New WorldTHE MISSION MAGAZINE OF THE Outlook UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • MARCH/APRIL 2013

the Christian response in hUManitarian aid

UMCor’s global reach

Stock # GM54000

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New Series Vol. LXXI II, No. 4; Whole Series Vol. CIII, No. 2 T h e C h r i st i a n R esponse in H u m a n i ta r i a n A i d: New World Outlook NEW WORLD OUTLOOK March/April 2013 UMCOR’s Global Reach

ISSN-0043-8812 Published bimonthly by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2013 by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. No part of New World Outlook may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Editor. Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes directly to New World Outlook, P.O. Box 395, Congers, New York 10920-0395. Subscriptions in the United States and Possessions: One year, $24.00. Single copies, $4.00. Two years, $42.00. All foreign countries: one year, $40.00. Church Subscription Program: 5 or more one-year subscriptions for $18 each. Editor—Christie R. House Art Director—Hal Sadler Designer—Christopher G. Coleman Editorial Assistant—Tylie Waters

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Cover Photo: Paul Jeffrey A woman helps construct a building to store the community’s grain, part of an UMCOR community agriculture project outside Kamina, DR Congo.

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T h e C h r i sT i a n r es p o n s e i n humaniTarian a i d: umCor’s Global reaCh

6 THE THEOLOGY OF DISASTER RELIEF AND REHABILITATION by Thomas Kemper

10 UMCOR’S GROWING IMPACT ON GLOBAL HEALTH by Shannon Trilli

12 MATERNAL AND CHILD SURVIVAL IN LIBERIA Interviews with Victor Taryor and Bakary Sidibe

14 A PARTNER IN MALAWI by Mercy Chikhosi Nyirongo

16 WATER: A SOURCE OF HEALTH AND HOPE IN NICARAGUA by Rob Bell and El Porvenir Staff

20 STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE Interviews with Genine Babakian, Alex Palacios, and Leila Nimatallah

22 IMAGINE NO MALARIA FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN BOTH SAVES AND CHANGES LIVES by Sandra Long Weaver

24 THE PHASES OF DISASTER RESPONSE FOR UMCOR Special pull-out poster

26 PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY: EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR THE LONG TERM by Melissa Crutchfi eld

30 UMCOR’S US DISASTER RESPONSE: UNTIL THE LAST PERSON IS HOME by Susan Kim

34 UMCOR FIELD OFFICES: A SIDE-BY-SIDE, INTEGRATED APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT by Christie R. House

38 A FAIR CHANCE AT LIFE by Judith Santiago

deparTmenTs

4 EXPERTISE ON A GLOBAL LEVEL by Christie R. House

5 LETTERS FROM MISSIONARIES

Nyamah Dunbar (left) of uMCor and Dr. felisberto 42 MISSION MEMO Neto monitor a distribution of mosquito nets as part of the united Methodist Church’s Imagine 43 BULLETIN INSERTS ON MISSION No Malaria campaign in Bom Jesus, angola. Bulletin inserts can be clipped out of the magazine, copied back-to-back, Photo: MIKe DuBoSe/uMNS folded, and slipped into the Sunday bulletin.

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 3 2/7/13 4:20 PM 4 From the editor eXPertiSe on A gloBAl leVel Jeremias frança, Sofi a Chissico, his issue of New World Outlook considers the work of The United Meth- and Ilda Domingos. Photo: CourteSy JereMIaS fraNÇa odist Church’s relief agency, the United Methodist Committee on Re- liefT (UMCOR). In addition to the obvious disaster relief and recovery work of the agency, UMCOR engages in health ministries, development, sustain- able agriculture, hunger and poverty reduction, and fair-trade partnerships. Graduates from Africa Throughout its work, UMCOR maintains a consistent theology and phi- University Return to Chicuque! losophy on humanitarian work while following an integrated, comprehen- a letter from missionary Jeremias sive model of health care and disaster relief. All of UMCOR’s ministries, França from its fi eld offi ces to its current work with Sandy relief and Haiti recov- n June 9, 2012, three of the ery—follow the same basic policies about who to serve, how to serve, graduates at Africa Univer- and what constitutes best practice. Humanitarian assistance that does sityO in Zimbabwe were students not train and equip benefi ciaries to eventually meet their own needs in sent by the Center of Hope, self-suffi cient ways is of little help to them in the long run. Chicuque, Mozambigue. Sofia Useful discoveries have come out of the Imagine No Malaria Cam- Chissico and another colleague, paign for UMCOR, Global Ministries, United Methodist Communications, still studying at AU, were initially and for the many United Methodist professional and volunteer health- sent for graduate degrees in nurs- care providers in Africa who are working to treat and prevent malaria in ing education in preparation for their communities. Malaria can be reduced if a community’s water supply, the upcoming Institute for Health drainage, and sanitary systems are addressed. However, malaria patients Sciences. Sofi a had another op- will not make it to a clinic for treatment if the clinic is 100 miles away and portunity to advance her educa- the only transportation is by foot, animal, or bicycle. Patients won’t recov- tion through a Masters of Public er even with medication if they are malnourished. The need to simultane- Health. She recently received the ously work on water and sanitation, access to health care, infrastructure, bishop’s appointment to join the and better agricultural methods becomes clear—and is included in strate- staff at Chicuque. gic planning to reduce malaria across the continent of Africa. It was a privilege for me to at- Addressing basic developmental challenges in conjunction with the tend the Africa University grad- work to reduce malaria also aids in reducing other deadly but preventable uation ceremony. Two more diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. In fact, any comprehen- Mozambican graduates from sive action that works to reduce poverty can only increase a community’s AU are Ilda Domingos and Jose chances of surviving these diseases or preventing their transmission al- Jamisse Gume, who were both together. That is how the United Methodist focus areas on Global Health awarded diplomas in Psychology. and Ministry With the Poor are linked in both basic and complex ways. Ilda started out in 2009 with a The story of comprehensive, integrated development work speaks for credit of one academic year, com- itself, and the logic and practical nature of this work should be apparent. pleting the program within three In the pursuit of providing excellent ministry, UMCOR has generally years and graduating with hon- rejected “quick-fi x” methods of relief. Understanding cultural differences ors. Jose Gume started out in and how to change behaviors that increase the risk of spreading disease 2008, taking the full period of requires slow, patient work. New agricultural or sanitation and hygiene four years. These two were fully methods can sometimes take years to show results. Likewise, recruiting, sponsored by the Desert Skies training, and developing a national staff can take years. Yet, the result of United Methodist Church in the this careful and thorough work is a trusted organization that has reached United States. We are so thankful many people around the world with live-saving ministries. And today, to Desert Skies UMC for such a UMCOR has become an excellent partner for larger organizations—extending great investment. its reach to millions of benefi ciaries every year. Christie R. House

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lester and Debbie Dornon. Photo: CourteSy DorNoN faMIly

Gume and Ilda have been wel- these experienced TBAs to improve the survival of mothers and babies. There comed in their communities by is still much to be done, but we are defi nintely seeing fewer deaths. The case friends and families who rejoiced is different for the commonly known “bush hospital” run by bush doctors. They over their accomplishments. The also are general practitioners whose area of expertise ranges from being an two have begun their profession- herbalist (giving out unlabeled, dried, ground foliage as medicine) to orthopedics al counseling journey at Chicuque (bone setters). Hospital and the Center of Hope. Ilda is assigned to maternity and pediat- Dr. Elma T. Jocson, a native of the Philippines, is a missionary doctor serving at Ganta ric wards in addition to counseling at United Methodist Hospital in Liberia. the AIDS Center. Jose Gume is as- signed to surgical and general medi- cine, in addition to counseling at the Asa AIDS center and the Center of Hope. a blog posting from missionaries Lester and Debbie Dornon At the AIDS Center alone, each one e fi rst heard about little Asa when our new pharmacist showed Les and of them sees between 15 to 20 pa- another doctor a photo of a young girl who had an enormous belly. Both of tients on a daily basis. theW doctors immediately suspected liver disease, but it is too hard to make a fi nal diagnosis with a photo–the girl needed to come to the hospital. Jeremias França serves the UMCOR It was Asa’s school principal who fi rst brought her to the attention of the local Global Health Program as Administra- health workers. Asa was attending the small village school, but it was very ob- tor of Chicuque Rural Hospital in his vious that something was wrong. The principal had seen that she was a bright home country of Mozambique. girl and wanted to try to help. Asa’s mother has mental health problems and her younger brother is mentally handicapped. They were all living in a shed alongside the animals they were raising to try to support themselves. Traditional Birth Attendants Through a Christian Nepali lady in Pokhara, who had to travel to the village to Save Lives convince Asa’s mother to allow her to come to the hospital, this little girl arrived in a letter from missionary Elma Jocson Tansen. When she was examined, it was happily discovered that she had a treat- n days of old, before there were able condition—and an operation was done in the hospital. The surgeons removed trained obstetricians, there were a giant congenital hepatic cyst. Asa’s uncle, a very loving and supportive man, womenI who were skilled in assist- stayed with her in the hospital during her recovery period. ing labor and delivering babies. Pres- Asa continues to heal and do well—turning back into the bright, young, healthy ently, the politically correct term girl she was meant to be! With help from the hospital charity care (thanks to those for these ladies is Traditional Birth of you who support this!) Asa and her family left with no medical debts and will Attendant (TBA). These women’s hopefully be able to have a better life in the future. expertise gained through their vast “Asa” in Nepali means “hope.” We are glad she found hope here at Tansen— experience cannot be overlooked. In and we pray that what she learned about Jesus while she was here will also con- countries where deaths of mother tinue to give her hope. and newborns are high, all help is needed. So the doctors who were Deborah Dornon is assigned as coordinator of expatriate services at the Tansen Hospital in structurally trained learned to tap western Nepal in Asia. Dr. Lester Dornon is senior physician at the Tansen Hospital.

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the theologY of Disaster Relief and Rehabilitatbyi Thomaso Knemper

an uMCor kit distribution to children in armenia. Photo: CourteSy uMCor

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hurches Shelve Theology for Disaster Relief Efforts” ran the Testament—and in Galatians 5:14, headline of a Tennessee newspaper reporting on a devastating the Apostle Paul uses “You shall love 2010 fl ood. The article focused on how churches with differ- your neighbor as yourself” to sum up “ ent ways of thinking were working together in response to the the whole of religious law. fl ood victims’ urgent needs. Yet the headline also suggested that theology Acts 11 tells the story of what Cwas absent from this disaster response. In reality, the opposite is true. As may have been the fi rst Christian col- United Methodists and as Christians, we do not “put our theology on the lection for disaster survivors. When shelf” to respond to disasters. We put our theology to work! the church in Antioch learned that Identifying with and assisting individuals and communities affected fellow believers in Judea faced fam- by disasters are ways we follow Jesus Christ—whether those disasters ine, “the disciples determined that are naturally or humanly generated. The mission theology statement of according to their ability, each would the General Board of Global Ministries makes this point clear: In God’s send relief to the believers living in mission, “Jesus poured himself out in servanthood for all humanity” and Judea.” (Acts 11:29) In the story “the church experiences and engages in God’s mission as it pours itself of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, out for others.” Jesus broadens the defi nition of a This understanding of God’s mis- “neighbor,” cutting across ethnic sion highlights the spirit of disaster The church and religious boundaries for the sake relief response necessary for post-di- of human service and dignity. saster restoration. For that reason, the experiences and United Methodist Committee on Relief engages in God’s Our Wesleyan Heritage (UMCOR) is a natural part of our denom- mission as it pours Our Methodist heritage, stemming ination’s mission agency. We follow itself out for others, from John Wesley’s ministry in 18th and fi nd Christ in disaster situations. century England, includes a strong “God’s light shines in every corner of ready to cross every concern for people in jeopardy owing the earth,” proclaims Global Ministries’ boundary to call to human-caused or natural calami- mission theology statement. “There for true human ties. Wesley saw some of the results are no places where God’s grace has dignity.... of rapid industrialization as disastrous. not always been present.” He railed against factories’ pollution Many United Methodists take part Global Ministries’ Theology of the air, water, and soil, and he start- in UMCOR’s disaster relief ministries of Mission Statement ed small enterprise programs to res- through offerings made during UMCOR’s cue at least some women and chil- One Great Hour of Sharing or by contributing funds through emergency dren from the mills. channels of the Advance. A small yet signifi cant number of church members Wesley’s ministry extended to volunteer for cleanup and rebuilding after hurricanes, tornadoes, fl oods, or those sick from all causes, including sometimes even armed combat. Whatever form it takes, Christian humani- industrial contamination. Medicine tarian relief is a deep affi rmation of theological conviction. was not highly developed in his time. Germs and microbes had not Biblical Roots been identifi ed, and existing health Concern for those in distress after a calamity is rooted in both the Old and services were largely limited to the New Testaments. As Rabbi Myrna Matsa observes: “The people of God ac- wealthy. Despite the many demands cept in perpetuity the message of Leviticus 19:2: ‘You shall be holy because on his time, Wesley compiled the I the Lord your God am holy’ and holiness means to nurture the earth, care for best available medical information, humanity, and leave the world in a better condition than the way we found it.” including home remedies, in a book (“Jewish Theology of Disaster Response and Recovery,” http://www.najc. entitled Primitive Physick. Every org/pdf/h_Theology_of_Disaster_Response_and_Recovery.pdf) Methodist preacher making rounds Jesus was steeped in the Jewish tradition of holiness and instructed on horseback in England was ex- in the care of humanity. Matthew 25 spells out the obligation Jesus’ fol- pected to carry this handbook in his lowers have for those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, unclothed, or in pris- saddle bag. The book became the on. In the Great Commandment, Jesus tells us to love and care for our best-selling practical manual of 18th neighbors as we care for ourselves—an admonition also from the Old century England.

