Lutheran World Informationlwi LWF Encourages Churches in India Highlights to Support Calls for Gender Justice

Lutheran World InformationLWI LWF Encourages Churches in India Highlights to Support Calls for Gender Justice

Lutheran Diaconal Workers Define a Holistic Framework for Diakonia in Europe...... 4 A broad framework for an action plan on reforming community diakonia in the aftermath of the financial crisis affecting most of Europe since 2008 was agreed by a core group of Lutherans working in this field...

LWF Support to Households in Myanmar Strengthens Community Participation...... 6 The bi-annual meeting of the Committee for World Service held in Yangon, Myanmar was an occasion for members of the LWF governance body to learn how the LWF works with local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods...

Building a Foster Network in South Sudan Refugee Camps..9 A women’s empowerment seminar in India. © Lutheran World Service India Trust Savid misses his mother. Last December, the nine year-old was still living at the Yusuf Batil refugee Junge’s Open Letter Emphasizes Need to Break Silence camp with his brother, Mohamed, his grandparents and his uncle’s over Violence against Women family... GENEVA (LWI) – The Lutheran World The general secretary noted that this FEATURE: A New Home She Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. concrete case had revealed again that the Never Dared to Hope for in Martin Junge said the brutal assault and implicit violence enshrined in unjust gender Haiti...... 11 rape that led to the death of a young woman relationships finds explicit expression in Three years ago, Marie and her in New Delhi, India, stands out as a painful actions of violence, experienced by many family lived a “decent” life. But that changed on 12 January 2010 reminder that “the achievement of gender women around the world today and for when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake justice is a matter of life and death.” which “sometimes they have to pay with struck... In a 14 January open letter to the United their very lives.” Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India The case prompted protests in India (UELCI), Junge offered the LWF’s prayers calling for tougher laws against crimes for strength and courage upon the bereaved related to violence against women. For the family and all who mourn the loss of life LWF general secretary, this remarkable through such ruthless violence. reaction “stands in stark contrast to the at- According to media reports, the woman titude of denial and silence” that is common and her male companion were attacked on in similar cases. It is an expression of the a bus in New Delhi on 16 December 2012. She died of her injuries at a Singapore hospital about two weeks later. Continues on page 8 201301 Contents

Communio

“Seeking Conviviality” Workshop on Community Diakonia in Europe 3 ��Church Serving Community in Ukrainian Context 4 �� Lutheran Diaconal Workers Define a Holistic Framework for Diakonia in Europe

6 ��LWF Support to Households in Myanmar Strengthens Community Participation 7 ��LWF DMD Director Musa Filibus Accepts Call as Diocesan Bishop in Nigeria 8 ��LWF Encourages Churches in India to Support Calls for Gender Justice

Features & Themes 9 ��Building a Foster Network in South Sudan Refugee Camps 10 �� Healing Through Play

11 ��A New Home She Never Dared to Hope for in Haiti

News in Brief 2 ��LWF Offers Deepest Sympathy to Families of Brazil Fire Victims 5 ��LWF Reaction to Pope Benedict’s Announced Resignation 8 ��New Publication Explores the Bible’s Potential in Transforming Society

LWF Offers Deepest Sympathy to Families of Brazil Fire Victims The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. do Sul region. The victims, most under the age of 20, had Martin Junge, offered the communion’s deepest sympathy to inhaled toxic fumes or were crushed in the panic. the families of the more than 230 young people who died in a Junge offered prayers for the injured and for IECLB congre- “dreadful” nightclub fire on 27 January in Brazil. gations coping with the pastoral challenges caused by the tragedy. “Words fail us before the death of so many young people. “It is promised that it is precisely in such times of deep pain Their desires and hopes, their joys and ambitions have been and weakness that God takes us by the hand and inspires the tragically cut short,” Junge said in a letter to the President of ministry of love, care and acceptance to which the congrega- the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil tions and communities of the IECLB are today being called,” (IECLB), Rev. Dr Nestor P. Friedrich. Junge said. The fire took place after a band lit fireworks at a crowded The general secretary assured the Brazilian church of the nightclub in Santa Maria, a university city in the Rio Grande Lutheran communion’s support, solidarity and accompaniment.

Lutheran World Information More LWI News at www.lutheranworld.org/lwf

The Lutheran World Federation Head of Communications Lutheran World Information (LWI) – A Communion of Churches Heidi P. Martinussen is the information service [email protected] of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). 150, route de Ferney P.O. Box 2100 Editor Unless specifically noted, material presented CH-1211 Geneva 2, Pauline Mumia does not represent positions or opinions of the Switzerland [email protected] LWF or of its various units.

