The African Emergency.
You may have heard of the emergency going on in Africa right now, with thousands dying every day of AIDS, treatable diseases, and hunger. Statistics can be overwhelming, and can cause us to shut down and ignore the problem because we feel helpless.
But it is actually easy to get involved and save lives.
I've created this lens to show practical ways that ordinary people can save lives in Africa every day.
Organizations That Are Saving Lives
- Blood:Water Mission
- Started by Jars of Clay, Blood:Water Mission exists to promote clean blood and clean water efforts in Africa, tangibly reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic while addressing the underlying issues of poverty, injustice and oppression. Blood:Water Mission is building clean water wells, supporting medical facilities, and focusing on community and worldview transformation, both here in America and in Africa.
I have several friends who work for BWM, and am amazed by the work they are doing. A $1 donation provides clean water for one African for one year through their 1000 Wells project. They empower people in Africa to take ownership of the wells, instead of creating or perpetuating a victim mentality. - Compassion International
- Compassion's goal is to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. They partner with local churches in 21 countries, including six African nations. Sponsoring a child provides them with educational opportunities, health care and supplemental nutrition, opportunities for safe recreation and to learn important life skills, and the chance to hear about Jesus and be encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God.
I've sponsored a child through Compassion for years, and even gone to visit projects firsthand, and can say they are an incredible ministry. They are also very fiscally responsible, so you know that the money you give will have the maximum impact.
Easy Ways To Make A Difference Right Now
Ways to save lives in less than fifteen minutes.
- Give $1 (or more) to Blood:Water Mission. Each dollar provides clean water for one year to one person in Africa.
- Sponsor a child through Compassion International. for $32 a month, and you can help provide for the well-being of one child. Compassion allows you to develop a personal relationship with your sponsored child by writing letters. As the child grows older, this is a tangible way for you to see the difference in their lives.
- Link to this page on your blog, MySpace, or other site.
Go Deeper
Ways to have even more impact.
- Host a Compassion Sunday at your church.
- Put Compassion displays and brochures at your church or workplace.
- Run a Blood:Water Mission campaign at your church or school.
- Volunteer with Blood:Water Mission.
- Become a Compassion Advocate.
Videos About Africa
Learn More With These Books
Hope in the Dark
This book includes beautiful photographs taken by Jeremy Cowart, and text from Blood:Water Mission's Jena Lee.
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/20/2008)
Too Small to Ignore: Why Children Are the Next Big Thing
One of the most powerful books I've ever read. Compassion International President Wess Stafford tells his story of growing up in Africa and the events that led him to dedicate his life to helping children around the world.
Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 07/20/2008)
Pictures From African Leadership's Mocha Club
Calvary Youth Hostel in Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya.
Calvary Youth Hostel in Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya.
The Butterfly Center in Gulu, which is refugee center for women who were capture...
Photo credit:
Our US team visits a baby orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya.
More Links
- Travels With Jena
- Blood:Water Mission Director Jena Lee's blog.
- Blood:Water Mission on MySpace
- Become Blood:Water Mission's Friend.
- Mocha Club on MySpace
- Become Mocha Club's Friend.
- My Trip With Compassion
- Read about my visit to see Compassion's work up close.
- Blood:Water Mission's Blog
- Keep up with all things Blood:Water.
About My Music
- My MySpace page
- Hear full-length songs and become my Friend.
- My official site
- Everybody has to have an Official Site, right?
- Even When My Heart Is...Blogging.
- My blog.
iTunes for Africa
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