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This powerful Wesleyan tradition divine favor to those being assisted. converting others either to Christianity of concern for the vulnerable was at To follow Jesus in servanthood to oth- or to Methodism. Such a goal would work in 1940, at the onset of World ers is to be baptized in humility. We miss the point of God’s grace which War II, when US Methodists first set seek to be both confident and mod- is offered in freedom. To us, disas- up what is today UMCOR. Its found- est, asking not how our action makes ters are opportunities for service, in- ing was triggered in part by memories us look, but how putting our faith into viting us to our highest levels of com- of the horrendous effects of World action contributes to human welfare, passion and concern. The theology of War I on civilian populations. Bishop peace, justice, and reconciliation. presence requires few words. Herbert Welch conceived the idea As the embodiment of Unit- We also take a broad view of part- as a loving response to a world of ed Methodist disaster response, nerships in disaster relief and rebuild- violence. God’s grace equips us for UMCOR offers services and pres- ing. In the continuing response to this obligation. Our mission theology ence without regard to religion, race, the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, teaches that “We acknowledge the nationality, politics, or gender. It re- UMCOR works with Methodist or ec- grace of God placed in our hearts and sponds to small as well as large, well- umenical partners not only from the at work in the world before any action publicized disasters. John Wesley ad- Caribbean and Latin America but also on our part.” monished Methodists to do as much from Canada and the United Kingdom. good and as little harm as possible in We also cooperate with nonprofit agen- Humility and Confidence the world. Those are guiding precepts cies not affiliated with the church. In Another Wesleyan theological theme in our response to disaster. the aftermath of the devastating 2004 addresses the attitude of the respond- tsunami in Southeast Asia, we worked ers in disaster relief and subsequent An Expression of Faith with other Christian, nondenomina- rehabilitation. John Wesley built into The church’s disaster response is an tional, and Muslim organizations. Methodism the conviction that all expression of our faith, a confirma- UMCOR has long-term plans for people need the grace of God to be tion of our discipleship, and a wit- response to the March 2011 earth- redeemed. This has special applica- ness to our love for our neighbors. As quake and tsunami in Japan. It dam- tion for church members who set out United Methodists, we do not distrib- aged a nuclear power plant, adding to do “good works.” It is a reminder ute food, water, blankets, flood buck- radiation pollution to the damage that the helpers—the funders and the ets, and health kits or rebuild shel- from quakes and floods. UMCOR’s cleanup teams—are not superior in ters and schools with the objective of response entails collaboration with Japanese Christians, putting par- ticular emphasis on work with economically marginalized ethnic communities and on issues such as agricultural production where nucle- ar contamination exists.

Preserving and Restoring Working with others, including other religious groups and government en- tities, serves a theological objective: to recognize the fullness—the whole- ness—of God’s created order and to collaborate with others in the restora- tion and preservation of all creation, including human families and com- munities. The focus is often on “the least of these” from Matthew 25, be- Fishermen in Dickwalla, on Sri L anka’s southern coast, where the National Christian Council cause the weakest are hardest hit by of Sri Lanka, with support from ACT International, has been involved in providing tsunami- affected families with boats and a new start in life. UMCOR is a member of ACT. natural and human-caused disasters. Photo: Paul Jeffrey The poor and elderly characteristically

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on their feet eco- humanitarian implications. For many nomically and so- years, the question existed without di- cially. Sometimes rect response. It was put on the agen- a new start can da of the UMCOR directors in 2008. take place in the The next year, a policy was adopted area affected by providing that up to 10 percent of the the disaster, but emergency funds raised for any par- sometimes people ticular US relief effort could be used have to start over for church repair and related needs. in a new place. In 2010, the UMCOR board fur- UMCOR received ther stipulated that up to 10 percent major public con- of funds raised for international di- tracts in case man- saster relief might be used for “re- agement following pair of places of worship and related Hurricane Katrina, needs.” This decision equalized do- Noline Jean harvests spinach in La Tremblay, Haiti, which devastated mestic and international policy. In where UMCOR is working with earthquake survivors large areas of the keeping with the nonsectarian nature to improve their agricultural production. US Gulf Coast in of UMCOR, it takes account of the re- Photo: Paul Jeffrey 2005. Much of the ality that community restoration may response was in include restoration of a place of wor- have the least substantial housing collaboration with mission volunteer ship of some other faith. Requests for and are the most vulnerable regarding teams, as is always the case after di- domestic or international grants for immediate post-disaster needs and sasters in the United States. work on places of worship are made long-term rehabilitation. Methodists Every annual conference in the independently of requests for money have always been strongly commit- United States has trained disaster-re- for humanitarian aid, but they follow ted to ministry with the poor. sponse teams. Equi pping such teams the same process of accountability Restoration of housing, social in- is a matter of both practical and theo- and careful review. stitutions, and the means of making logical necessity. As in the parable of a living are long-term post-disaster the wedding guests in Matthew 25:1- God at Work Through Us tasks. UMCOR is well known as an 13—in which the bridesmaids need God is at work everywhere, all the agency that arrives early and stays to carry extra oil for the lamps used time. So in God’s mission, we seek the longest through disaster recov- to welcome the wedding party—we to serve others in humility and con- ery. Our work in response to the pro- must be ready when God invites us fidence. We know that everyone longed war in Bosnia lasted for years to respond to human need. The mes- needs—and has access to—God’s after hostilities ceased, covering a sage is to “be alert,” and that requires grace. In disaster response, we know full decade and involving the restora- training in disaster response. there is no perfect humanitarian solu- tion of farms. Work in Armenia and tion. We simply do our best, praying Georgia has now extended for two Places of Worship for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we decades. Job training and the rebuild- A question that often arises is put our theology to work in action— ing of homes, schools, and other in- whether UMCOR engages in the re- doing as much good as we can. frastructure in Haiti is ongoing, car- placement or repair of churches de- ried out in close collaboration with stroyed or damaged in disasters— Thomas Kemper is General Secretary of local communities and the Haitian an issue with both theological and the General Board of Global Ministries. Methodist Church (Église Méthodiste d’Haiti). One objective is to provide The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a separately job training of value to individuals and incorporated humanitarian unit of the United Methodist General families in the years ahead. Board of Global Ministries. It has its own board of directors, elected UMCOR is especially skilled in by directors of the parent agency, and incorporates international and post-disaster case management, a domestic disaster relief, health ministries, and development programs. process that helps people get back

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UMCOR Global Health Program Development UMCOR’s Growing Impact on Global Health by Shannon Trilli

ince 2008, The United Methodist S Church has made significant ad- Shannon Trilli of UMCOR greets South vances in the area of Global Health. African singer and That year, the church defined its Four malaria ambassador Areas of Focus and gave birth to the Yvonne Chaka Chaka Imagine No Malaria (INM) initiative. (holding bouquet) upon Church leaders chose malaria as a her arrival at the airport lens through which to view health is- in Lubumbashi, DR sues around the world holistically in Congo, for a mosquito net distribution in order to develop a strategic response. Lubumbashi, World It was then that I joined the United Malaria Day, 2010. Methodist Committee on Relief Photo: Mike DuBose/ (UMCOR), first as the director of the UMNS Malaria Initiative and more recently as director of Global Health. Meeting challenges also impacted proposal writing, and financial man- Malaria is not endemic in all parts the way INM, UMCOR, and the United agement before INM funds could be of the world, but it is widespread, Methodist health networks in Africa disbursed. We also faced a significant preying especially on children and formed partnerships. As part of INM, technical challenge in proving the im- pregnant women. It can kill—yet is the church has partnered with high-lev- pact of our action programs—showing preventable. So it was a good starting el international partners as well as with that our distribution of mosquito nets, point in the development of a com- resource-poor communities. Working provision of anti-malarial medicines, prehensive global health strategy. together, we channeled our energy and training of community health While devising programs to com- into capacity building in African com- aides were, together, decreasing the bat malaria, The United Methodist munities, building systems to monitor incidence of malaria and saving lives. Church was able to respond effec- and evaluate our program. To provide proof, we had to develop tively to an urgent call for help com- Specifically, we entered into part- monitoring and evaluation systems— ing from Africa as articulated by the nership with the United Nations extending from UMCOR and INM to African episcopal leaders of the UMC. Foundation, joining global efforts the community level at which INM To meet the challenges we faced, against malaria and raising our level programs are implemented. UMCOR assessed the capacity of of accountability for use of funds and the United Methodist health system levels of programmatic impact. Then, Early Successes in a host of African countries. As a re- since most of our health teams in For the past five years, UMCOR— sult, we not only saved lives, we laid Africa had little experience with in- working in Africa with and through a foundation of learning to strengthen stitutional donors, we needed to de- Imagine No Malaria—has made im- our health ministry worldwide. velop their skills in strategic planning, portant strides both in the fight against

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malaria and in building local The United Methodist capacity and infrastructure to Church. We will partner confront a whole spectrum of with other church agen- health issues and needs. cies, US congregations, Undergirding these suc- and annual conferences, cesses, UMCOR helped an- as well as with founda- nual conferences in Africa tions and other humani- organize 12 health boards im- tarian organizations. pacting 16 African countries. According to the Unit- The health board members ed Nations Millennium have worked with UMCOR Development Report, in developing administrative 2012, “For the first time skills. They have been trained since records on poverty in governance, ownership, ca- began, the number of pacity building, and sustainabil- people living in extreme ity. Health boards were spe- A child is weighed and measured for a wellness program at the poverty has fallen in United Methodisit Shungu Memorial Health Center in Kamina, cifically sanctioned to apply every developing region, DR Congo. Photo: Paul Jeffrey for INM funds. They have be- including sub-Saharan come centers of accountability Africa” (http://www.un.org/ for each conference, making them reli- • Build on UMCOR’s experience en/development/desa/publications/ able partners for donors, large or small. with INM to encompass broader mdg-report-2012.html). There are Building up highly capable, self- maternal and child survival issues fewer urban slum dwellers in the governing health boards has signifi- and programs. This would include world, and access to potable drink- cance beyond INM. The boards are issues of hunger and nutrition, ing water has reached an additional able to envision the global health safe birthing initiatives, immu- 2 billion people since 1990. Malaria needs of an entire annual confer- nizations, and access to potable and tuberculosis transmission and ence and find ways to meet those water in developing countries death rates are declining, and more needs. Health boards establish plans, around the world. It would also people than ever who live with HIV promote partnerships, develop and addressing chronic health issues and AIDS have access to treat- implement policies, and encourage such as malnutrition, obesity, ment. United Methodists are mak- excellence in the delivery of both pre- heart disease, and cancer—perils ing substantial contributions to ventive and curative health care. that also plague communities in these advances. Through INM and health boards the United States. Yet despite global gains, there in various African countries, UMCOR • Continue to strengthen the capac- are still reasons for concern. More has also trained and mobilized more ity of our partners in Africa and ex- than 15.5 percent of the world’s than 5,400 community health agents pand those efforts to other parts population—especially children in who provide their communities with of the world. A meaningful focus Southern Asia and Africa—are un- information about health issues and on data and the impact of UMCOR dernourished. More than 780 million introduce changes for healthier living. programs linked to capacity build- people around the world lack ac- Approximately $32.9 million in cash, ing will help us strengthen those cess to clean water. And while ma- pledges and annual conference goals programs by showing us what ternal mortality rates are improving, has been raised for the Imagine No works and what does not. the pace of change remains slow. A Malaria initiative, and INM has distri­ • Extend UMCOR’s focus on water— great deal more remains to be done buted approximately 1.2 million mos- a major health and development to make our world a healthier place. quito nets in seven African countries. issue for the next century. We will focus on extending access to Shannon Trilli serves as the director Future Goals clean, safe water and help commu- of Global Health for UMCOR. Prior to As UMCOR’s director of Global Health nities maintain safe water sources. her current assignment, she oversaw Initiatives, I have proposed four pri- • Maintain and expand strategic part- UMCOR’s participation in the Imagine mary strategies for moving ahead. nerships, both within and outside No Malaria campaign.

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UMCOR Global Health Family Care Maternal and Child Survival in Liberia

Interviews with Victor new for us. These are all things we early 2000s. A decade later, the mis- Taryor, missionary, Ganta had done before.” sion station and the hospital have United Methodist Hospital Unfortunately, civil strife in Liberia rebounded again. In fact, the Ganta administrator, and Bakary in the 1990s took its toll on the Ganta United Methodist Hospital is planning Sidibe, senior program facilities. The hospital suffered heavy a major construction project to build manager for Curamericas, damages, sustaining great losses in new facilities, seeking to meet the Liberia supplies, equipment, and personnel. needs of 600,000 people in its catch- United Methodists in Liberia—assist- ment area. n building capacity in target- ed by their counterparts in the wider UMCOR encouraged Ganta Hos- ed African countries for Imag- global connection—began to rebuild pital to apply for a program funded by Iine No Malaria programs in local the Ganta facilities, only to have them USAID through Curamericas, a non- communities, many valuable les- hit again in resurgent fighting in the profit organization that concentrates sons have been learned. These les- sons are transferrable in delivering other kinds of health care and dis- ease prevention measures to those same communities. In some plac- es in Africa, in fact, United Meth- odists have been working through their health institutions for decades to bring community-based primary health care to the local level. Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Nimba County, Liberia, is one such place. Victor Taryor, a United Methodist missionary, serves as the administrator for the hospital, which is part of the larger Ganta United Methodist Mission Station. “We started our community health programs in 1987,” Taryor explains. “The training of community health workers is not something strange to us,” he continues, “since we already Care for Pregnant Women is one of Curamericas’ priorities in the Nehnwaa Child Survival Project, a partnership with Ganta UMC Hospital in Ganta, Liberia. had a structure in place. Doing safe Photo: Courtesy Curamericas water and sanitation work was not