Telephone +41/22-791 61 11 Layout Where the dateline of an article contains the Fax +41/22-791 66 30 Stéphane Gallay notation (LWI), the material may be freely E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] reproduced with acknowledgment.

www.lutheranworld.org Circulation/subscription Colette Muanda [email protected]

2 No. 01/2013 Lutheran World Information World Lutheran “Seeking Conviviality” Workshop on Community Diakonia in Europe 16–19 January, Odessa, Ukraine Church Serving Community in Ukrainian Context Second LWF Workshop on Community Diakonia in Europe ODESSA, Ukraine/GENEVA (LWI) – A group of Lutheran pastors, educators and diaconal workers (working in church social services) met in the Black Sea port city of Odessa for an ongoing initiative of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) European region on reforming community diakonia on the continent. The 16-19 January workshop was the second meeting of the group, coordinated by the LWF Depart- ment for Mission and Development (DMD) Europe Desk under the theme “Seeking Conviviality.” The meetings explore relevant responses to the economic and financial crisis DELKU Bishop Uland Spahlinger at the workshop’s opening worship service at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in that has affected most of Europe Odessa. © LWF/Anli Serfontein since 2008. The inaugural meeting in Järvenpää, Finland in December 2011 tion promotes learning, networking, Federation of the Evangelical Lu- mapped out the growing vulnerability research and development for social theran Church in Russia and Other and marginalization of people and dis- action in countries within Central States (ELCROS). cussed emerging holistic approaches to and Eastern Europe. Speaking at the opening wor- community diakonia in Europe. Convening in Odessa was an op- ship service at St Paul’s Lutheran The workshops are organized in portunity for participants to also learn Church in Odessa, DELKU Bishop collaboration with the International about the social and economic con- Uland Spahlinger told delegates that Academy for Diakonia and Social texts of the German Evangelical Lu- before 1914, the Odessa congregation Action (interdiac) based in Český theran Church in Ukraine (DELKU), counted 10,000 Lutherans, today it Těšín, Czech Republic. Interdiac, which hosted the event. DELKU is has hardly 250 members. He noted a non-profit educational organiza- one of the regional churches of the that church life has only returned to the city in the last two decades after nearly 70 years under Communism rule. The Lutheran church itself was only recently renovated after destruc- tion by a fire in 1976.

A Post-Soviet Situation Spahlinger told Lutheran World In- formation (LWI) that the situation of the church in Ukraine is different from that in other Eastern European countries such as Poland or the Czech Republic. Ukraine is essentially “a post-Soviet situation, meaning that there is no interaction and virtually St Paul’s Lutheran Church was renovated recently. no co-operation between the Govern- © LWF/Anli Serfontein ment and our church,” he said.

No. 01/2013 3 “I think it is important for people Rev. Tony Addy, head of education people do not learn to cooperate and from Western Europe and Scandi- at interdiac told participants, “We are work together.” This, he said, affects navia to have seen and better under- at the half-way point of the diaconal the work of the church in communi- stand what our situation is like in process in this consultation. We are ties and within society. the far Eastern part of Europe,” the here to get to know the Ukrainian Delegates discussed four themes: DELKU bishop said, referring to del- context and diakonia through the vocation, conviviality, justice and egates’ visits to church-run diakonia realities of the Odessa region and to dignity, which will be part of the projects in the greater Odessa area. use that as a mirror in our own work.” content for a document on strategies The Odessa workshop looked at for change and the next steps in the approaches and methodologies that process. can help effectively link up local, Strategies for Change The core-group of participants political and structural levels of social Speaking on the socio-political situa- in the “Seeking Conviviality” work- and economic change to build strong tion in Ukraine, Dr Mykhaylo Pusto- shops comes from 14 countries in partnerships across Europe. voyt, head of the Institute of Psychol- the three LWF regions of Central “We are churches in transfor- ogy and Psychotherapy in Odessa, Eastern and Central Western Europe mation in ever-changing societies. told delegates that the instability of and the Nordic region. At the Odessa Therefore we are responding to the the political and judicial system in meeting, they assessed the first challenges in which the church also the country had meant that after the practical steps in advocating a new has the resources and know-how to be Orange Revolution—the civil society perspective on community diakonia, a key and significant player,” Rev. Dr protests after the 2004 presidential and deliberated ways of sharing the Eva Sibylle Vogel-Mfato, LWF area election—people yearned for strong European experiences with the global secretary for Europe told delegates. leaders. “In such an unstable system LWF communion.

