World Hunger Committee
World Hunger Committee
The Virginia Synod World Hunger Committee
The Rev. Kelly D. B. Derrick
Click here to email Pastor Derrick
St. Philip, Roanoke
8101 Williamson Rd
Roanoke, VA 24019
540-366-7046
The Virginia Synod World Hunger Committee is comprised of representatives from each of the conferences of the synod. It's purpose is to promote hunger education and awareness among the members of the synod and to encourage giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. The Virginia Synod regularly ranks among the top five of all ELCA synods in per capita giving to the World Hunger Appeal. The committee also supports sustainable development projects.
All congregations of the synod are asked to pray every Sunday for the poor and hungry around the world, and to encourage congregational giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
World Hunger Links
http://thehungersite.com (Excellent source for hunger facts)
Click here to visit
http://yako.habari.co.tz (Makumira Lutheran Seminary - Tanzania)
Click here to visit
Tanzania Website
http://members.cox.net/afrikakaribu
Click here to visit
What about Child Sponsorship Programs?
Frequently our members inquire about or become involved with various agencies that sponsor individual children in developing countries. They want to know why the ELCA does not do this sort of thing. There are some very good reasons why which are detailed in the material below (be sure to read as far as "What We Don't Do and Why").
Background
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sometimes receives inquiries from concerned ELCA members who want to sponsor needy children in other countries. Child sponsorship programs provide one way to respond to needs we see around us. For some people, it is a way to get started in contributing to hungry people. However, the ELCA's worldwide contact with partner churches, relief and development agencies, missionaries and, most importantly, local people themselves teaches that there may be more effective ways to help.
How We Respond to Children
The ELCA supports community-based relief and development projects in which whole communities lead, participate and benefit. These projects, largely supported through gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, are carried out by Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA Division for Global Mission, ELCA missionaries, Church World Service and ELCA partner churches around the world.
For example, Lutheran World Relief has 52 years of experience working with local communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. These partnerships foster a sense of local ownership for the development activities (new wells, health care, improved farming) that continues long after LWR's direct involvement and support ends. Effective aid means that local people define their own needs and priorities, not distant donors. Their problems usually involve long-term solutions, not quick fixes. LWR always works with communities rather than giving direct support to individual persons. This way of working promotes dignity, self-reliance and sustainable development. It is an investment in the people who do the work. It is also a cost effective way to work.
Wise Ways to Respond to Needs We See around Us
Knowing that congregations, Sunday schools and individuals may want to make special gifts at special times, we recommend the agencies mentioned above. Donors may examine their philosophy and record of experience. An on-going program with built-in accountability and proven management is a solid choice for those interested in good stewardship and making a difference in the long term.
In addition, the ELCA provides the following designated giving opportunities: *
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Medical care for young polio victims in China provides surgical and physical rehabilitation for 500 young polio victims, 6 to 8 years old. ELCA works through the Amity Foundation, founded by Chinese Christians.
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Ministry to street children in Brazil helps children who are abandoned by their parents and have no place to live. Children learn to read and write, get food and warm clothes. The ELCA works through the Lutheran Church in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Kindergarten in Indonesia develops early childhood education programs for poor children in remote villages in Indonesia. Funds train teachers and helps local congregations to fund their own kindergartens.
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Medical care for refugee children helps young refugees start a new life in the United States with new health. Project helps pay for a child's surgery, dental work, treatment or therapy to give them a fresh start in their new homeland.
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Hope for the Children Fund helps the ELCA World Hunger Appeal reach out to children in need throughout the world. The ELCA's partners (Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Federation and the ELCA Division for Global Mission) depend on gifts to the Hunger Appeal for on-going support of their relief and development work around the world.
Please make your check payable to "ELCA Specific Mission Support" and designate clearly the project name on your check. Mail to ELCA Mission Support, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.
* For a free brochure with these projects and more, order "Response: Specific Mission Support for Childrens' Needs 1996-97" (code 67-3392) from Augsburg Fortress at 800/328-4648.
See also "World Village: Home of World Turtle" for five designated giving opportunities from Lutheran World Relief and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal specifically written for Sunday schools. Projects feature hands-on help for communities in Peru, Niger, India, Laos and Kenya. Includes large color poster. Order from Augsburg Fortress (code 67-3421), free.
For more information about the ELCA's response to hungry people both overseas and at home, please call the ELCA Resource Information Service at 800/638-3522.
What We Don't Do and Why
The ELCA has a long-standing commitment: reaching out to neighbors all over the world through their communities. It is based on partnerships, cost effectiveness and accountability. This approach does not include promoting child sponsorship for a number of reasons:
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Sponsorships tend to create divisions within families and entire villages. When one child receives special attention such as letters, gifts, clothing, education and medical attention, other members of the family and community may become envious. Parents may feel humiliated when reminded that they are unable to provide for their child.
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Sponsorships tend to maintain dependence. Sponsored children may begin to feel that their well-being depends on the gifts of donors. When support ends as the child reaches adulthood, he or she may fall back into poverty, having gained little from the experience.
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Sponsorship programs tend to perpetuate stereotypes about people in other countries. Advertisements designed to stir our compassion and motivate our giving may depict children as helpless victims whose parents are unable to cope. These ads focus on one child or one family, rather than on the causes of their poverty and the strength of their communities in making changes.
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Sponsorship programs are expensive to administer. The television and magazine advertising most child sponsorship programs use to enlist support, and the letters, translations, photographs and reports provided to sponsors are expensive. They are designed to satisfy the donor's need to obtain feedback from the recipient of the aid. The money spent on behalf of donors could be used to benefit the children.
Prepared by Laurel Hensel
ELCA World Hunger Program
World Wide Websites that will help
you learn more about World Hunger
ELCA World Hunger Program
United Nations Fact File (Check Archive, Profile and Vault)
Bread for the World (Check Resources for Journalists/Hunger & Poverty Facts)
