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Salvation Army reaches out to communities in Africa
Tuesday 22 May 2012 I For immediate release
As Africa gears up to mark Africa Day on Friday 25 May, The Salvation Army (TSA) is continuing to make a difference in communities in several countries on the continent through its development projects.
These include a large water and sanitation programme in Kenya, a health clinic and home-based care in rural Swaziland, an income-generating project in Congo Brazzaville, and an initiative to combat human trafficking in South Africa.
In Kenya, about 10 000 children in 40 schools are benefitting from the WASH programme, a large water, sanitation and hygiene project that is being implemented by TSA in that country. Funding and technical support for this project is being received from TSA in Sweden and Switzerland.
The outreach includes setting up rain-water harvesting systems, increasing access to drinking water for the children, and constructing latrines. Educational programmes on hygiene for the boys and girls and school staff is making the children more aware of minimum hygiene standards.
In Swaziland, TSA’s Swaziland Community Care Programme is providing much-needed basic medical services, primary health care and home-based care to a large number of people who would otherwise not have access to such services.
What began in 1991 as an HIV/AIDS education and prevention initiative now offers services through a main clinic in Mbabane, a satellite clinic in Mbuluzi and a weekly mobile clinic in the Nsukumbili/Dlangeni area.
Last year, 55 trained carers provided home-based care to 145 patients under this project.
The volunteers often travel long distances on foot to reach their homes. Khanyisile Dlamini, for example, walks for six kilometers three times a week through rugged terrain to visit her 37-year old patient who has been bed-ridden for the past ten years due to her illness. The care she provides is the only medical assistance and support that her patient receives.
In Congo Brazzaville, a Salvation Army officer is responding to the need for income generation and food security.
When Major Gode Mouanda was appointed as Corps Officer in the city of Pointe Noire, the main port city of Brazzaville, he noticed that many young people in his community were unemployed and had few prospects for their future. As a result, he started a simple chicken- and duck-raising programme, using his own funds and contributions from the community as start-up.
He taught the young people how to raise chickens and start-up their own small income-generating businesses. This not only allowed the young people to have a small income, but also enabled them and their families to have access to eggs and meat.
Major Mouanda was able to assist 30 people in this way. Ten of the students have since accessed loans to buy land.
In South Africa, a 24-hour toll-free hotline operated by TSA is making a contribution to the fight against trafficking of women and children.
The hotline provides a platform for anyone with tip-offs on suspected human trafficking cases to report them to The Salvation Army, which in turn refers them to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation.
Since the inception of this hotline, 08000 RESCU (08000 73728), the church has received several calls related to possible cases of human trafficking.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.
The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through approximately 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.
ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY
Media Contact: Ruth Coggin
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 082-903-5819
E-mail: click here to email Ruth Coggin
Client Contact: Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
E-mail: click here to email Major Carin Holmes