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HIV/AIDS, the water supply, and im- munizations are all considered part of mother and child health. The program Bishop John Innis, Irene Innis, UMC missionary “brings together a social science as- Victor Taryor, and the staff pect and a primary public health as- of Ganta Hospital in Nimba pect,” Sidibe points out, in which County, Liberia, following “each aspect complements the other chapel service. to serve people in the community ef- Photo: James Rollins/ UMCOR fectively.” Explaining how the cen- sus-based program reduces malaria, Sidibe notes that the core group vol- unteers are able to address problems on mother and child health. The including knowledge of who is sick at on a family level, making sure each Nehnwaa Child Survival Project, now any given time and of what environ- mother has mosquito nets for herself in its fifth and final year of opera- mental factors might be contributing and her children and that she knows tion, has been working in collabora- to the problem. Community Health how to use them properly. If she and tion with the Ganta United Method- Workers (volunteers) are provided her children are sick, they can be test- ist Hospital to reduce child mortality with cellphones so that they can call ed for malaria and receive treatment. by 60 percent. This is done through and ask the hospital to send a vehicle If the mother is not using the nets, community-based programs that ad- in case of emergencies. the volunteers seek to find out why. dress the principal causes of death Community Health Workers are The goal is to change the behavior of among mothers and children—ob- assisted by Care Group Volunteers. the whole family so that children are stetric complications, neonatal condi- These volunteers check on the health raised to understand the foundations tions, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, of 5 to15 families in their community. of public health. Then they can seek measles, and HIV infection. Accord- They visit the households in their care, to ensure public health in their com- ing to Bakary Sidibe, senior program check up on the health of individuals munities as they grow up and start manager for Curamericas in Libe- and families, and make sure that pre- families of their own. ria, the organization uses a census- scribed treatments are being followed. Victor Taryor encourages United based, impact-oriented (CBIO) meth- In a census-based approach, everyone Methodists across the connection odology that reaches every person in in the community is signed into a reg- to come and see the health work the community. ister maintained by the Community in Ganta. “Some may feel that the In a census-based service deliv- Health Worker, who gathers infor- money people spend to come from the ery program, community volunteer mation from the midwives on births United States to visit could be better health workers are a key factor in the and deaths and from the Care Group spent if they just sent the money and program’s success. The Nehnwaa Volunteers on illness in the community. stayed home,” he admits. “I can see program actually has several levels Taryor notes that this very thor- the logic of that. However, when peo- of volunteer health workers, Taryor ough approach is highly time-con- ple come, they become inspired when explains. There are traditional mid- suming. He is a little concerned about they see what we are doing, and they wives, trained by the hospital, who how to sustain the project when the may want to be part of the service that educate village women about wom- Nehnwaa funding ends. But caregiv- the church provides to the community. en’s health issues and childbirth. er networks are now up and running There are so many different ways to They urge local women to give birth in the communities, and the careful serve that a visitor will easily find one in the hospital if they can get there notes in the registry show a great that is personally heart-moving. Also, in time. Otherwise, the well-trained decrease in child deaths where the when visitors come and see our chal- and well-equipped midwives deliv- program is in operation. In fact, the lenges, they can go back as good-will er the babies. Each community or Nehnwaa program is on target with ambassadors for our work.” village has one Community Health Curamericas goals of 60 percent re- Worker who has been trained for duction in child mortality. These interviews were conducted by the position. This person oversees Because of the Nehnwaa pro- Christie R. House, editor, New World health concerns in the community, gram’s integrated approach, malaria, Outlook.

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UMCOR Global Health Building Capacity A Partner in Malawi by Mercy Chikhosi Nyirongo

ver since I was a child, I want- My studies helped me realize the programs, the Health Board assists ed to be a nurse. Public hos- need to emphasize patients’ rights in my office in proposal writing and stra- pitalsE here in Malawi are free, but nursing schools. Having nurses un- tegic planning. It develops policies they have a severe shortage of derstand these rights from the be- and makes decisions concerning the staff. I wanted to be part of the ginning is a way to change the image church’s vision, mission, and health solution. So, when I finished my that people in Malawi have toward strategies. We now work together basic nursing and midwifery train- the nursing profession. as a team for effective governance of ing, I worked for three years in one the health department. of Malawi’s public hospitals. Giving Back Governance is fundamental to the There, I observed a very big ser- The only way I had of saying “thank success of our programs. The Heath vice gap between the rich and you” to the church for my scholarship Board established a plan for quality the poor. Hospital personnel han- was to give something back. So when and monitors its implementation. The dled people differently depending the post of Health Coordinator for the board has also established financial on their socioeconomic status. To Malawi United Methodist Church controls to ensure that funds are pru- change this practice, I would have (MUMC) was created, I applied. At dently managed. to be in a managerial post. So, sup- first, I was doing much of the work of Our health teams use goal-based ported by a scholarship from The this office by myself. Then, last year evaluation to track the results of United Methodist Church, I earned a (2012), the Malawi UMC developed our health programs. To ensure that Bachelor of Science degree in nurs- a new Health Board. In addition to goals have been met, we use the ing from Africa University. overseeing all of the church’s health Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound “SMART” tar- gets. If set goals have not been met, new plans are developed. The health teams report to the Connectional Ministries office in Malawi and to the Zimbabwe (UMC) Health Board, because Malawi is part of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. My vision is to see a well-trained Health Board that knows what is ex- pected from its members and what they can expect from others. If board members are well-chosen, under- stand their roles and responsibili- ties, and develop a proper structure, I believe the Health Board can meet The Malawi UMC, in partnership with the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas (USA), enabled this economic empowerment training in December 2012. future challenges and keep health Photo: Susan Campbell care on track for the good of our communities.

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Help From Our Friends for whom the nutrition program pro- The Malawi UMC has also re- The Health Board in Malawi works vides one meal per day. ceived funds from Germany World with the United Methodist Church The Church of the Resurrection Mission to support nutrition clinics of the Resurrection in Kansas, which also focuses on malaria prevention, and currently has a proposal under funds most of the church’s current targeting orphans in an orphan-em- review with UMCOR for Imagine No health programs. They include pro- powerment program. It supports Malaria program funds. grams on health and nutrition, water the training of community health Malawi’s health programs are all and sanitation, and early childhood workers and the integration of evan- preventive and community-based. development. These programs are gelism and health programs at a If more churches could find ways community-oriented and focus most- community level. to support us in the construction of clinics, we might focus on curative care as well. Having mobile clinics is (From left) Mercy another wish. We could visit very re- Nyirongo, Malawi; Hannah mote areas where people are dying Mafunda, Zimbabwe; and because of preventable and curable Marie-Therese Nijimbere, conditions. They simply do not have Burundi, listen as experts access to health care. Poverty, poor in grant writing teach health board members roads, and great distances are some during the Pan African of the contributing factors. Health Board Summit, August 2012, Accra, The Benefits of Connection Ghana. The global United Methodist con- Photo: Kathy L. Gilbert/ UMNS nection has improved the social and economic status of communities in Malawi. It has helped our women In addition to the support of to know their value. It has helped Kansas’s Resurrection UMC, a us break the cycle of discrimination Kansas-based foundation called One5 based on gender, religious affiliation, is sponsoring the construction of the or socioeconomic status. Being con- first United Methodist health-care nected to the global UMC helps us to facility in Blantyre, Malawi. This oc- reduce the oppression of the poorest curred immediately after the Malawi members of society. UMC formed its Health Board. The Our connection could be One5 Foundation’s goal is to build strengthened, allowing more health-care facilities and capacity in church-to-church partnerships, but developing countries. There are only only if there is a clear understand- In the village of Katondo, Malawi, two doctors per 100,000 people in ing of partnership on both sides. The women wait in the hot sun to draw Malawi. With only a handful of medi- church in Malawi does not seek to water. Sometimes they wait overnight cal facilities in Blantyre, there is great be a receiver only, but also a contrib- just to be first in line for water. need for more facilities and training. utor to the global ministries of the Photo: Susan Campbell For more than 10 years, the leaders church. We have already worked of The United Methodist Church in hard to develop our human capac- ly on preventive care. For example, Malawi have wanted to build a clinic ity. If there are ways for us to im- as part of the nutrition program, we to serve their community. “We have prove access to new technologies in plant Moringa trees. Moringa leaves been praying for something like this Malawi, we welcome suggestions are edible and are packed with vita- since 1999,” said the Rev. Daniel and conversation. mins and protein. They have a lot of Mhone, superintendent of the Malawi health benefits for our population, in- UMC. “We are all overwhelmed by Mercy Chikhosi Nyirongo serves as the cluding prevention of malnutrition, how God will use this partnership to Conference Health Coordinator for the especially in children under age five, serve the people in Blantyre.” Malawi United Methodist Church.

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UMCOR Global Health Clean Water Water: A Source of Health and Hope in Nicaragua by Rob Bell and El Porvenir Staff

he Hernández family lives in T a one‐room brick home in La Pita, Nicaragua. The house has a In Nicaragua, many women tile roof and dirt floor. It’s simple, and children still have to yet clean. In partnership with El walk long distances to Porvenir, the Hernández family and retrieve water for their other members of their communi- families’ daily use. ty now have water taps just out- Photo: Forest Woodward side their doors and latrines behind their homes. Victoria Hernández Díaz can tell you how she used to walk two ki- raised for food. The people knew Hernández said, “because I had lometers every day to get water little about healthy hygiene, so their to carry water from far away—one from a creek—waiting in long lines constant illnesses led to extra family bucket on my head and one on my to draw the water once she got expense: going to the doctor, buying hip. We didn’t have a latrine. We there. The Hernández family didn’t medicine, missing work. drank dirty water. We carried it long have a latrine; their latrine was the Many women carried all the distances.” she recalled. outdoors. This practice, followed by water they needed (40 liters a day) Continuing her story, Victoria all the members of their communi- in one trip to and from the creek. added, “Drought affected us as well. ty, contaminated the environment. Carrying this heavy load of water The creek where we all went for It led to illness—parasites and di- when already debilitated by diar- water dried up. That meant we had to arrhea—not only in the people but rhea was just too much for them. drink water from the stream where also in the animals that the people “I had two miscarriages,” Victoria the horses that had skin disease

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in their communities. El Porvenir has been working in Nicaragua toward this goal for 23 years. “Clean water for Nicaragua” is our slogan. El Porvenir works on both water A girl obtains water and sanitation—because sanitation by digging into a goes hand-in-hand with water. Water, riverbed near Santa Paula, a hot and Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are isolated village at the core of our programs. Our in northwestern water work concentrates on building Nicaragua. gravity-fed water systems, digging Photo: Paul Jeffrey wells, and teaching communities how to test their water. Sanitation includes building latrines and wash stations, in both the community and individual homes. Hygiene is the health educa- tion aspect of El Porvenir’s work, in Today the families of La Pita have which we teach people how to re- clean water right outside their front duce water- and sanitation-related ill- doors. Walking only a few steps, they ness through good hygiene practices. can get as much safe water as they But we also engage in watershed pro- need. Family members can visit the la- tection, working to protect the water trine in their backyard whenever they sources that our organization helps need to. The families have also learned communities to build. when and why they need to wash their hands. So they are healthier. Woman and Child Benefits Having more time, now that As Victoria Hernández’ story shows, she doesn’t have to walk back and the introduction of clean water re- forth to the creek for water, Victoria sources into a community directly Hernández opened a small store in affects the women and children. Of her home. There, she sells rice, sugar, course, the health of the whole family snacks, and her own baked bread. is improved, but the women and chil- Her children have been able to at- dren gain more time as well. There is tend school more regularly and they time for children to go to school and do better with their studies. Her hus- time for women to return to school band works as a day laborer on private and even to seek higher education if farms and also has his own small farm they wish. We’ve seen many cases of plot. The family now earns $6 per this happening. Some of the women day—much higher than the $1 to $2 also get involved in our hygiene edu- average for most rural Nicaraguans. cation. El Porvenir uses a “train the An El Porvenir water project, Nicaragua. El trainer” model in which our health ed- Porvenir means “the future” in Spanish. ucators (60% of whom are women) Photo: Jon Polka Water Resources El Porvenir means “the future” in identify and prepare local hygiene and Spanish. A bright future for Nicaragua health promoters from the communi- went into the water. Many children is one in which all people have fresh, ty to reinforce hygiene training on an got sick during that time, and some safe drinking water and sanitary la- ongoing basis. We have a standard 10 of them died. The children couldn’t trines nearby. It’s a future in which they rules for latrine use that everyone is go to class because they had to help know the hazards of dirty water, how encouraged to learn and follow. carry the water. It took so long that to avoid waterborne diseases, and We also broadcast health and they missed school.” how to maintain clean-water systems hygiene information on local radio

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stations to reinforce health learn- important because these communi- communities. It also allows the local ing and to reach a larger audience. ties need to be empowered. A big people to gain some insight into the El Porvenir’s health educators work component of our program is the mindset of people who come from a with elementary schools to teach “sweat equity” through which local different context. Nicaraguan com- children hygiene and environmen- communities build their own proj- munity members really appreciate tal awareness. We provide coloring ects. Community members dig their visiting groups. They enjoy fellowship books with topics such as forest con- own wells, dig their own latrines, lay with them and usually throw a party servation and proper hand washing. the bricks—all the labor or “sweat for them at the end of their stay. Then We find that if we teach the children, equity” for the project. They take the groups return home and tell oth- their parents also learn and are like- ownership of these projects, putting ers about water projects and ways to ly to put the guidelines into practice in a lot of time, effort, and money. support them. much sooner. The community contributes a mini- mum of 5 to 10 percent of the proj- Protecting Water Resources Clean Water Partnerships ect material costs—and some com- Once a community has a clean water El Porvenir has a number of church munities contribute up to 30 percent. source and adequate sanitation facili- partners working with its proj- That includes the cost of whatever ties and its people have learned better ects in Nicaragua. Volunteer teams materials or other valuable resourc- hygiene practices, there is still anoth- from churches in the United States es the community members contrib- er step to take to ensure the proper come from a variety of denomina- ute beyond their labor. Also, the local maintenance of water projects. El tions, though United Methodist and municipal government contributes Porvenir’s hygiene education program Episcopal teams are more frequent an additional 10 to 15 percent of ma- includes an environmental compo- than others. UMCOR has partnered terial costs. nent—sustainability. We are currently with El Porvenir to provide small We do encourage outside groups modifying our community educational grants for specific water projects. to come and visit, however, because training to include watershed protec- But the main source of funding from that gives local community members tion. We’ve been doing different as- United Methodists comes from indi- an opportunity to work side-by-side pects of watershed protection, such viduals and churches who give any- with a group from the United States, as reforestation, for 12 to 14 years; where from $20,000 to $40,000 a year or Canada, or Europe. It’s an oppor- but earlier, we hadn’t focused on wa- to the project through the Advance. tunity for mutual learning, as other tershed protection specifically. While partnership is important and nationalities gain an understand- As a pilot project, El Porvenir has financial aid is always needed, in re- ing of how things work in Nicaragua chosen a watershed site to reha- ality, Nicaraguan communities don’t and what it’s like to live in our bilitate so as to make it a model for need physical assistance to build their water proj- ects. El Porvenir part- ners with communities to build—with or with- out outside group in- volvement—and most of the community proj- ects are done without outside help. That’s also

