Human needs ministries

Helping nomads rebuild their herds and lives

In a part of East Asia known for brutal winter weather, some nomadic families lost entire herds of livestock -- and their livelihoods -- when extreme wind-driven snowstorms swept across their homeland. In the aftermath, outbreaks of “hoof and mouth” disease killed even more animals in other herds. Without these herds, many nomads leave their tent-homes and move to the city in search of work. Unable to find jobs, they often become completely impoverished. Humanitarian workers plan to give 20 nomadic families a fresh start on new lives and remain with their families. Using resources from the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund, each family will be given 10 sheep and 10 goats -- and sign a contract to return the same number of animals over three years so other families can be helped. The workers ask friends to pray that these animals will be healthy and multiply quickly to replenish the herds. Pray that hearts will be touched by the love of God and families will experience the new lives Jesus wants to give them.

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Rescued from brothel slavery

An investigative team rescuing girls from brothel slavery in South Asia is troubled by conditions in the aftercare and government homes where the girls were taken. When they retired, the couple invested in a two-story rescue home on a quiet street where girls could be given the physical, emotional, social, educational, and spiritual help each child needs to become all God created her to be. Seven Sisters Home promotes healing and wholeness for girls affected by trafficking and sexual abuse. You can read more by clicking here.

Battling alcoholism in rural India

Rapid social changes in rural India have been accompanied by a dramatic increase in alcoholism, causing related increases in family and social problems: domestic violence, household expenditures, indebtedness, marital discord, psychological and emotional trauma and increase risk of physical injuries, death and disability. At the same time, community awareness and addiction recovery services are practically non-existent in rural areas.

In response to this need, Southern Baptist humanitarian partners worked with the Community Health Department of Bangalore Baptist Hospital to launch RESTORE, a community-based program that seeks to sensitize school children, youth and adults on the ill effects of alcohol, as well as provide de-addiction services and counseling for individuals and families.

In the program's first year, three alcohol de-addiction camps were conducted that involved more than 110 people from 25 villages. The program was so well received community members, village leaders, police authorities and health officials asked that it be extended to other villages. The initiative is being renewed for 2013-14, with a goal of helping at least 250 individuals with counseling, de-addiction and rehabilitation services. An emphasis will be placed on awareness programs for school children and youth and advocacy through women and youth groups.

Gift Norman, director of community health and family medicine at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, asks friends to pray that lives would be transformed by God's love through this effort.

"Please pray for the healing and recovery of all the alcoholic patients of the project," Dr. Norman said. "Ask God to give strength and wisdom as our team steps in to serve the community. Pray there will be strong support and cooperation from the community."

You can help Southern Baptist human needs ministries like these by donating to the IMB's General Relief Fund.

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Human needs ministries offer Southern Baptist missionaries the opportunity to love God and their neighbor by combining spiritual and physical assistance.

All human needs projects:

  • have an intentional spiritual strategy and share the Gospel.
  • have Southern Baptist personnel who are a part of the community or remain in contact with the community being served.
  • involve local input and expertise to help personnel assess needs and establish goals that make sense culturally, economically and efficiently.
  • have accountability measures.

 

Donate today
The World Hunger Fund and General Relief Fund are not supported by either the Cooperative Program or the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your gift will enable us to continue meeting many of the human needs around the world.

World Hunger Fund
Minister to people in need when you give through the World Hunger Fund, designed to aid in community development and disaster response. Go here to donate.

General Relief Fund
The General Relief Fund provides blankets, tents, plastic sheeting, reconstruction materials and transportation costs during crisis situations as well as non food-related needs in development projects. Go here to donate.

To donate, please make your check payable to the International Mission Board and write World Hunger and/or General Relief Funds on the memo line of your check. Mail to:

International Mission Board

Attn: Finance/World Hunger and/or General Relief Funds
PO Box 6767
Richmond, VA 23230

Disaster Response
Southern Baptists are mobilizing to provide disaster relief to areas affected by recent natural disasters. Give to help victims of disasters through our SBC partner, Baptist Global Response.


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