Lutheran Diaconal Workers Define a Holistic Framework for Diakonia in Europe A broad framework for an action plan on reforming community diakonia in the aftermath of the financial crisis affecting most of Europe since 2008 was agreed by a core group of Luther- ans working in this field. The outline adopted by the “solidarity group” of diaconal workers and educators from all three European regions of The Lutheran World Fed- eration (LWF) incorporates practical actions with a combined strategy to achieve a more holistic approach to diakonia (church social service) for diaconal workers and decision- makers in churches in Europe. Lutheran World Information The workshop participants em- Participants included Ms Marjut Lukkarinen from Finland (left) and Rev. Daniela Schwimbersky from Austria. phasized “conviviality” as a key © LWF/Anli Serfontein concept for diakonia in Europe. The term implies that the foundation of churches is diverse and includes In Odessa, participants prepared communities is based on reciprocal many different realities. They af- individual action plans and estab- relationships between people, while firmed the group’s working process lished partnerships to help them undergirding respect for both people as a participatory approach that helps implement findings in the ongoing and communities that are “different.” to build trust between the respective process. They suggested that the Diakonia, they noted, “is rooted in individuals and commitment to the final report and action plan take into congregational life and congrega- overall process. It also enhances a account the different situations in tional life is community life.” deeper understanding of the issues Europe and incorporate individual They underlined that while the faced in each context, while provid- and common project plans that link LWF represents one church coming space for mutual learning and social justice issues to a just economy. munion, the context of Lutheran critical review.

4 No. 01/2013 Lutheran World Information World Lutheran regional perspective should also include the Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia as well as parts of Russia, she added.

Action Plans The action plans include an overall strategy to bring the findings of the process so far into the LWF structures at the European level, and to countries that are not represented in the solidarity group. Gunnel Claesson from the Church of Sweden echoed the views of many participants when she said Learning about diaconal work in Odessa included sharing a meal with children at the Living Hope day-care “We do not want this document to center. © LWF/Anli Serfontein Learning among sit on a shelf; it should be used in Participants the communist era when church so- the field.” cial service existed primarily through Rev. Dr Eva Sibylle Vogel-Mfato, Interdiac’s head of education Rev. informal congregational and personal LWF area secretary for Europe Tony Addy emphasized that the involvement. In these countries, or- said the next phase in the process main outcome of the Odessa work- ganized diakonia could only begin is crucial as it involves applying the shop was not only the preparation of to redevelop after the fall of the Iron methodologies identified for the action plans by each participant and Curtain that had divided Europe for respective action plans. “Participants mapping out the general concepts over four decades, he said. will now bring back to their local, and methodologies. “We deepen the For Janka Adameova, interdiac political and structural church levels relationship and learning between manager, the workshop had brought the approaches and methodologies the participants and we get the real a deeper understanding between to diakonia identified in the process. learning from Eastern Europe, not as the three regions—Central Eastern At our next meeting, we will look at a marginal note but as a central part Europe, Central Western Europe what has worked, what could not be of the process. Eastern Europe has a and the Nordic countries. Until achieved as planned and why, and much more equal voice,” he said. now, there was only one general un- build strategies that will help bring Addy noted that the group started derstanding of diakonia which was about meaningful change to mar- its work from a position where it had introduced mainly by partners in ginalized people and communities,” to integrate different approaches. He Western Europe. “Eastern European she added. cited concepts in countries such as countries used to be under repre- The group will hold its next work- Germany, with a continuous 150- sented,” she said. shop in January 2014. year tradition of organized diakonia, Adameova also called for a broad- (Written for LWI by Berlin-based compared to Eastern Europe, where er definition of what Europe entails journalist Anli Serfontein) this tradition was interrupted during beyond the European Union. This

LWF Reaction to Pope Benedict’s Announced Resignation The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) received “with surprise” to the search for the unity of the church and his support to the news that Pope Benedict XVI would resign as head of the ongoing ecumenical dialogues. Roman Catholic Church on 28 February 2013. Younan and Junge underlined the 50 years of dialogue A statement by Vatican Radio said the pope had announced between the LWF and the Vatican as an enriching mutual his intended resignation as his “strengths, due to an advanced journey which Pope Benedict has strongly supported. age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine They recalled the pontiff’s discussions with LWF leaders ministry.” during a private audience at the Vatican in December 2010, at Speaking to Lutheran World Information (LWI), LWF which Benedict expressed gratitude for “the many significant President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan and LWF General fruits produced” by decades of bilateral discussions between Secretary Rev. Martin Junge said they offered their prayers Lutherans and Roman Catholics. for the pope and the Catholic Church during this time. They Benedict, 85, became pope in 2005 following the death of expressed their deep appreciation for Benedict’s commitment Pope John Paul II.