A community member speaks up at a community meeting on water safety and hygiene in Dario, Nicaragua. Photo: Forest Woodward

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V ictoria Hernández Diaz in La Pita, Nicaragua, in her yard (left), and at her new wash basin station. Photo: Courtesy El Porvenir

devised a way to main- tain the water system by collecting a small fee from community resi- dents. Victoria was elect- ed to be the treasurer of that committee. She col- other communities. Creating a model help to fund the projects. So with the lects the payments, deposits them, site calls for going beyond a well and watershed site, we’re going to work does the accounting, and reports on latrines and planting a few trees. It more closely with the mayors and the fund to the committee. may involve getting the owners of other municipal leaders. They can Hernández has gained more than the land that forms a community’s help convince the landowners to do clean water and good health for her watershed to change their agricultur- things in a different way. Since the family. She has gained pride, new al practices. In general, agricultural watershed pilot project we’re plan- skills, and new purpose. “I like to go matters are not our area of expertise. ning is the source of water for the to the El Porvenir meetings,” she In this particular case, however, three whole town, it’s definitely in every- says, “and share with my family and or four large landowners own most of one’s interest to cooperate. neighbors the things we can do to the land in the area, which is not ac- better our lives and be healthier. If tually a full watershed but is what is Health for All we do things well, we are going to called a micro-watershed. The larger, Along with the other women in her be well. My dreams are to have a full watershed covers five or six mu- community, Victoria Hernández Díaz clean and united community—one nicipalities and is beyond our scope. now has time to take care of her without sickness and with strong re- So, we’re looking at only the micro- family and her store. To maintain lationships with my family and our watershed. It’s small but not minor, their water system, the La Pita resi- neighbors.” being the water source for the whole dents created a Water and Sanitation town. So it will have a high impact. Committee, which meets occasion- Rob Bell is the executive director for In Nicaragua, it’s not unusual for ally with staff from El Porvenir to dis- El Porvenir in Managua, Nicaragua. farmers to burn the land before plant- cuss water, sanitation, and hygiene Visit the El Porvenir website at www. ing. Even when the land is relatively in the community. This committee elporvenir.org . clear of vegetation, the farmers will burn it again to prepare for planting the following year. They call this prac- United Methodist Support tice “traditional planting,” although it has been the practice for only about for El Porvenir 100 years. While it’s not a longstand- United Methodists can support El Porvenir through the Advance by ing indigenous tradition, it is hard for donating to “Clean Water, Healthy Nicaraguans,” Advance #525000. them to break this habit. El Porvenir has a strong partner- For more information on sending a volunteer team to Nicaragua to ship with the local municipal govern- work with El Porvenir communities, visit the work team page on El ments of the communities in which Porvenir’s website: http://elporvenir.org/page/work-trips . it works. These governments also

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UMCOR Global Health Partnerships Strategic Partnerships for Growth and Service

Interviews with: Genine and sanitation, nutrition, education, Babakian—Civil Society and emergency relief for children in Partnerships, US Fund 190 countries and territories. The for UNICEF US Fund supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and Alex Palacios—GAVI Alliance education in the United States. In Special Representative to 2012, the US Fund expended near- Donors and Institutions in ly $450 million in grants to partner the United Nations’ system, organizations (US Fund for UNICEF Washington, D.C. 2012 Report). Grants went to fund programs of government, civil so- Leila Nimatallah—GAVI ciety, and faith-based organizations consultant on Faith- (FBOs). Based Organizations and Genine Babakian, who works in Relationships, Advocacy Civil Society Partnerships for the and Public Policy Team US Fund for UNICEF, explains why UNICEF invests in FBOs represent- lobal partnerships can pro- ing many different religions. “Nearly vide funding, materials, and United Methodist registrants arrive for every major religious tradition views otherG resources to United Meth- the Imagine No Malaria conference in life as a sacred gift from a divine cre- odist mission ministries, but more Washington, DC, December 3, 2012. ator or creating force,” she observes. Photo: Jay Mallin/ UMNS importantly, partnerships link the “Promoting and maintaining good grassroots served by the church health in children is both a universal to a larger global community. “For help us to raise our voices and rep- priority and an obligation in many re- UMCOR, the most important value resent people we serve in concert ligious traditions.” Babakian points of global partnerships is that they with organizations with high visibil- out that UNICEF partners with both provide critical links for United ity and larger, excellent programs.” FBOs and local and national govern- Methodists in communities they New World Outlook asked a few ments, each with different strengths. serve to a larger global health strat- of these partners what they receive “Religious actors have deep egy,” explains Shannon Trilli, di- from faith-based organizations in and trusted relationships with their rector of UMCOR’s Global Health return. communities and strong connec- Initiatives. “Our efforts are syner- tions with society’s most disadvan- gized and multiplied when we work US Fund for UNICEF taged and vulnerable members,” together and share a larger vision The United Nations Children’s Fund Babakian continues. “They are par- on how to combat issues of pov- (UNICEF) seeks to provide health ticularly well placed to address ineq- erty and health. Partnerships also care, immunizations, clean water uity that affects access to services or

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fuels discrimination and deprivation. Ethiopia, UNICEF partnered with the government organizations—based on They protect the rights of the most Ethiopian Orthodox Church so that, applications for vaccines in 58 of the disenfranchised. when children were baptized, the world’s poorest developing coun- “With religious communities church would encourage their care- tries—Alex Palacios, GAVI Alliance counting almost 5 billion members,” takers to complete the vaccination Special Representative to Donors she adds, “their potential for action schedule within the child’s first year. and Institutions, says there is a is great. From the smallest village to In the Democratic Republic of the small window for financing civil so- the largest city, and from local to na- Congo, UNICEF is working with the ciety organizations, including FBOs. tional and international levels, they country’s five major religious groups, “We seek to address circumstances offer various networks for the care including The United Methodist where national ministries of health and protection of children and the Church, to address child survival. The lack the infrastructure to reach sig- safeguarding of children’s rights.” five groups were strategically select- nificant portions of the population,” When exploring opportunities to ed based on their representation of Palacios explains. Where govern- work with faith-based groups, UNICEF the majority of the Congolese people ments cannot go, faith communities considers not only mutual interests and their capacity to promote behav- are already present. but complementary strengths that ioral and social change. “Together,” “The strategy of the United each organization brings to the part- Babakian says, “their networks have Methodist Church—to train local nership. “Faith-based groups often the potential to reach more than half health workers—is critical to the suc- have the broad reach and authority of the DR Congo’s estimated 65 mil- cess of programs like ours,” Palacios to educate their parishioners and en- lion people.” continues, referring to vaccination courage positive behavioral change,” introduction programs and public she notes. UNICEF offers technical GAVI Alliance health interventions. “Local faith- support and capacity-building for reli- The GAVI Alliance (formerly the based health workers ensure that gious leaders seeking to address cer- Global Alliance for Vaccines and communities have a well-prepared tain issues within their communities. Immunization) is a public/private glob- health workforce,” he adds, “one UNICEF has a long history of work- al health organization committed to that can be found in areas where gov- ing with religious communities across saving children’s lives and protecting ernments do not have services.” the globe to reach children with life- people’s health by increasing access Faith-based organizations also saving services. During the Civil to immunization in poor countries. excel in their ability to mobilize War in El Salvador, for example, the Leila Nimatallah, a consultant with large groups in the United States Catholic Church negotiated a cease- GAVI on Faith-Based Organizations to advocate around specific issues. fire to allow UNICEF to immunize chil- and Relationships, sees FBOs as Nimatallah—who has also worked dren on both sides of the conflict. In one key to reaching the world’s with the United Methodist General most vulnerable children. Board of Church and Society’s “Faith-based organizations Global Fund for Children—says have a particular and unique “I’ve seen first-hand how powerful strength,” she said. “They The United Methodist Church is in have a lot of very close ties the US Congress—following issues to communities and are part and legislation and raising educa- of their communities for the tion and awareness, both for ma- long-term. They are not leav- ternal and childhood health and for ing. There is trust there, and immunization. UMCOR reaches the community members will fol- most marginalized. The church is low the lead of their religious unabashed in pleading for support leaders. Reaching commu- when it comes to saving the lives of In Zanzibar, Tanzania, a mother has just finished nities through FBOs has women and children.” attending the health meeting sponsored by the proved to be a long-term sus- GAVI Alliance. She waits outside the rural health clinic for her son’s turn to be immunized. tainable strategy.” These interviews were conducted by Photo: Leila Nimatallah While 75 to 80 percent of Christie R House, editor, New World GAVI’s funding is awarded to Outlook.

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UMCOR Global Health INM

Im agine No Malaria Fundraising Campaign Both Saves and Changes Lives by Sandra Long Weaver

hen The United Method- ist Church officially launched Some 30,000 mosquito ImagineW No Malaria in 2010, a child nets awaited distribution was dying of malaria every 45 sec- at a storage facility in onds in sub-Saharan Africa. Now, Lubumbashi, DR Congo, less than three years later, the rate in 2010. of death for children has decreased Photo: Mike DuBose/UMNS 25%, with a child dying of malaria every 60 seconds. While this prog- (Above) INM Campaign pin. Photo: Jay Mallin/UMNS ress is heartening, United Methodists believe that no child or person should perish from a preventable cause. The reduction in deaths has been formed 12 trained health boards rep- big difference. The goal is to raise possible through a worldwide con- resenting 16 African countries where $75 million or more by June 2014. certed effort of governmental and there is a United Methodist presence. The campaign just received its nongovernmental organizations, pri- New churches have been planted first $1 million gift from an anony- vate and public donors, and faith- where the church’s lifesaving work mous donor in the California-Nevada based organizations such as The has been appreciated. More than 1.2 Conference. “This renews our excite- United Methodist Imagine No Malaria million insecticide-treated nets have ment for the potential of many more initiative. The United Methodist con- been distributed. large gifts that will push us even fast- tribution “has been possible only be- “This lifesaving work cannot er toward the $75 million goal. Our cause of the incredible generosity of slow or stop,” Henderson added. campaign staff is giving particular faithful United Methodist Christians, As of December 15, 2012, a total of emphasis to equipping bishops with the focused and directive leader- $32.9 million, including $9.3 million the tools and skills for reaching major ship of our bishops, and the hand of in new annual conference pledg- donors,” Henderson said. God at work in our midst,” said Gary es, had been raised. By and large, Imagine No Malaria provides clear Henderson, executive director of the reflected in this number is the de- focus for the Global Health Initiative. Global Health Initiative. termined work of many congrega- “Participation in Imagine No Malaria Henderson said The United tions and volunteers, individuals, by annual conferences—through local Methodist Church has trained more and small donors who have pooled churches, districts, and individuals— than 5,400 health-care workers and their resources together to make a grew tremendously last year,” said

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we touch people’s lives,” he said. “Imagine No Malaria has inspired more people than we can measure or count.” Imagine No Malaria is an ex- traordinary ministry of The United Methodist Church that puts faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa. With a goal of rais- ing $75 million to improve health infrastructure and empower a sus- tainable victory over the disease, Imagine No Malaria is our opportu- nity to rethink how we reach beyond our church and open doors to those who need it most. For more informa- Members of The United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria Team gather for a group photo in Bom Jesus, Angola. tion, please visit us online at www. Photo: Mike DuBose/UMNS ImagineNoMalaria.org.

