Five Talents International announces new microcredit program in Sudan

Somehow I missed this story from the Anglican Communion Network in November on the Five Talents Ministry, something Bishop Martyn Minns talked about in my interview with him for AnglicanTV and where he serves as Chairman Emeritus.

Vienna, Virginia — Five Talents International announced today it will be funding an innovative microcredit program in southern Sudan, an area that is transitioning from the ravages of more than 20 years of war. Almost three years after a peace agreement, hundreds of thousands are still internally displaced and others who have found a home are looking to rebuild their shattered lives.

Working with a consortium of partners including the Episcopal Church of Sudan, Five Talents will be assisting a village banking project in Wau Diocese, which was started in September 2005, and currently has 270 members. This is one of the first projects of this type in southern Sudan.

“We have a Christian imperative to reach those who are living in extreme conditions,” said Craig Cole, executive director of Five Talents International. “Life must get better for those affected by generations of war. Creating jobs is one way to transform these communities.”

The services provided through this project will include adult education (beginning with literacy training), local savings mobilization, business development training, Biblical values in the marketplace training, small business development investing and rural microcredit provision.

“This program starts by teaching fundamentals and, over time, members build on those fundamentals and are able to support their families through businesses,” said Suzanne Schultz, Five Talents International Director of Program.

Five Talents’ invitation to participate in this consortium, which includes World Concern, World Relief, Economic Projects Trust Fund of the Navigators, Stromme Foundation and Integra Foundation, was based on Five Talents’ experience and knowledge in working with church leaders, ability to increase capacity within these types of projects, and experience with business-skills curriculum relevant to beginning entrepreneurs.

“Because of the turmoil, many organizations are not working on the foundations for long-term development,” Cole said. “We are one of a few organizations attempting to rebuild the economy and communities’ ability to be self sufficient.”

Five Talents hopes this program will be a model that can be expanded and replicated into other parts of the Wau Diocese and across Sudan, if funding is found. . .

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What goes around comes around

From OPFOR:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071026-01
October 26, 2007

Iraqi Army at Besmaya Installation Support San Diego Fire Victims
By U.S. Army Sgt 1st Class Charlene Sipperly
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Members of the Iraqi Army in Besmaya collected a donation for the San Diego, Calif., fire victims Thursday night at the Besmaya Range Complex in a moving ceremony to support Besmaya's San Diego residents.

Iraqi Army Col. Abbass, the commander of the complex, presented a gift of $1,000 to U.S. Army Col. Darel Maxfield, Besmaya Range Complex officer in charge, Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, to send to the fire victims in California.

The money was collected from Iraqi officers and enlisted soldiers in Besmaya. In a speech given during the presentation, Col. Abbass stated that he and the Iraqi soldiers were connected with the American people in many ways, and they will not forget the help that the American government has given the Iraqi people. Abbass was honored to participate by sending a simple fund of $1,000 to the American people in San Diego, to lower the suffering felt by the tragedy.

Read it all.
H/t to Gateway Pundit.

Doctor helps change Ugandan healthcare

From CBN News, a reminder that it's individuals doing God's work that make a difference:

In Uganda's capital of Kampala, one American doctor with the help of Duke University is helping to revolutionize the Ugandan health care system.

Neurosurgeon Michael Haglund felt a burden to help when he heard about the tough working conditions at the local hospital.

"There's a verse in Proverbs 19 that says that if you help the poor you're lending to God and God will bless you for that," Dr. Haglund said. "Well, in doing this, I really feel like we're lending to the poor people of Eastern Africa that don't have the where-with-all to get the medical supplies or surgery or anything like that."

Duke University was able to gather up all its surplus equipment and medicine.

Along with the help of Operation Blessing, they shipped nearly nine tons of it to Kampala.

The hospital will go from having only one ventilator for 1,500 patients to having nine.

Dr Haglund, along with a specialized team from Duke, will be holding training seminars so the Ugandans will be able to sustain the work when the Americans leave.