No. 01/2013 5 LWF Support to Households in Myanmar Strengthens Community Participation Committee for World Service Visits Projects, Approves Global Strategy

YANGON, Myanmar/GENEVA (LWI) – for a better future. Now I have chickens Service (ALWS) said, “The communi- The bi-annual meeting of the Com- and a piglet. I am aware of these changes ty seems to be confident. They actively mittee for World Service held in in my family because I record them on participated in the process of construc- Yangon, Myanmar, 14-17 January, the partner household assessment form.” tion of a community hall and bridges was an occasion for members of The The chairpersons of the respective by taking and sharing responsibility Lutheran World Federation (LWF) village development committees— among the villagers in an organized governance body to learn how the including youth, women, farmers’ manner. This was an uplifting sign of LWF works with local communities and manual laborers’ groups—ex- the unity within the community.” to promote sustainable livelihoods. plained how the members actively Other committee members commended the positive community participation and the significant improve- ment of the village in just three years through the empowerment process. Mr Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, DWS global program coordinator expressed appreciation to LWF Myan- mar for the inclusion of school-age children in the village projects. “In the children’s club, the youth group members facilitate children to get involved in village development activities such as plastic management and waste control campaign. I believe that this process encourages children’s participation, and teaches them to take Members of the LWF Committee for World Service and a local staff person observe a fuel-efficient stove made responsibility in development activities from local materials at Ah Si Ka Lay village, southern Myanmar. © LWF Myanmar/Wyne Sandy Myint to improve their lives in the village. In the future, these children will gradu- Committee members travelled 93 participate in different activities. ally be empowered to take over village kilometers by boat through canals and Sharing his impressions after the development management.” rivers to four villages in the Ayeyar- visits, Mr Peter Schirmer, executive In a country that is prone to flood- waddy delta in the south, where the secretary, Australian Lutheran World ing, the World Service program works LWF Department for World Service (DWS) supports community members in building capacity to meet basic needs. At That Htay Gone village, a 45 year old mother shared her experience Lutheran World Information of being a partner household of LWF Myanmar. “Before I did not have a proper latrine and did not know how important hygiene was. My children and I frequently suffered from diarrhea and other diseases related to poor hygiene.” In 2011 an LWF-trained village health volunteer explained the impor- tance of proper sanitation and how to build and use a latrine properly, she said. “We built a fly-proof latrine, supported by

LWF Myanmar. Since then, our health Left to right: Committee members Mr Peter Schirmer, ALWS executive secretary; Ms Birgitte Qvist-Sorensen, is better. That means we can work more DanChurchAid international director; and Dr Petra Feil, DWS program officer for Quality Assurance and and earn more. LWF helped me plan Accountability. © LWF Myanmar/Wyne Sandy Myint

6 No. 01/2013 Lutheran World Information World Lutheran in 50 villages in four districts. LWF’s versely affected by cyclones and other country and associate programs, and ap- intervention began in 2008, follow- natural disasters remains an additional proved the World Service Global Strat- ing the cyclone Nargis, which killed challenge for World Service’s work in egy 2013-2018. The committee is chaired nearly 140,000 people and destroyed the coming years. He said the global by Rev. Dr A.G. Augustine Jeyakumar housing, infrastructure and livelihoods. environment and events which affect (United Evangelical Lutheran Churches The current focus includes support to LWF’s humanitarian response include in India) and includes 18 representa- communities in initiatives for disaster the negative impact of climate change; tives from LWF member churches and reduction and management through increased violent conflicts; the global related partner organizations. trained teams, awareness-raising, and financial crisis; and the need to pay This year’s meeting was the first to prevention and mitigation interventions. more attention to the role of religion in be held in Myanmar, where the LWF In his official address to the com- humanitarian and development work. has four member churches. The committee, DWS director Rev. Eberhard In addition to input from the Myan- mittee reports to the LWF Council. Hitzler noted that the likelihood of mar program, the Committee for World (By Wyne Sandy Myint, LWF more countries and people being ad- Service discussed updates from other Myanmar communications officer) LWF DMD Director Musa Filibus Accepts Call as Diocesan Bishop in Nigeria General Secretary Junge Grateful for Outstanding Leadership with Passion for the Church GENEVA (LWI) – Rev. Dr Musa Panti changes both in the LWF Commu- Filibus, director of the Depart- nion Office and in the LCCN. ment for Mission and Development “I feel blessed and honored to (DMD) at The Lutheran World serve in a communion so abundantly Federation (LWF), has accepted a endowed with many gifts and talents calling by the Lutheran Church of among its staff and churches. At the Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) to serve same time, I feel greatly humbled as bishop of the Mayo Belwa Diocese. and deeply moved to participate in “I received this news with both joy the LCCN’s ministry during chal- and sadness,” LWF General Secretary lenging times in Nigeria and in the Rev. Martin Junge wrote in a 30 January African region.” letter to the LWF Council, informing The LCCN has more than 2 mil- the governing body of the DMD direc- lion members and is one of the two tor’s response to the LCCN. LWF member churches in Nigeria. It The general secretary said he is organized in eight dioceses, each was filled with joy knowing that the headed by a bishop, one mission