Sandra Long Weaver is the Communica- Bishop Sally Dyck, fundraising chair In Africa, a third health care sum- tions Coordinator for the United Meth- for the Imagine No Malaria Campaign. mit for African health board teams odist Imagine No Malaria campaign. “As annual conferences have be- was held in Ghana and attended by come engaged in INM, churches have more than 40 people. At the summit, discovered a real connection with the teams worked to design malaria More People Have Nets— younger people and with people who strategies that integrated other kinds haven’t been involved in other as- of critical health interventions, such Fewer People Die pects of the church. INM really does as maternal and child health. Field co- in Africa bring vitality to Christians and to local ordinators for Imagine No Malaria are churches. Frankly, INM is one of the working in US annual conferences to The percentage of households own- best things we’re doing as an entire raise awareness of the campaign. ing at least one insecticide-treated denomination that isn’t focused on While the gains thus far have net (ITN) in sub-Saharan Africa is ourselves. I think those around us no- been impressive, there is still much estimated to have risen from 3% in tice that fact.” more to do to meet the goals of this 2000 to 53% in 2011. It remained at In addition to distributing nets churchwide initiative. Plans are un- 53% in 2012. and training health-care workers dur- derway for marking World Malaria If the malaria incidence and mor- ing 2012, Imagine No Malaria gath- Day on April 25, 2013. An alterna- tality rates in 2000 had remained un- ered more than 100 US participants tive giving initiative is underway for changed over the decade, 274 mil- in December 2012 for Imagine No Mother’s Day. And more net distribu- lion more cases and 1.1 million more Malaria Days on the Hill. This advoca- tions are being scheduled for Angola, deaths would have occurred between cy push in Washington, DC, included South Sudan, and the Democratic 2001 and 2010. The majority of cases United Methodist representatives from Republic of the Congo. averted (52%) and lives saved (58%) 30 states and 40 annual conferences. Henderson is pleased with the are in the 10 countries that had the The teams combined to visit 119 offic- number of US annual conferenc- highest estimated malaria burdens in es of both senators and congressional es that have agreed to join the pro- 2000. Thus, malaria programs have representatives to encourage them to gram in 2013. “We have great sup- had their greatest impact where the continue to support the Global Fund to port from the Council of Bishops. In burden is highest. Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, addition, United Methodists across which is a key partner in the global ef- the connection are engaged in activi- World Malaria Report 2012 World Health Organization Global forts to reduce malaria. ties. It is amazing the way in which Malaria Programme

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1 Year 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 INTERNATIONAL L DISASTER P H A S E S HAITI EARTHQUAKE

NA Search and Rescue

O Emergency Relief J APAN EARTHQUAKE A N D TS U N A M I Early Recovery Medium- to Long-Term Recovery CHILE E ARTHQUAKE

RNATI Community Development

SRI L A N K A , I N D O N E S I A TSUNAMI NTE I C US D I S A S T E R HURRICANE KAT R I N A PHASES Emergency ESTI

M Relief H URRICANE S A N DY

O Recovery D

haiti: January 12, 2010 Chile: February 27, 2010 200,000 deaths 480 deaths Search and rescue: 2 weeks, although some isolated Search and rescue: 5 days survivors discovered later emergency relief: 1 month emergency relief: 2 years early recovery: 1 year early recovery: 1–2 years Medium- long-term recovery: 3 years for more Medium- long-term recovery: currently starting vulnerable populations community development: next transition community development: ongoing

Japan: March 11, 2011 sri lanka, indonesia: December 26, 2004 18,000 deaths, tsunami set off a nuclear power-plant disaster 230,000 deaths across 13 countries, on both sides of Search and rescue: 5–7 days the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Africa emergency relief: 3 months Search and rescue: 2 weeks early recovery: 1 year emergency relief: 2 months Medium- long-term recovery: 2 years, currently ending early recovery: 3 years, mitigated in Sri Lanka by community development: currently starting, raising military confl ict awareness of nuclear threats, advocacy for Medium- long-term recovery: to 2011, 4 years vulnerable communities community development: 2012–2013, ongoing in Sri Lanka, 9 years after the event umcor.org

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1 Year 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 I N T E R N AT I O N A L L D I S A S T E R P H A S E S H A I T I EARTHQUAKE

N A Search and Rescue

O Emergency Relief JAPAN E A RT H Q U A K E A N D TS U N A M I Early Recovery Medium- to Long-Term Recovery C H I L E E A RT H Q U A K E

R N A T I Community Development

S R I L A N K A , I N D O N E S I A TS U N A M I N T E I C U S D I S A S T E R H U R R I C A N E KAT R I N A P H A S E S Emergency E S T I

M Relief H U R R I C A N E S A N DY

O Recovery D

Chile: February 27, 2010 hUrriCane katrina: August 25, 2005, affecting 480 deaths New Orleans, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and Florida Search and rescue: 5 days 1883 deaths emergency relief: 1 month emergency: 3–4 weeks early recovery: 1 year relief: 1 year Medium- long-term recovery: 3 years for more recovery: 6 years vulnerable populations community development: ongoing hUrriCane sandY: October 29, landfall in US centered in New York and New Jersey. Cuba, Jamaica, sri lanka, indonesia: December 26, 2004 Bahamas, and Haiti also affected 230,000 deaths across 13 countries, on both sides of 149 deaths the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Africa emergency: 10 days Search and rescue: 2 weeks relief: Still ongoing, to March 1, 5 months emergency relief: 2 months recovery: set to begin in March 1 early recovery: 3 years, mitigated in Sri Lanka by military confl ict Medium- long-term recovery: to 2011, 4 years community development: 2012–2013, ongoing in Sri Lanka, 9 years after the event umcor.org

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after typhoon Bopha hit Mindanao, Ciony ayo-eduarte (in yellow shirt), the uMCor director of operations in the Philippines, distributed emergency food and supplies to displaced people. assisting her is Minnie anne Calub (right), the emergency coordinator for the National Council of Churches of the Philippines. Photo: Paul Jeffrey

phases of disaster reCoverY Emergency Response for the Long Term by Melissa Crutchfi eld

hen disaster strikes a com- a disaster, whereas the long-term Each disaster is a unique event munity, its impact dominates disaster-response work of the Unit- that requires careful assessment. Wthe news. Images and accounts ed Methodist Committee on Re- And because relief and recovery may of distress fi ll TV screens and air- lief (UMCOR) unfolds over several take a long time, it is import to cre- waves. If the emergency remains phases and can last months or even ate a strategic plan of response to in the news for more than a week years. Different agencies may call identify and help the most vulnerable or two, it seems like long-term cov- these phases by different names, and severely affected people. So, in erage. Generally, though, mass but their fundamental elements and its initial response, UMCOR conducts media cover only the fi rst phase of contexts are the same. needs assessments and gathers

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information as soon as possible to Emergency relief can go on for Chile, because the country, being ac- determine the available resources, a very long time or can end fairly customed to earthquake activity, was partners, and assets of the affect- quickly. It depends on the nature of better prepared to respond. ed communities. In reality, the stag- the emergency and the resources at In all cases, the relief phase of a es of recovery don’t always follow a hand. The length of time it takes to disaster transitions into the recovery neatly defined course or timeline. Yet recover depends on the magnitude phase, when systems are in place there are several phases that unfold of the disaster, the preparedness of and people are no longer worried as communities begin to rebuild their the country, the vulnerability and ac- about survival but can turn to rebuild- lives after disasters. cessibility of the affected location, ing their lives. and the resources that are immedi- Search and Rescue ately or locally available. Early Recovery In general, the initial search and res- In relatively prosperous countries In recovery, the affected popula- cue phase can last for hours or even like Chile or Japan, for example, com- tion is in a more stable period of tran- days after the disaster. The time im- munities and government structures sition. They have a place to get food mediately following the event re- may be better prepared for emergen- and water and a temporary or transi- quires a fast response in order to cies than they are in under-resourced tional shelter that can withstand wind save lives in imminent danger. Within countries like Haiti. In Haiti, the relief and rain. They can go about their daily a few days, that phase has usually phase following the 2010 earthquake lives, beginning to resume some kind passed and the work turns toward lasted for most people well into the of normal existence. Children go back providing support to the survivors. second year. It has endured even lon- to school—though their classes may However, in the case of Hurricane ger for the many Haitians who were be held in a church, a tent, or some Katrina in 2005, the search and res- living in vulnerable conditions even be- other temporary accommodation. cue phase stretched out for weeks. fore the earthquake struck. For them, Those affected may not have yet re- While people were trapped in their houses, surrounded by flood water, many either had some access to food and drinking water or had neighbors who shared their emergency sup- plies. This enabled survivors to sus- tain themselves for a longer time be- fore rescuers reached them. UMCOR does not become in- volved in rescue operations. Local authorities and trained, professional emergency-response teams do this work.

Emergency Relief Meeting basic needs simply to keep people alive, the emergency relief phase begins in the immediate after-

math of a disastrous event. People An UMCOR School kit distribution in Zimbabwe. need food, water, shelter, and med- Photo: Melissa Crutchfield icines. Those with severe injuries need urgent medical help. After an securing the basic needs for surviv- covered fully, but they have begun to initial assessment of the situation al—food, water, shelter, and medical adapt to a “new normal.” and the needs of affected commu- care—was already a day-to-day strug- Early recovery can last any num- nities, UMCOR works with partners gle. By contrast, the emergency re- ber of weeks or months—even and supports churches that are al- lief phase lasted only a few months years. While the phases from re- ready on the ground. after the February 2011 earthquake in lief to recovery may follow a similar

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pattern, the timeline for how quickly up a field office, such as in Haiti after When UMCOR’s response moves a particular community follows this the 2010 earthquake or in Indonesia into the community development path may depend on its initial vulner- and Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. phase, livelihoods, quality of life, and ability, access to resources, adapt- Then UMCOR’s global health work, access to education and health care ability, and other considerations. sustainable agriculture and develop- are priorities. UMCOR’s health pro- ment programs, hunger and poverty grams will work with a community to Medium to Long-Term programming, livelihood strengthen- focus on training community health Recovery ing, and education and empower- workers—increasing access to basic During medium to long-term recov- ment initiatives can take root. health care and providing a forum ery, the work of building permanent There is a natural transition from for behavioral change. Livelihood physical structures to replace tents, relief to development. But in order strengthening might involve training trailers, or plywood houses begins, to be effective, UMCOR works di- a group of women on microfinance as does restoration of social struc- rectly with affected communities to and providing them with a seed grant tures. As permanent housing is being identify priority needs and to deter- rather than simply a cash hand-out. rebuilt, the social fabric of communi- mine how and when to become in- This phase can take decades. ties is strengthened. Children are re- volved. Community development is The community development turning to school buildings. Adults the phase in which we focus on mak- phase of UMCOR’s work ties into have renewed opportunities to im- ing daily life better for marginalized the global Millennium Development prove their livelihoods and restore or vulnerable communities in which Goals: eradicating poverty, provid- their family economies. Life is final- people are surviving but not thriving. ing universal education, and sav- ly beginning to feel stable once ing the lives of mothers and more. children from preventable diseases. From UMCOR’s Community perspective, education and ca- Development pacity strengthening are core Community development is a elements in achieving these means of improving on the “nor- goals—training and empow- mal.” Traditionally, this phase is ering people to take greater not considered part of emer- ownership of their lives and gency response. But develop- their environments. The goal ment is a priority for UMCOR, is to put communities that and remaining in an area after a have already suffered in a po- disaster provides opportunities sition where, in the event of for important long-term engage- another disaster or in the face ment. Now that the population of persistent challenges, they is back to a relatively stable won’t fall back quite as far. daily life, we can begin to ad- dress some of the root causes Disaster Risk of circumstances that pose Reduction significant challenges to the A relatively new paradigm community. in the relief-to-development Community development is a continuum is Disaster Risk pillar of UMCOR’s work, wheth- Reduction (DRR). In order for er or not a disaster has occurred. this model to work, communi- But after years of putting re- ty action needs to happen be- covery systems in place, those Near Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, the Rev. Jedarani Peter, fore a disaster strikes. A com- a Methodist, carries emergency supplies—a box of systems can be leveraged to munity needs to reduce its toothbrushes—destined for survivors of the Dec. 26 improve people’s lives beyond tsunami. The supplies were provided by ACT through the vulnerabilities by taking con- the point of disaster recovery. National Christian Council of Sri Lanka. crete action and adopting spe- Sometimes UMCOR will set Photo: Paul Jeffrey/UMNS/ACT cific behaviors.

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livelihoods can often other residents. It requires commu- be greatly reduced. nity members to take a serious look Disaster prepared- at what they have in their own back- ness and Disaster Risk yards that might create risk, as well Reduction are a big as what available resources they have part of UMCOR’s work that might help mitigate the impact in the Philippines, of a disaster. A Hazard and Resource which is a disaster- Map is a very useful tool for Disaster prone country. There Risk Reduction. are typhoons and Community development—which flooding every year. focuses on livelihoods, the strength- UMCOR responds ening of capacity, and education— through a perma- raises general awareness about the Residents of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, make their way past a building damaged by the earthquake in January 2010. nent full-time office. hazards in any given situation. This Photo: Mike DuBose/UMNS UMCOR Philippines— awareness encourages communi- directed by Ciony ties around the world to make bet- Disaster Risk Reduction isn’t only Ayo-Eduarte—has trained volunteers ter choices. That way, when disaster about individuals’ being prepared— to distribute supplies and coordinate strikes, they can recover more quick- knowing where the flashlights are assistance. Then, when recovery ly and residents can go back to work and boarding up the windows. It is is underway, Ciony and her team, and school with less disruption. about reducing the risks throughout working with the many organizations Accompanying a community a whole community—removing the there that UMCOR partners with, do through all the phases of disaster re- hazards that would compound a com- Disaster Risk Reduction training in covery requires a long-term commit- munity’s distress in an emergency. the communities. ment by The United Methodist Church. For example, if a coastal commu- UMCOR sees disaster as an issue It is only after the injured have been nity was at risk of a tsunami, a pre- of poverty because disasters tend to treated, the hungry fed, and the thirsty paredness measure would be putting impact poverty-stricken communities provided with clean, potable water a warning system in place. That way, the most. The reason people rebuild that recovery begins. Even long after when a siren blared, people would their houses along the coastline in the rubble-strewn streets have been know to evacuate. They would avoid poor fishing communities may be be- cleared and houses rebuilt, we may being swept away by the tsunami, cause they aren’t able to afford any still be called to walk side-by-side with though they might have to rebuild other option. In the case of underde- disaster survivors while they make their houses after it ended. veloped communities that are partic- their communities stronger and better If residents rebuilt their houses ularly prone to disasters, as in some prepared for the next calamity in their in the same places, another tsunami areas of the Philippines, being in a midst. Through UMCOR, the church could threaten to destroy them again. constant state of risk is closely con- accompanies them as they strive to Many flood zones are like that. So nected to the cycle of poverty. live in God’s abundance, standing a Disaster Risk Reduction scenario strong and hopeful even through times would dissuade people from rebuild- Environmental Concerns of crisis. ing their houses in such a vulnerable UMCOR began Disaster Risk location. Risk reduction looks not Reduction training internationally a Melissa Crutchfield is the Associate only at the cost to human life but also few years ago with people who were General Secretary for International at the cost to basic necessities, such volunteering in their own communi- Development for the United Methodist as housing or agriculture. ties. We’ve conducted DRR work- Committee on Relief. In her previous Ther e are measures that any com- shops in countries throughout Latin role, as Assistant General Secretary for munity can take to increase its chanc- America and the Caribbean, Asia, and International Disaster Response, she es of survival, so that when a disas- Africa. After DRR participants finish coordinated UMCOR’s actions in the ter inevitably strikes, its impact is not their training, they return to their own wake of natural or human-caused di- as great. The loss of life, the dam- communities and draw a “Hazard sasters in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, age to infrastructure, and the cost to and Resource Map” to share with and Latin America.

