring, The Redeemer Youth Group participated in an evening of Malawi cooking in the youth cottage - it was an evening of authentic Malawian food and fun which raised awareness of the situation in Malawi. In March the Redeemer Youth Group was given a presentation concerning the economic realities of poverty in the third world.
Redeemer children also created Malawi flags and handprints with greetings to be taken to Malawi with the 2007 travel team. The 2009 Journey to Malawi This July, George Steele, MD, Priscilla Bradshaw, Suzie Welsh, and Stephen Billings travelled to Malawi to visit several of the projects supported by the African Children’s Mission. These included animal husbandry programs, the care and feeding of infants at orphanages, an intervention program for teens living on the streets, and nurse education and training. The travel team will share photos, experiences, and reflections at an Adult Forum in the Parish House on Wednesday evening, October 21 from 7:15 to 8:30 PM. Supper will precede that presentation, for those who wish to partake.
Nursing Scholarship Program In this fifth year of the Mission, we continue to learn about the powerfully compelling needs in Malawi and how best to respond. We know that a growing shortage of skilled nurses threatens the basic healthcare available to children orphaned as a result of the AIDS pandemic. In response, we are helping to support 4 nursing students through scholarships that include students’ annual expenses for tuition, room, and board, in addition to uniforms, shoes, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, watches, and small living stipends. Each new nurse has pledged to remain in Malawi for a minimum 4-year commitment at a government or mission hospital after graduation. The goal is to enable these young people to become leaders in fighting the AIDS pandemic at home.
Have-A-Heart Campaign Members of the Mission make Valentine’s Day a little more meaningful each year with the “Have-A-Heart” campaign. Thanks to those who responded generously to Cupid’s arrow, the Mission raised more than $8000 to support children in Malawi whose lives have been affected by AIDS.
Medicines Assistance Program (MAP) International Through contacts at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the Mission has learned about MAP International (through which Wyeth itself donates), a program that helps distribute medicines to the developing world. MAP International researches the medicinal needs of target countries, assembles donated medicines into shipping containers, and provides customs clearance assistance. Travelers to Malawi have personally delivered large boxes of much-needed medical supplies to clinics in Malawi through this program.
Got Goat? Over the past 4 years, our “Got Goat?” campaign has spread awareness of the Mission while raising money for the purchase of live goats for villagers in Malawi. Goats are extremely valuable as sustainable sources of milk and, of course, more goats. Redeemer youth sold “goats” after Sunday services, while college students sold “goats” on the Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College campuses. All together, we raised over $8,000 – enough to purchase and deliver more than 250 goats and teach new goat owners how to care for them.
Children’s Education Each year, children have learned about Malawi through age-appropriate lessons. Lessons for the younger children have focused on how our ministry in Malawi strives to serve broad objectives (the Millennium Development Goals). The older groups have been introduced to some role plays based on materials that are used in Malawi to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS. Fund Raising
“Got Goat” Campaign Goats for the bargain price of $20 each are sold as Christmas gifts at Redeemer during the Christmas season, and through the auspices of GAIA (Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance) are given (with training) to hungry households in Malawi.
Great Concerts for Great Causes
A series of concerts offered by
Redeemer to the larger community with proceeds dedicated to the two
primary parish outreach ministries: the African Children’s Mission and
Interfaith Hospitality Network.
A Valentine’s Day parish-wide mailing which invites Redeemer parishioners to support the African Children’s Mission with a financial gift.
Christmas Joyful Giving
Through Redeemer’s “Joyful Giving”
program, parishioners donate funds to the African Children’s Mission in
honor of someone special to them – usually as a Christmas gift that
keeps on giving.
Voice of The Redeemer is our
Parish Newsletter. The Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) partners with religious organizations in resource-poor countries for community-based HIV prevention and care.
Africa Action is the oldest organization in the U.S. working on African affairs. We are a national organization based in Washington, DC. Our work dates back to 1953, the year our oldest predecessor organization was founded in New York.
AidsinAfrica.net is an online resource for current information on HIV/AIDS in Africa. This website uses visual models, such as animated maps and diagrams, to make the the statistics behind HIV/AIDS in Africa more engaging and easy to understand. AidsinAfrica.net is also home of the in-progress documentary "5 Heroes of AIDS in Africa."
AllAfrica Global Media is a multi-media content service provider, systems technology developer and the largest electronic distributor of African news and information worldwide. Registered in Mauritius, with offices in Johannesburg, Dakar, Lagos and Washington, D.C., AllAfrica is one of a family of companies that aggregate, produce and distribute news from across Africa to tens of millions of end users.
Africa’s Angels is a privately run website and is not affiliated with any specific organization. Its goals are to provide information about the AIDS epidemic in Africa, the resulting orphan crisis, the many organizations and individuals working to help these children, and details on how anyone can help. It is meant to serve as a resource for those looking to learn more about the situation and also provide a guide for those searching for ways to help Africa’s orphans.
The American Friends Service Committee is a practical expression of the faith of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Committed to the principles of nonviolence and justice, it seeks in its work and witness to draw on the transforming power of love, human and divine.
Get Involved We welcome the thoughts, suggestions, and active participation of anyone who shares our sense of mission and is interested in making a difference in Malawi. You will find many varied opportunities to contribute in ways that are manageable for you. If you would like further information about the Mission, please speak with Carol Chew (cchew206@comcast.net) or any member of the mission. |
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