Mayo Belwa Diocese ministry of Rev. Dr Musa Panti Filibus, DMD director area headed by a pastor, and led at oversight and unity will be served by © LWF/H. Putsman Penet national level by Archbishop Nemuel “an outstanding leader.” He expressed A. Babba. gratitude for the committed leader- oping holistic ministries in their Located in Adamawa State, ship and vitality Filibus provided at respective contexts and in deepening northeastern Nigeria, the Mayo DMD, “his love for the church and relations with each other. Belwa Diocese was created in 2011 his passion to see the church suc- Filibus joined the LWF in Sep- and includes 300 congregations ceeding” in its call to participate in tember 2002 as LWF area secretary served by about 60 pastors and other God’s mission. for Africa, and was appointed DMD church workers. Filibus will be in- “I am convinced that these gifts director in December 2010. Follow- stalled as the first bishop in October will be of great blessing for the ing restructuring in the LWF, the 2013, which coincides with the church into which he is now called to Council in 2012 appointed him to LCCN’s 100th anniversary. serve as a bishop,” Junge added. He serve also as LWF Deputy General Filibus, 53, was ordained as pas- invited prayers as Filibus continues Secretary. tor of the LCCN in 1994. He studied his duties in the LWF Communion Speaking to Lutheran World theology in Nigeria and in the United Office until July, while preparing for Information (LWI), Filibus said the States, where he obtained a PhD in his new role. decision to serve as a diocesan bishop pastoral theology. He and his wife DMD accompanies and assists came after lengthy and prayerful Rev. Ruth Filibus have three adult LWF member churches in devel- deliberation, as there are important children.

No. 01/2013 7 LWF Encourages Churches in India to Support Calls for Gender Justice

Continued from p. 1 Junge noted that LWF member Churches Say "No" to churches in other parts of the world resolve by Indian civil society to show Violence are learning from equally painful against “that things definitely have to change.” Women situations that the vision of moving Action Plan In his letter to the UELCI, which for the to just relations between men and groups LWF member churches in Churches women requires deep and prayerful India, Junge encouraged the churches self-examination within the church. to support civil society in the evolving In the LWF “we are coming to “courageous step” towards the deep understand that this is best done transformation that needs to happen through the establishment of clear so that situations such as the one policies that state a zero-tolerance experienced by the young woman “are to sexual violence and establish pro- eradicated forever.” cedures to report abuse.” The general secretary expressed His open letter called upon all

The Lutheran World Federation Department for Mission and Development gratitude to the Lutheran churches in Women in Church and Society LWF churches to move beyond hor- India for their ongoing work with a ror and the resulting paralysis over strong gender perspective, and encour- © LWF unspeakable violence by deepening aged them to deepen their commitment their commitment to gender justice. to such programs as one of their contri- Say “No” to Violence against Women, “Silence around violence needs to be butions to the current public discussion. which has been translated into four broken, awareness needs to be raised, He also commended to them resources Indian languages, and the publication leadership needs to be educated and developed in the Lutheran communion “It shall not be so among you!” A Faith policies need to be developed,” Junge including the LWF document, Churches Reflection on Gender and Power. added.

New Publication Explores the Bible’s Potential in Transforming Society “You have the Words of eternal life” - Trans- for interpreting Holy Scriptures so that the formative Readings of the Gospel of John “Bible becomes a source of renewal for both from a Lutheran Perspective” is the title of the church and society.” a new publication by The Lutheran World While the resource is intended for use Federation (LWF). in academic contexts such as the training of Produced in the LWF Documentation pastors and seminarians, the essays can also series (No. 57/2012), the book is one of the be used by individuals “to deepen their own resources devoted to strengthening interpre- understanding of biblical interpretation,” tive practices that seek to critically engage notes the editor, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata,

Lutheran World Information Bible readers in their various contexts. It is LWF study secretary for Lutheran Theology part of the ongoing Lutheran communion and Practice at DTPW. Mtata coordinates learning and sharing of biblical interpreta- the hermeneutics program, which is aimed tions (hermeneutics) begun in 2011 by the at highlighting the significance of the Bible LWF Department for Theology and Public in light of the 500th anniversary of the Ref- Witness (DTPW). ormation in 2017. Contributors to the publication include “You have the Words of eternal life” is pub- Lutheran theologians who participated in the inaugural herme- lished by Lutheran University Press (Minneapolis, USA). The neutics meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2011. Participants translated German edition will be published by Evangelische used the Gospel of John to explore various contextual chal- Gemeindepresse (Stuttgart, Germany). lenges taking into consideration the rich ecumenical perspec- tives and the Lutheran and Reformed traditions. To place orders, please contact Mercedes Restrepo In the book’s preface, LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin [email protected]. Junge underlines the need to develop comprehensive tools