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louise Davis waits for her turn to shop at the West Side Campaign against hunger food pantry at the uM Church of St. Paul & St. andrew in New york. Davis said she lost wages because of disruptions in public transportation following hurricane Sandy. Photo: MIKe DuBoSe/ uMNS

U M C o r ’ s U s d i s a s t e r r e s p o n s e Until the Last Person Is by Susan Kim Home y the time Hurricane Sandy were already at work in severely years. During that time, UMCOR will made its devastating US land- damaged homes on Long Island. accompany Sandy’s survivors every fallB in late October 2012, the Unit- They had also handed 4,000 clean- step of the way. ed Methodist Committee on Relief ing buckets directly to storm sur- “The connectional United Meth- (UMCOR) was fully prepared and vivors in New Jersey’s hardest-hit odist Church is exceptionally alive ready to respond. By Thanksgiving, coastal towns. in the wake of disasters,” said Tom 1,000 members of UMCOR’s well- All this took place in only the fi rst Hazelwood, UMCOR’s assistant gen- trained Early Response Team (ERT) month of a response and recovery eral secretary for US Disaster Re- were mobilized. These responders that is likely to last for the next three sponse. “Rapid and effective disaster

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response is a powerful ministry for our church. It begins when disasters strike and it continues for years— until the last person is home.”

Phases of Disaster Response When a disaster strikes, especial- ly in the United States, UMCOR is ready to provide relief and to aid in recovery. To achieve this readiness, the agency provides training to help United Methodist churches and other organizations prepare for disaster. (See Trained and Ready, below). During the relief phase of a disas- ter, UMCOR focuses on reaching sur- The Rev. Jim Gentry (left), the Rev. David Jones (center) of Hulen UMC in Oklahoma, and the vivors with water, food, shelter, and Rev. Elijah Mitchell (right) discuss construction of the Seashore District Volunteer Center at clothing. By working with local part- Heritage UMC, D’Iberville, Mississippi. The center housed volunteer teams that worked on ners, UMCOR can provide immediate Hurricane Katrina relief projects. Photo: Mike DuBose/UMNS assistance to people who’ve lost their homes and send shipments of sup- UMCOR is often the “last to leave,” eye. “Local churches and neighbors plies stored at its two large US depots. continuing to work with survivors as who reach out when a disaster (See the sidebar entitled “I Assembled they adapt to their new version of strikes are often still reaching out a an UMCOR Cleaning Bucket.”) what is normal. “We count on the peo- year later,” Hazelwood observed. Also during the relief period, ple in the pews to help disaster survi- “They are vitally important, for disas- UMCOR-trained ERT members ar- vors feel certain that they haven’t been ter survivors need their support.” rive to prepare damaged property forgotten,” Hazelwood explained. for repair or reconstruction. The goal UMCOR’s Case Management of these response technicians is to Long-Term Recovery Among faith-based disaster response make homes “safe, sanitary, and Long after a disaster fades from organizations, UMCOR is known for secure.” In many cases, they clear newspaper headlines, long-term re- offering a holistic plan for each per- fallen limbs and trees. For survivors covery quietly continues. It is cur- son’s recovery from disaster—one who can’t afford to hire a commercial rently underway in many states, in- that addresses the individual’s physi- cleanup crew, this hands-on ministry cluding Kentucky, where tornadoes cal, emotional, and spiritual needs. is a real blessing. struck in March 2012, leaving serious During the last two decades, UMCOR Recovery is the longest phase of consequences. has honed an underlying philosophy disaster response. It can take sever- Nearly a year after twisters dev- of care that moves disaster survivors al years, depending on the disaster’s astated several small Kentucky beyond file folders and into recovery. scope. Recovery can include recon- towns, Julie Love, director of con- When Hurricane Katrina struck struction or relocation, livelihood sup- nectional ministries for the Kentucky the Gulf Coast in August 2005, port or new employment, transpor- Conference, noted that many sur- UMCOR led an effort that brought tation, and—most importantly—the vivors still live in inadequate hous- nine faith-based or unaffiliated vol- restoration of hope. ing. “Homelessness in eastern untary agencies into one case man- UMCOR also provides resources Kentucky,” she said, “is different agement program called Katrina Aid for long-term disaster ministries, in- from homelessness in a city. We Today. This program, known as KAT, cluding funding, training, mentors, more often see rural families move in received a $66 million government volunteers, and relief supplies. This with other family members.” grant administered by the Federal recovery phase is the main focus of It’s also a constant challenge to Emergency Management Agency UMCOR’s disaster response work, for keep long-term recovery in the public (FEMA). In the months following

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said. “We haven’t had enough vol- unteer teams to move repairs along as fast as we’d like.”

Trained and Ready In 2012, UMCOR trained its 10,000th ERT member to move into action im- mediately after a disaster strikes. Julie Pohl, disaster response coordi- nator for the Kansas East Conference, has trained dozens of them. “Training and credentialing team members is more important than ever,” Pohl said. “It’s harder and harder for unaffiliat- Pastor Matthew Schaeffer (center) of Bethel UMC in Staten Island, New York, discusses ed volunteers to find their way into community needs following Hurricane Sandy with the Revs. Tom Hazlewood (left) of UMCOR a disaster site.” Once trained, ERT and William Shillady, United Methodist City Society. Photo: Mike DuBose/UMNS members may be deployed for either a local disaster or one out of state. Katrina, KAT affiliates sometimes Reservation in southeast Montana. UMCOR has also developed a found themselves opening 200 new UMCOR issued an emergency two-day, local-church-readiness, cases in a single day. grant to the Yellowstone Annual train-the-trainer program called In total, KAT helped more than Conference to assist with immediate Connecting Neighbors Leadership 300,000 Katrina survivors. In addition response. Now, nearly a year later, Training. It was designed to give to the FEMA grant, UMCOR raised UMCOR has followed up with addi- volunteer trainers the tools and nearly $70 million in post-Hurricane tional support. information they need to devel- Katrina donations, helping hundreds Grants are also approved for long- op local church disaster-response of thousands more. Now, thanks to term recovery. For example, a $1 mil- ministries. According to Heather the training and tools developed dur- lion UMCOR grant is helping survivors Klason, disaster response coordina- ing the Katrina response, disaster of Hurricane Irene—which struck in tor for the Minnesota Conference, survivors nationwide receive better August 2011—on their road to long- increasing numbers of church case management, said Catherine term recovery. Hundreds of homes members want to enroll in training Earl, UMCOR’s executive secretary along the North Carolina coastline still before a disaster strikes. for US Disaster Response. “In the await repairs. Irene lingered over the Christy Smith, an UMCOR con- years following Hurricane Katrina, region for nearly 36 hours, damaging sultant who administers Connecting we stuck to our resolve to do our job and destroying thousands of homes. Neighbors, agreed that more congre- very, very well,” Earl said. “Our goal More than 35,000 people seeking gations are eager to learn about disas- is to give a disaster survivor the very aid for hurricane recovery registered ter preparation and response in ad- best care possible.” with FEMA. vance. Many people naturally turn to Case manager Donna Brander the church in times of crisis. Church Emergency and works at the Aurora United members who are prepared can help Long-Term Grants Methodist Disaster Center. She said to mitigate the emotional and spiritu- UMCOR offers both emergency and that, for the first six months after al impact of a disaster, making their long-term grants to help disaster Hurricane Irene hit, people walked church a place of hospitality and survivors across the United States. around in shock. “Now, they’re sanctuary. “The goal of Connecting Emergency grants of $10,000 are thinking: ‘Is anybody ever going to Neighbors is to inspire churches to usually offered to annual conferences help us?’” she said. It’s difficult to ministry at all levels,” she said. “But shortly after a disaster strikes. For ex- tell people that they will receive you can only respond out of strength. ample, in July 2012, a wildfire burned help—but that they have to wait. If you’re prepared rather than reeling nearly one-quarter of the 440,000- “We still have 100 homes to fix on from the disaster, you’ll be in a better acre Northern Cheyenne Indian the south side of the river,” Brander position to reach out and help.”

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UMCOR also trains “Care Teams” of rushing in. Why? One reason is into the hands of disaster survivors. that offer a listening presence to di- that disaster-stricken local churches Their needs change quickly, and saster survivors. Often there is a great and communities don’t have the ca- purchasing what they need helps need for emotional and spiritual care pacity to host you. Also, volunteers boost local economies that have during long-term recovery, said Mary who travel to a disaster scene too been devastated. Hughes Gaudreau, a US Disaster soon may endanger themselves, Assemble or purchase relief supply Response consultant for UMCOR. As may crowd already-clogged road- kits. (See the sidebar, “I Assembled Gaudreau travels across the country ways, and may impede search-and- an UMCOR Cleaning Bucket.”) to train Care Teams, she is grateful for rescue operations. “I wish people Wait to act on your strong urge the talent and commitment of local felt more called to enroll in training,” to volunteer. Mark your calendar and volunteers. “I am always touched by Hazelwood said, “so they can learn volunteer six months after you first the level of gifts people bring to this when it’s appropriate for them to trav- hear about a disaster. By then, the di- ministry,” she said, “by their expe- el to the scene.” saster will have faded from the head- rience, expertise, and compassion. A popular post-disaster donation lines but survivors will still be strug- Care Teams offer a listening pres- is used clothing—commonly known gling with long-term recovery. ence, helping to reduce the terrible as “the second disaster.” Bundles Get trained and prepared. Learn aloneness that survivors feel.” of old clothes collect on church more about UMCOR’s “Connecting pews, at curbsides, and in ware- Neighbors,” ERT, or CARE team Do This—Not That! houses. Volunteers have to organize training. Find an outlet that calls upon UMCOR seeks to educate people, the clothes donations and they often your special talents and skills. Then advising eager volunteers on how have to ship them somewhere else. respond as part of a trained team that best to help after a disaster. Unless As a rule, here are the best ways to is ready to provide real help. you have already been trained and really help. are being deployed by a specific or- Give money. Donating money Susan Kim is a journalist and a regular ganization, it’s better to wait instead is the best way to get help quickly UMCOR contributor.

“I assembled an UMCOR Cleaning Bucket. Where did it go?”

MCOR relief supplies—such as cleaning buckets, UMCOR’s depots need to continually build up their health kits, and other aids—are critically impor- supply of cleaning buckets, said Kathy Kraiza, UMCOR’s tant in disaster ministry. Relief supply kits packed executive director of Relief Supplies. “We’ve always got byU congregations across the nation are delivered directly to replenish our supplies to be ready for the next disas- into the hands of disaster survivors. Though you may not ter,” she pointed out. know exactly where your kit ends up, UMCOR respond- UMCOR runs two supply depots: UMCOR Sager Brown ers are often deeply moved when they see a recipient’s in Baldwin, Louisiana, and UMCOR West in Salt Lake City, reaction. Utah. UMCOR also participates in a network of United Catherine Earl, UMCOR’s executive secretary for US Methodist relief supply depots across the United States. Disaster Response, remembers meeting a woman who The Sager Brown Depot is the headquarters for received a cleaning bucket during the Midwest floods UMCOR’s relief-supply operations. In 2011, nearly 3,000 two years ago. “She had always assembled the cleaning volunteers prepared more than $8 million in supplies for buckets and other relief supply kits with her unit of United shipment from the Baldwin campus. Statistics for 2012 Methodist Women,” Earl said. Then, suddenly, she was are still being tallied. the recipient of a cleaning bucket, and she thought about For instructions on assembling and shipping kits, visit how it all comes around in a circle of caring.” http:www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies.