8 No. 01/2013 Lutheran World Information World Lutheran Features & Themes Building a Foster Network in South Sudan Refugee Camps LWF Helps Displaced Families Care for Unaccompanied Minors MABAN, South Sudan/GENEVA (LWI) – Savid misses his mother. Last De- cember, the nine year-old was still living at the Yusuf Batil refugee camp with his brother, Mohamed, his grandparents and his uncle’s family. They had arrived about one month earlier in the camp in Maban county, South Sudan, alongside thousands of other refugees fleeing conflict in their village in Sudan’s Blue Nile state. Savid and Mohamed are the first two children among five siblings. An artillery attack on their village forced the boys and their father to flee home, Separated from their parents by conflict, Savid (right) and Mohamed live with their grandparents at the Yusuf Batil refugee camp, South Sudan. © LWF/Melany Markham and in the process became separated from their mother, two brothers and they are either cared for by relatives or When a child has been orphaned a sister who were at a wedding in other community members, or they or is separated from their parents, other area. Although they have heard are forced to seek other alternatives. often, the first people they come into that their mother and siblings are Since September 2012, The Lu- contact with are their relatives. If the safe, no one in the family has spoken theran World Federation (LWF) has extended family cannot provide sup- to her since they fled. been working at the United Nations port, then the wider community will The boys’ father works in a nearby High Commissioner for Refugees step in to help. It is thus not uncom- town as a cart puller, so they live with (UNHCR) camps in Maban includ- mon for widows to arrive in a refugee their grandparents at the refugee ing at Yusuf Batil, registering children camp with several children, none camp. Their story is one that is all who, like Savid and Mohamed, are of whom are their own, says Tracy too common in disasters, where par- separated from their parents. During Arach, coordinator of the LWF child ents caught in the midst of calamity instability, such children are vulner- protection work in Maban, under often become separated from their able to sexual and physical abuse, the Department for World Service children. Like Mohamed and Savid, forced labor or early marriage for girls. (DWS) South Sudan program. Arach, a Ugandan, has been a child protection worker for over six years. She says that “in African culture, the child belongs to the family” and that the practice of fostering children is a widespread tradition in many African cultures. “Within the family, the child is considered a future leader … and within [the] clan, everyone plays a role in protecting children, not just the im- mediate family.” But modern life and conflict are weakening this tradition. “The extended family is a bit weaker now, because people see themselves as individuals,” she says, adding that Girls sing and clap at the camp where the LWF runs two schools. poverty also forces parents to look © LWF/Melany Markham after their own children first. At

No. 01/2013 9 Yusuf Batil, LWF is helping to fill the tion centers to find any children who runs two schools, which had more gaps left by the traditional structures. are on their own. They also identify than 4,300 students by the end of No- So far, 27 unaccompanied chil- potential foster parents or visit the vember. The LWF also provides basic dren (12 boys and 15 girls) have been families who are already caring for learning materials such as exercise and identified at the camp. Like Mo- foster children to ensure that they text books, pens and pencils, and cur- hamed and Savid, they are currently receive the assistance they need. rently supports a team of 96 teachers. being taken care of by relatives, but In the coming weeks and months, There are an estimated 110,000 it is more than likely that there are community workers will visit Savid and Sudanese refugees living at the UN- many more unaccompanied children Mohamed to interview the grandparents HCR camps in Maban. Against a in the camp, some who have no home and the children separately in order to backdrop of instability in Blue Nile at all. LWF child protection workers ensure that the children are well cared for. and other border states in Sudan, therefore visit public places such as At Yusuf Batil and Gendrassa more people are expected to arrive in schools, clinics and food distribu- refugee camps in Maban, the LWF South Sudan as the dry season sets in.