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Syomik Kadunts, a student, with two pigs at an agricultural training center in Norabak, armenia, sponsored by uMCor. Photo: Paul Jeffrey

UMCor field offiCes A Side-by-Side, Integrated Approach to Development by Christie R. House

n 1991, after 70 years of Soviet agencies (NGOs) moved into Arme- into other areas of development with rule, Armenians voted to become nia and other former states to start other funding sources. Ian independent nation. In 1992, the projects, using funding from the US Today, international donor agencies US State Department (DOS) began government. UMCOR opened its have decreased or ended their grants funding projects in the former states Armenia offi ce with DOS funding in to projects in Armenia, and many inter- of the Soviet Union, including Arme- 1994. Since that time, it has oper- national assistance agencies have left. nia, in order to strengthen and sup- ated the medical commodities distri- Yet, 19 years later, UMCOR remains. port the newly independent gov- bution program, as designated by its “With decreased assistance from the ernments. Many nongovernmental initial grant, but it has also expanded international community, UMCOR is

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the only organization that still continues office, including Gasparyan, are origi- Indigenous Mission to assist us,” states Olya Mkrtchyan, nally from Armenia. UMCOR field offices are staffed by director of the Gyumri Elderly Home. UMCOR currently operates nine both local residents and internation- “For more than 10 years we have felt field offices around the world: Georgia al expatriates. They coordinate with UMCOR’s love and support for the (20 years), Armenia (19 years), UMCOR program managers, based marginalized members of our society.” Afghanistan (11 years), DR Congo in its New York headquarters, on the Mkrtchyan herself is 65 years old, (11 years), Sri Lanka (8 years), Sudan delivery of respective programs. The but she cares for the beneficiaries of (8 years), South Sudan (7 years), country offices may have additional the home, albeit with a limited bud- Zimbabwe (4 years), and Haiti (3 years outlets in the regions where they work get. UMCOR has been working with since the earthquake, with multiple and local staff who live and work in the the residents to improve nutrition and interventions before 2010). Each of- communities they serve. This is one of food security, using animal-raising, fice has its own unique circumstanc- UMCOR’s unique strengths—the face gardening, and beekeeping projects es, with various funding sources and of UMCOR, wherever it is found, is the that residents themselves can main- partners. Each navigates challenging face of a neighbor. Development starts tain. Funding for sustainable agricul- obstacles and seeks to multiply bene- even before the work begins, as local ture projects in Armenia has come ficial opportunities. But all share com- residents are hired and trained to ac- from the Foods Resource Bank, a mon goals and characteristics that de- complish the office’s mission. voluntary ecumenical project in the fine them as UMCOR entities. Nicholas Jaeger is the program United States supported by farmers Some of the offices are opened manager for UMCOR in Armenia and and communities that set aside land with United Methodist funding after Georgia. The staff in both of these to raise produce. The proceeds from a disaster has occurred. A few have field offices is entirely Armenian or these produce sales fund agricultural opened with large donor grants from Georgian. Jaeger says he feels privi- projects around the world. US government or United Nations leged to work with his colleagues be- “We are grateful to American agencies, awarded because of cause they provide excellent leader- farmers and citizens for support- UMCOR’s successes in other coun- ship in both missions. “They really ing our residents through the Foods tries. In either case, that funding is know the programs backward and for- Resource Bank project,” said leveraged to attract other donors ward,” he confirms. “I think that is an Mkrtchyan. Her story was report- and partners to extend programs important lesson in general. We are ed by Anahit Gasparyan, UMCOR further, start new projects, and max- best served if we are looking to our Armenia’s project manager. All staff imize UMCOR’s effectiveness in the field staff for their input, rather than members of the UMCOR Armenia countries where it serves. being directive in giving our input to them. Staff members in the field know best their context and the needs of the beneficiaries on the ground.” Jaeger feels that the goal is to focus on the beneficiaries in the field and help them in the best way possible. For that to happen, the conversation has to flow in a circle. The main office for UMCOR DRC is in Lubumbashi and a second office op- erates in Kamina. Amber Kubera coor- dinates UMCOR’s work in DR Congo, Zimbabwe, and Sudan (Khartoum). Not only does UMCOR employ Congolese staff, she says, but staff members train hundreds of local community health workers. So UMCOR’s reach On-the-spot training at the beekeeping farm of Gyumri #1 Child Care and Support Boarding Institution in Armenia. into remote areas of the Congo is very Photo: Courtesy UMCOR Armenia deep in some regions.

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Top (left to right): A man in Khaki Jabbar District inspects a kariz tunnel in Afghanistan. Photo: UMCOR Afghanistan; a woman helps construct a building to store the community’s grain, part of an UMCOR community agriculture project outside Kamina, DR Congo; at the market in Akhal tsikhe, Georgia, a woman sells eggs with help from an UMCOR small loan program. Photos: Paul Jeffrey

Left (left to right): Metelus Jonotas sells beans and rice and other basic foodstuffs from a pan that she carries on her head as she walks through the Corail camp for resettled earthquake survivors built by UMCOR; girls in Yei, South Sudan, walk home after getting water from a well provided by UMCOR. Photos: Paul Jeffrey

“I think one of the goals in all of our we have guided and worked alongside UMCOR Afghanistan has great re- programs,” Kubera explains, “is to do in the last few years.” lationships with local governments human capacity-building. In all of our Putting the time and support into and standing agreements with the distributions of supplies or medicines, training in-country staff is one of the Afghan ministry. In the countryside, in all of our health programs, we in- reasons UMCOR can continue to the government is decentralized. tegrate the community health work- function in Afghanistan. Although UMCOR’s local relationships are fo- ers into our trainings. Those are the the field office is led by a senior staff cused on building capacity at the people who are in their communities of expatriates, all the implement- community level. “I think that is what day-to-day. They will continue to work ing staff and trainers are Afghani. makes us different,” Corneal says. with the government health agen- Meghan Corneal—program manager “We are not taking a ‘top-down’ ap- cies long after we’ve left. In the end, for Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Sri proach. We work side-by-side with our goal is to have no more reason to Lanka—says that practice allows for our beneficiaries.” work there.” ease of movement and a base of trust. In the Haiti field office, the ratio The Afghani staff members worked An Integrated Approach for staff is approximately one foreign in partnership with the local commu- Another tenet of an UMCOR field worker for every five Haitian work- nities, which helps to guarantee se- office is to provide a whole minis- ers. Thodleen Dessources, UMCOR’s curity. “We don’t use private security try for the whole person. While it is program manager for Haiti, says build- contractors,” Corneal explains, “be- important to assess and identify se- ing the capacity and knowledge of the cause we think that actually increases vere challenges to healthy daily liv- Haitian staff members will increase the likelihood of the mission’s becom- ing—such as malaria in Sub-Saharan their ability to respond directly to ing a target. We maintain a low profile Africa—approaching challenges in emergencies and to provide relief fol- in the districts where UMCOR works. a way that does not address all the lowing disasters in their disaster-prone Yet we are very careful with our staff. contributing factors will not help the country. “The immediate plan is not to If we see an increase of violence in a population’s recovery. close the office,” Dessources says, surrounding province, we shut down Using malaria as an example, pre- “but to transfer the programs and op- our activities there until we think it is vention is important. Providing people eration to local staff members whom safe to resume.” with bed nets, therefore, is important.

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But if most community residents training birth attendants, and also by emphasized UMCOR’s work with receive nets and few know how to improving the nutrition of whole fam- people of all faiths, not just United hang them or when to replace them, ilies. The Sustainable Agriculture pro- Methodists, in the countries it bed net distributions will have little gram funded by the Foods Resource serves. In some countries, there is effect. So a training component must Bank works on the nutrition aspect. no UMC connection. But approach- be added that reaches every house- “We look at health from all sides,” ing humanitarian work from a faith- hold where nets are distributed. explains Kubera, “not just by provid- based perspective adds a layer of If treatment is not accessi- ing a clinic but through health educa- accountability. ble to people who contract malar- tion and nutrition.” “In the DRC,” said Kubera, “we ia, the population will not get bet- In Afghanistan, most of UMCOR’s work with pastors and imams to ter and more will die. The need for work centers around one pro- prepare sermons—to integrate more health clinics, health workers, gram funded by the US Bureau of health messages into their discus- and medicines may need to be ad- Population, Refugees, and Migration sions and conversations with their dressed. Likewise, poor nutrition will (BPRM). But the program involves congregations. Other organizations defeat a body trying to heal even if multiple sectors for an integrated ap- that are not faith-based might be it has the necessary medication. So proach. Meghan Corneal says the able to do that, but it is something food security, nutrition, and agricul- work focuses on education, health, we do very well.” ture must all be considered. water and sanitation, and agricul- The Methodist Church of Haiti, one Finally, access to clean, safe water ture. “We do a mixture of all these of UMCOR’s main partners in that underlies all aspects of health and de- components,” she points out. In country, allowed UMCOR to have velopment work. Even if all the other UMCOR’s Afghan water projects, immediate access to many commu- factors that contribute to malaria are local labor is used to provide short- nities with Methodist congregations. addressed, polluted water will make term work opportunities. A tradi- Dessources described a long history the population sicker, and poor sani- tional Afghan water system, Karizes, of Methodist presence in Haiti, dat- tation and drainage will breed more are used, rather than less familiar ing back to the 1800s. She believes mosquitos to transmit the disease. technologies. that building on that historic relation- A significant slice of funding for In Haiti, Thodleen Dessources ship among Methodists—Haitian, UMCOR DRC comes from the Global says the office has partnered with European, and American—UMCOR Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, a number of agencies to construct can have a broader reach and a wider and Malaria. Amber Kubera sees this housing, provide clean water, and in- and deeper impact in Haiti. as a good “step forward” in the DR crease access to health resources. “I’ve heard that there is a level Congo. “We are really becoming But for the long-term well-being of of respect accorded to UMCOR in health experts for some of these Haitians, work is now beginning to Afghanistan because it is a faith- conditions, such as malaria,” she focus on sustainable development. based organization,” Corneal said. says. “Now we are focusing on HIV/ Increasing opportunities for edu- “You would think, as a Christian or- AIDS programs, an area of priority cation, food production, and liveli- ganization in a Muslim country, that for us and an area of need there.” hoods are the next phase. Providing UMCOR would have great difficulty.” UMCOR DRC also assists commu- the means for Haiti’s farmers with Into every country, deep in its nity members in building wells, la- small family farms to increase and core, UMCOR carries its Methodist trines, and hand-washing stations. diversify their yields, feed their fami- DNA and its heart for mission. To Recently, the country office finished lies, and have some produce to sell many in need, that motivation is re- a project at a girl’s school in Kamina at markets “would have a multiply- freshing. UMCOR touches the lives that serves 3000 girls. “It isn’t only ing effect in their communities,” of ordinary people, like the senior that the girls now have clean water,” Dessources says. citizens of Gyumri home for the el- Kubera says, “but when you have derly in Armenia, and it stays for as better facilities, you see increases in The Community of Faith long as it can to complete its mis- attendance. The project benefits the When asked about UMCOR’s role sion among them. community at large.” as a faith-based humanitarian agen- UMCOR seeks to improve ma- cy among thousands of NGOs in Christie R. House is the editor of New ternal and child health ministries by the world, the program managers World Outlook.

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 37 2/7/13 4:22 PM 38 newworldoutlook.org Members of the Jyambere Mutegarugori (Women in Development) cooperative work at basket weaving, Muramba, rwanda. Photo: CourteSy Serrv

A Fair Chance at Life by Judith Santiago

UMCOR strives to develop partnerships with organizations that share its mission for vulnerable communities—eradicate poverty, improve livelihoods, support local economies, and provide fair wages to minimize dependency and maximize potential. These fair-trade partnerships are a way to address the root causes of poverty, but they also are a way to raise funds for UMCOR programs.

June H. Kim, Hunger and Poverty executive, UMCOR

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n 2002, the United Methodist reinvesting a portion of their income 80 members. These groups grow ol- I Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in their home communities. ives, almonds, dates, wheat for cous- partnered with Equal Exchange, As part of the Wesleyan tradition, cous, and other products. Two factors a worker-owned cooperative in United Methodists are encouraged have contributed to the relatively re- Massachusetts, to launch a denom- to support social justice even in their cent development of cooperatives in ination-wide program: the UMCOR buying choices, choosing products Palestine. First, the disappearance of Coffee Project. This partnership en- whose manufacturing practices do the Israeli market after the second abled United Methodist congrega- not contribute to the root causes of Intifada in 2000 led to land abandon- tions and individuals to buy coffee poverty. Such choices can positively ment or lack of productive use. So, and other Equal Exchange fair-trade impact the lives of the world’s most given available land and the potential items through UMCOR. UMCOR re- vulnerable people. for profitable markets, an incentive ceives approximately 15 cents per What follows is a series of stories was created for individual landholders pound of product sold—or about highlighting several of UMCOR’s fair- to band together and form a co-op. $20,000 a year—for its Small Farmer trade partner organizations. The Equal Exchange group spent a Fund. These contributions support day at the Al Zawyeh cooperative, one UMCOR’s Sustainable Agriculture & of the co-ops that currently supplies ol- Development programs. Equal Exchange in ives for fair-trade olive oil, which is sold The purpose of the fair-trade pro- the West Bank in 500 milliliter bottles. Formed in 2008 gram was to develop a way for the by Rob Everts, Co-Executive average consumer or congregation Director, and Susan Sklar, to help alleviate poverty in commu- Community Sales Manager, nities around the world by address- Equal Exchange ing some of poverty’s root causes. In early November 2011, Equal Incorporating a fair-trade, fair-wage Exchange traveled to the West system as a consumer choice and Bank of the Jordan River to meet an exercise of individual purchasing with members of the Palestinian power helps bring a just profit to both Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC). labor and manufacturers. It encour- Equal Exchange buys organic, fair- ages the creation of necessary and ly traded olive oil from PARC. Both beneficial goods, while guiding con- organizations are grounded in the sumers away from products whose earth’s most fundamental industry: manufacturers exploit workers or agriculture. And both enable small- harm the environment. scale farmers to remain on their land In recent years, UMCOR has in- by working in cooperatives, growing creased the number of fair-trade part- quality products, and building sus- nerships it supports, adding SERRV tainable markets. Working with a (an independent distributor origi- Palestinian group in the West Bank Equal Exchange Palestinian Olive Oil. nally launched by the Church of the is particularly compelling, given that Photo: Gary Goodman Brethren), Prosperity Candle, and the this tiny speck of land in the Middle Eco-Palm Project. These businesses East is the source of so much endur- with 18 members and now at a mem- help communities build better econ- ing conflict. bership of 22, this co-op plays a social omies and practice sustainable de- PARC was founded in 1983 by role in the community, for example, velopment while supporting work- agronomists and veterinarians in order helping students finish high school. Fair er-owned and democratically run to serve farmers. Israel’s government, Trade income in the first few years has cooperatives. The co-ops also allevi- like those of many coffee-exporting enabled the co-op to build a barn for ate poverty by empowering women, countries, had not prioritized agricul- sheep and to secure and distribute or- farmers, and artisans to support their ture or invested heavily in it—particu- ganic compost. Many of the olive trees own livelihoods without dependence larly in the Palestinian Territories. are hundreds—even thousands—of on outside employers. And they Today PARC works with 41 coop- years old and hold an almost sacred practice corporate responsibility by eratives, each having between 20 and significance for some farmers.