Healing Through Play

It is a late January afternoon at the ter fleeing violence, enduring diseases the same activity might not hold the Yusuf Batil refugee camp in Maban like malaria and separation from attention of a 12-year-old boy. One of county, South Sudan. A group of over their families, simple games can help the most popular games at the camp 100 children are playing various games restore a child’s happiness and bring schools is football. Second to that is in the grounds of a school. Girls jump them closer to a normal life. jump rope and some of the girls obvi- rope and boys play football. As the The Lutheran World Federation ously practice regularly if their energy sun sinks lower one or two adults join (LWF) has set up two child-friendly and enthusiasm is any indication. in and lead the children in song and spaces at the camp in South Sudan’s Igga Idraku Pasteur, a child protec- action games. The scene is not sponta- Upper Nile state. Like similar spaces tion officer for the LWF in Yusuf Batil neous. It is the result of a deliberately created in other camps where the LWF says it is important that children learn designed ‘child-friendly space.’ collaborates with the United Nations to play together. Not only does it help Child-friendly spaces are cre- High Commissioner for Refugees them heal their emotional wounds, but ated during emergencies to respond (UNHCR), they are located within it helps reduce conflict in the long-term to children’s needs. According to schools. There are 386 children (186 as children from different backgrounds guidelines published by the United boys and 200 girls) registered there. learn to get along with one another. For Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), After classes have finished for the day, this to happen, Pasteur and his colleagues they should be established quickly volleyballs, skipping ropes, hula-hoops, must have the help of the communities and can help protect, nurture and badminton sets and other games are themselves, so LWF engages refugees educate children in an informal way, distributed and the fun begins. to supervise the children while they play. as well as serving as an entry point to Children need a broad range of At Yusuf Batil 12 facilitators (five aid for affected communities. activities to cater for their different women and seven men) have been ap- Simply put, they are places where needs. While a four-year-old girl might pointed. They know what their roles children can play together safely. Af- be happy singing songs and dancing, are as well as their responsibilities, the principles of child rights and the concept behind child-friendly spaces. Lutheran World Information To bolster children’s protection in the refugee camp, the LWF has also established child protection committees and each child-friendly space has its own committee with a balanced representation of men and women. Emergencies can have a hemor- rhaging effect on communities, dis- rupting routines, services and support for children and reducing people’s ability to care and protect their own, says Pasteur. Involvement in child- A space to play; girls skipping rope at the camp. friendly spaces helps them protect and © LWF/Melany Markham support their children again. This is

10 No. 01/2013 Lutheran World Information World Lutheran why it is critical that the community’s all play a role in keeping children safe but happy, for a moment at least, their own networks, people, and resources and helping them heal, he adds. troubles have melted away. are used to maintain the spaces. Par- As the sun sets, the games at the (By Melany Markham, Nairobi ents, grandparents, religious leaders, child-friendly spaces finish for the based LWF regional communications women’s groups and youth groups can day and children head home. Tired, consultant.)

FEATURE: A New Home She Never Dared to Hope for in Haiti LWF ‘Model Village’ Resettlement Program Fosters Long-Term Recovery

GRESSIER, Haiti/GENEVA (LWI) – Three years ago, Marie and her family lived a “decent” life. But that changed on 12 January 2010 when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck 25 kilometers west of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince killing an estimated 220,000 people, and dis- placing around 1.5 million. It caused billions of dollars of physical dam- age in a country that already had an unstable economy and infrastructure. Marie’s family home was destroyed and together with her three children, they have been living in a small rented room in Gressier, west of the capital. “It’s been very stressful,” the 38-year- The LWF model village provides dignified housing and shared facilities for families who lost their homes in the January 2010 earthquake. © LWF Haiti old school teacher told Lutheran World Information (LWI). “My husband died in Haiti. “We are working with the laboration with local partners. After in the earthquake. We could not find people of Gressier to build a model the earthquake in 2010, the LWF his body and could not even give him village that others can emulate, because became involved in rapid response a decent funeral. The children and I housing and a decent standard of living support to the affected communities. were left without support. It has been are basic rights for all Haitians,” he said. Construction of the housing difficult to have enough money to send Through this project, the LWF hopes project began in August 2012, and the children to school.” to inspire all reconstruction to follow the model resettlement village was But soon, Marie, her 14-year- the principle to ‘build back better’. “We inaugurated on 15 February 2013. It old daughter, eight-year-old and want to participate in the common provides permanent dignified housing 13-year-old sons will move into their project to build for the future with the for 150 families who lost their homes own modest new home at a model people here,” he emphasized. in the earthquake. The village is en- resettlement village in the Gressier Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, global vironmentally sustainable with solar area. The Lutheran World Federa- program coordinator for LWF/DWS panels and a green wastewater treat- tion (LWF) Department for World in Geneva noted that more than ment plant. The homes are earthquake Service (DWS) program in Haiti has 300,000 people are still displaced and cyclone resistant. constructed the village with support three years after the earthquake. “We LWF partners which contributed from its partners. need to stop focusing on short-term to the project include the Evangeli- “It [such a home] is something solutions. LWF Haiti is working cal Lutheran Church in America I had not even dared to hope for,” with local communities and the (ELCA), Church of Sweden (CoS), Demornes said. government to shift from short- Lutheran World Relief (LWR), the term humanitarian aid to long-term Primate’s World Relief and Develop- recovery and development,” he added. ment Fund (PWRDF), Dutch orga- A Basic Right LWF’s work in Haiti started nization for development cooperation It is all part of LWF’s contribution with emergency relief assistance in ICCO, the United Nations Stabiliza- to the country’s recovery, noted Per- 1983, and evolved over the years tion Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) olof Lundkvist, LWF representative into development initiatives in col- and the Haitian government.

No. 01/2013 11 Lutheran World Information 1,034.00 (around eightof percent 1,034.00 The selection process for potential home owners included interviews with displaced families. © LWF Haiti © LWF families. displaced with interviews included owners home potential for process selection The Co-ownership and Joint Co-ownership Built on some 58,000 square meters meters square on some 58,000 Built Responsibility only to a loan from the school where where school the from to aloan only ownership. Residents as homeowners homeowners as Residents ownership. Haitian the by provided of land and waste management systems. management waste and supply water piped the as such assets government, the project has been has project the government, facilities such as the community community the as such facilities costs for maintaining the common the for maintaining costs house), of each cost and total the of USD payment adown contribute a home. Homeowners own currently not and disaster the homes in their of residents Gressier been to have center and other services that make make that services other center and for shared joint responsibility take of co- model on alocal developed up with the down payment thanks thanks payment down the up with up the model village. model up the pay monthly fees toward community community toward fees monthly pay lost to have earthquake, to the prior To be selected, families needed needed To families selected, be Marie said she was able to come she was said Marie

on democratic governance. There has has There governance. on democratic Caribbean nation. “Reconstruction “Reconstruction nation. Caribbean village model offers hope to hope one offers model village all the families that still remain in in remain still that families the all approach with continued support to support continued with approach with family members with disabili with members family with interventions in the country in order in country the in interventions for our area aprioritized to be has poor the in people housing in lenge national and local authorities in the the in authorities local and national female-headed households, and some some and households, female-headed run on a holistic, community-based community-based on aholistic, run to contribute to a normalized life for life to anormalized to contribute the residents’ livelihoods and a focus afocus and livelihoods residents’ the programs. education community ties. There will be 10 micro-savings be micro-savings 10 will There ties. community, there is still a huge chal ahuge still is there community, mately 900 people, many of them in in of them many people, 900 mately been strong cooperation with the with cooperation strong been unions serving 300 people. 300 serving unions project’s development. project’s services as a teacher to support the the to support ateacher as services toher offer She plans she teaches. The Gressier village model will be be will model village Gressier The The village will house approxi house will village The Lundkvist noted that while the the while noted that Lundkvist 11 61 +41/22-791 30 66 +41/22-791 [email protected] Published and distributed by: The Federation Lutheran World route de Ferney150, Box 2100 P.O. Geneva Switzerland 2, CH-1211 Tel. Fax E-mail www.lutheranworld.org - - - 1.2 billion has gone into short-term has billion 1.2 Grundstrom contributed to this feature to feature this contributed Grundstrom 7.5 billion in humanitarian aid that that aid humanitarian 7.5 in billion I have been able to find a new house house a new able to find been I have article.) Decent and Affordable Still, the model village project is a is project village model the Still, on their church’s property but a storm but astorm property church’s on their on permanent housing. About USD USD housing. About on permanent spent been has USD 215 million only of the village management commit management village of the and two children were living in atent in living were children two and went to Haiti after the earthquake, earthquake, the after went to Haiti again. I could not have afforded a afforded not have Icould again. Port-au-Prince. in teaches he where school the in room asmall in alone living been He has family. his with he added. he home. He said he is “very, very happy” happy” very he“very, is home. He said new beginning. rary shelters and cash grants for rent. grants cash and shelters rary destroyed it and they had to moveout. had they it and destroyed wife Forhis he and some time quake. to be moving to the model village. model to the moving to be his with living been he has then explained. afford,” he Icould that contribution aparticipant’s through LWF; the now without house decent together now live can family the tee to work towards a clean environ aclean to worktee towards members in the earthquake. Since Since earthquake. the in members ment,” added. he be moving into the Gressier village village Gressier into the moving be practitioner said he is very satisfied to to satisfied very he is said practitioner solutions such as tent camps, tempo tent camps, as solutions such camps,” in and housing provisional seven-year-old son in his sister’s his seven-year-old son in “I would like to become a member amember to become like would “I years, several in time “For first the The 39-year-old teacher and legal and legal The 39-year-old teacher (LWF Haiti liaison officer Marlene officer (LWF Haiti liaison It is estimated that out of the USD USD out of the that It estimated is Jean lost his home in the earth home the in his lost Jean Jimmy lost a number of family of family anumber lost Jimmy - - - -