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Over the last five years, the co-op an office of the United Nations has made enormous gains in capac- High Commissioner for Refugees ity, quality control, and bottling equip- (UNHCR) was located. (Later, she ment. The visitors were inspired by learned that her husband was in an- what they saw and confident that other village, running in the opposite skilled people and proper processes direction.) When the soldiers’ pursuit are in place to create high-quality bot- finally ended, Mee returned home to tles of organic, extra virgin olive oil. her small village in Koechi, Myanmar A number of ever-present hard- (formerly Burma). ships face Palestinian farmers—the From 1997 to 2000, Mee and most extreme being water scarcity. thousands like her lived under the In recent years, drought resulting constant threat of violence from from climate change has increas- Myanmar’s military forces. About ingly affected the growth of olive once a week, Mee and other villag- The women selection team from Sierra trees. But Israeli policies that limit ac- ers would be on the move further Morena teaches workers in other cess to water for collection and irri- communities in the Tierra y Liberad region, into the jungle to avoid capture, rape, gation have likewise posed a serious Sepultura, Mexico. or death. obstacle to a thriving agricultural sec- Photo: Courtesy ECO Palms Life in the jungle was difficult and tor. Most water in the West Bank is often terrifying. The makeshift bam- either diverted to settlements or sent Mexican association Pronatura Sur boo tents used as temporary dwell- back to Israel. A.C. through the Sacred Orchid of ings had roof and floor coverings but It’s impossible to separate the Chiapas Project, which is supported open sides. Many women, including struggles of Palestinian olive farm- by the Global Environment Facility Mee, gave birth to children in the jun- ers from political struggles in the re- (GEF). Here, women work in the gle. Mee’s then six-year-old son as- gion. For Equal Exchange, this trip palm-selection process and sell palm sisted in the delivery of his baby sis- provided a first opportunity to begin fronds directly to the US market. ter, named Eh Ku Hser—“love, cold, learning ways to best contribute to “Some say that this is not a job for sweet.” “Cold” in Burmese culture just economic development in the women,” Brigida observes, “but we means “so as not to pass through West Bank. are all very proud of it because there L earn more about the UMCOR Coffee are not many opportunities for women Program and Equal Exchange by visit- here.” UMCOR partners with the ing http://www.equalexchange.coop/ University of Minnesota to build sup- interfaith-program. port in the United States for the Eco- Palm Project, providing fair-trade palm Equal Opportunity fronds to churches for special events at Eco-Palms like Palm Sunday. The project helps to This story is courtesy of sustain forestry, protect local jobs, and Pronatura Sur A.C. preserve the livelihoods of small-scale Brigida Coutiño Espinoza, 32, lives in farmers by ensuring fair wages. the Sierra Morena community of the L earn more about the Eco-Palm Project Sepultura Biosphere Reserve, locat- by visiting www.ecopalms.org. ed in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Mexico. At age16, Brigida worked Hope in Times of Crisis with her husband in selecting and by Judith Santiago for selling palm fronds illegally—a job Prosperity Candle that only men were hired to do. Today, Mee Mee heard that the soldiers Brigida and her husband work legally were coming. She grabbed her son Mee Mee, making Prosperity Candles, for a regional organization of palm- and frantically joined the rest of wipes down the candle tins to prepare producing communities (PROPACH the villagers—all running toward them for custom labeling. S.C.), which has been steered by the the Thai-Burmese border where Photo: Judith Santiago

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the fire of life,” as heat represents SERRV: Weaving self-sufficient, a partnership was initi- troubled times. For Mee, the birth Empowerment in Rwanda ated shortly after the visit. of her daughter in the midst of dark- Adapted from SERRV’s With the help of the Kolping ness and fear was a symbol of hope Autumn 2011 Newsletter and Society, the cooperative acquired for a new life to come. used with permission. land and built a large facility with During one incident, Mee’s hus- One of my most joyous memories a meeting area, a kitchen, stor- band, running ahead to find food for is when I saw how the women of age rooms, and a vegetable garden. his family, was spotted by soldiers Jyambere Mutegarugori had, in four Every day, from 8 am until 6 pm, the and shot. The bullet shattered part short years, transformed themselves co-op members come to the center of his ribcage, leaving him severely from very poor, shy basket weavers to work. Many bring their children wounded. Yet, despite his wound, into radiant, powerful women who can with them. he hid and kept moving his family for now support their families, put their Small, low-interest loans from their the next three months. He had no children through school, afford new co-op’s bank account are available to medical care, so Mee tended to him. roofs for their houses, and raise cows members and other community resi- Mee’s husband finally became in their fields. dents, who use them for necessities strong enough to walk for five days Kerry Evans, SERRV Product Designer or small community projects. With toward a small village in Thailand. the income they earn from sales of There, the family learned the lo- In a small, remote Rwandan vil- their baskets, the women have been cation of a hospital and a refugee lage, an inspiring group of women able to improve their lives. camp. When Mee and her husband are thriving. These vibrant women of UMCOR and SERRV are formally finally arrived at the hospital, he un- Jyambere Mutegarugori (Women in collaborating to promote fair-trade derwent immediate surgery and Development) spent the last later recovered. few years working together With the help of UNHCR, Mee to build a successful handi- and her family were resettled in craft organization. Their com- West Springfield, Massachusetts. mitment to the cooperative There, Mee met Moo Kho Paw, has given them the power to another woman who emigrated change their lives and those from Myanmar and who worked at of future generations. Prosperity Candle. The organization Jyambere began in 2002 helps refugee women who have es- when the women in Muramba caped areas of conflict rebuild their village joined together to cre- lives through the art of candle mak- ate a basket-weaving co-op. Women of the Jyambere Mutegarugori Cooperative ing. Moo Kho recommended that Though they knew how to in Muramba, Rwanda. Their handicrafts are Mee join the organization, and Mee weave and made baskets sold through SERRV International. gladly accepted. for the village’s meager tour- Photo: Courtesy SERRV When you purchase handmade ist market, many also had to candles shaped by Mee, Moo Kho, work on farms for low wages to get consignment sales to congrega- and Naw (another Burmese refu- by. With their new cooperative, the tions. These sales give congregation gee woman working at Prosperity women began to make baskets as a members the opportunity to support Candle), know that you are support- group and opened a business bank poor artisans and farmers in building ing their livelihoods and helping them account. When SERRV met the group businesses that, in turn, benefit im- thrive as they rebuild their lives and in 2007 to explore the potential for a poverished communities and em- those of their family members. partnership, the women specified power women. When you buy a Prosperity their goals as securing more work L earn more about these basked weavers Candle, 10 percent of your pay- space for their members and learn- at www.Serrv.org/umcor. ment goes to support poverty-alle- ing how to export the goods they viation programs through UMCOR’s made. Since SERRV could help the Judith Santiago is the Digital Assets World Hunger and Poverty program, women in these ways, growing their Coordinator for the General Board of UMCOR Advance #982920. capacity so that they could become Global Ministries.

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 41 2/7/13 4:22 PM 42 newworldoutlook.org missionmemo

Japan’s long recovery how to Volunteer for Superstorm It is now nearly two years since a 9.0-magnitude earth- Sandy recovery quake, a massive tsunami, and a horrifying nuclear catas- Conferences heavily affected by Superstorm Sandy are trophe combined to create Japan’s worst natural disaster ready to receive long-term-recovery volunteer teams. To in modern history. Much progress toward recovery has register a UMVIM team, use the contact information list- been achieved, but for many people of Fukushima, the ed below: crisis is far from over. UMCOR has renewed its support • New York Conference: www.Nyac.com: fi ve sites for the people of Fukushima, awarding a $250,000 grant open, register online. to its international partner Church World Service, which, • Greater New Jersey Conference: www.gnjumc.org: in turn, is working with a wide range of partners to assist nine sites open, register online. in Fukushima’s long-term recovery. • Peninsula-Delaware Conference: Schedule teams A gift to International Disaster Response, UMCOR through the Disaster Response Coordinator, Rich Advance #982450, will help to support communities like Walton. They are working on the Eastern Shore of the Fukushima. Chesapeake Bay in Crisfi eld, Maryland. • West Virginia Conference: Contact Jenny Gannaway. haiti Moves Forward For more information contact your jurisdictional Three years after January 2010’s historic and devas- UMVIM coordinator. tating earthquake in Haiti, UMCOR reports that three- Support Sandy recovery work by giving to Hurricanes fourths of the 1.5 million people left homeless have 2012, UMCOR Advance #3021787. now been rehoused. To read UMCOR’s 3-year re- port on Haiti, visit http://issuu.com/umcmission/docs/ deAthS—doris davis, retired missionary with almost haiti_3rd_year_progress_report?mode=port. 28 years of service in DR Congo, died October 5, 2012... Contributions for Haiti can be sent to UMCOR nancy Sargent, retired missionary with almost 15 years Advance #418325, Haiti Response. of service in Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico, died October 20, 2012...Julia h. rose, retired deaconess with almost uMcor Supports newtown uMc 33 years of service in the United States, died October Plans are underway for future outlets for wider me- 27, 2012...laura t. hamrick, retired missionary with 15 morial contributions as the Newtown UMC continues years of service in Zimbabwe, died November 19, 2012... to serve its local community. UMCOR’s US Disaster helen westley, retired missionary with 17 years of ser- Response consultant, Mary Hughes Gaudreau, traveled vice in Nigeria and the United States, died November to Connecticut in the wake of the school shooting that 19, 2012...Allene M. Ford, retired deaconess with 23 left 20 children, 6 teachers, and two others dead, to years of service in the United States, died November help guide the church’s immediate and long-term spiri- 29, 2012...robert e. hughes, retired missionary with 6 tual and emotional care. years of service in Zimbabwe, died December 9, 2012... lyman P. taylor, retired missionary with almost 7 years uMcor’s hurricane Sandy relief receives Boost of service in Korea and Japan, died December 12, 2012... UMCOR was one of seven nonprofi t organizations to Billie Jo chapell, retired missionary with 2 years of ser- be honored last month with a $100,000 grant to ad- vice in India, died December 19, 2012...lucy gist, re- vance recovery and rebuilding on Long Island following tired deaconess with almost 39 years of service in Korea Superstorm Sandy last October. The grant was provided and the United States, died December 28, 2012...keith through the Hurricane Sandy Long Island Disaster Relief e. hamilton, retired missionary with 21 years of service campaign of Newsday Charities, a Robert R. McCormick in Bolivia, Peru, and Uruguay, died January 14, 2013... Foundation Fund. To date, United Methodists have given Frances Bray, retired missionary with almost 30 years of $6.1 million for Hurricance Sandy Relief. service in Japan, died January 23, 2013.

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 42 2/7/13 4:22 PM New World Outlook Ma rch/Ap ri l 2 01 3 43 ternative “mhealth.” Cape such ence Zimbabwe cine ery will tween this sight currently distribution The News-Stories/2012/June/Telemedicine-Improves-Global-Health health in along about examinations ing very Sudan cessful. that ment the ed I Escapades,” written by Ted and Carla Warnock, August 2012. special health projects in Africa. This excerpt was taken from “The Warnocks’ by Ted Warnock, who works with UMCOR on a Global Ministries’ missionary Traveling ferred traveled their I Malawi South its of role contribute

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Hosted by the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area on behalf of the Western Jurisdiction

Matende had been working at Matende, from a remote Biriiri A stone’s throw from Matende’s homestead, of The United Methodist Church David Matende, 77, suffered two bouts with malaria in 1992. “The rstfi time was in FebruaryI and was treated I had a severe at- Hospital. In July, at Biriiri District tack of cerebral malaria and I near- ly died,” he says. a farm that depended on irrigation systems. His duties were mainly conducted at night: “The mosqui- toes were very crafty,” he said. “The ones that transmit malaria were not noisy and I would realize that I had been bitten only when itching.” started skin my of southeast village is Harare, one ciaries ofof thethe United benefi Methodist Imagine No campaign, Malariawhich is aimed at re- ducing the number of deaths from the disease in Zimbabwe. Last the year, church distributed more in (LLINs) nets insecticidal long-lasting 21,000 than In District. Chimanimani of wards administrative six mos- more 22,000 distribute will UMCOR 2, Phase nets. quito Tabitha Makaka, 72, celebrated UMCOR’s efforts to curb malaria as she received three LLIN mos- quito nets. Her grandson, Godfrey Makaka,was 20,affected by malaria last year. Godfreyalso treated wasat Biriiri Hospital and recovered. The the wards 10 the of one in located is home Makaka Zimbabwe government sprayed with insecticides Surviving Malaria Is No Easy Task by Eveline Chikwanah, a United Methodist communicator in Zimbabwe.

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 44 2/7/13 4:22 PM Expand or build your church with a loan from UMDF. We provide first-mortgage loans for building, expanding, and renovating United Methodist churches and mission institutions. • $25,000 to $3.5 million • Amortized up to 20 years Call us at 1-800-862-8633. www.umcmission.org/umdf

Hosted by the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area on behalf of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 45 2/7/13 4:22 PM Learn how to outlive your life!

e Permanent Fund provides a permanent source of funding for the ministries of the United Methodist Church. Your estate gift truly does change the world for generations. Visit us at www.umcglobalimpact.org to receive information umcglobalimpact.org regarding how your gift can make a global impact. Rhodes Logan, Director of Development General Council on Finance and Administration [email protected] 615-369-2382

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 46 2/7/13 4:22 PM Learn how to outlive your life!

e Permanent Fund provides a permanent source of funding for the ministries of the United Methodist Church. Your estate gift truly does change the world for generations. Visit us at www.umcglobalimpact.org to receive information umcglobalimpact.org regarding how your gift can make a global impact. Rhodes Logan, Director of Development General Council on Finance and Administration [email protected] 615-369-2382

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 47 2/7/13 4:22 PM UMCOR/NWO ad_Layout12/7/133:15PMPage

0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 48 United Methodistsandfriendseverywhereareencouragedtocontinue Gifts toUMCORUndesignated,Advance#999895, As wemarkthreeyearssincea7.0magnitudeearthquake their prayersforandsolidaritywiththeHaitianpeople. devastated thenationofHaitionJanuary12,2010, Please supportUMCOR’songoingworkinHaiti, of thismagnitudeoccuratamoment’snotice. as wellthoseleftvulnerablewhendisasters go tothosewhoneedreliefthemost. www.UMCOR.org/nwo UMCOR ispart of www.umcor.org the General Board of Global Ministries 2/7/13 4:22PM

Paul Jeffrey