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Africa

Kenya

• Population: 41,070,934

• GDP Per Capita: $1,600
• Official languages: English, Kiswahili
• Capital City: Nairobi

Post-election violence in 2008 coupled with the effects of the global financial crises have taken their effect on Kenya’s economy. Almost a quarter of the population live on less than a $1 a day and there are 1.5 million people living with HIV. Before Kenya can achieve sustainable development there is much need for vital reforms and the elimination of corruption.

Our response
Working with churches in the slums of Nairobi, we are training and equipping them to respond to the needs of their community, particularly around HIV and AIDS and income generation. In addition, we have a rural-based programme supporting children and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS along with an orphan reintegration programme in Nairobi, working to find homes within the community for AIDS orphans. Last year we delivered 24,323 shoeboxes to children in Kenya.

You can read more about our programme here

Liberia

• Population: 3,786,764

• GDP Per Capita: $500
• Official language: English
• Capital City: Monrovia

Liberia has recently emerged from a civil war that has crippled its economy and internal infrastructures. It is estimated that well over two-thirds of the population live on less than $1 a day. The life expectancy in Liberia is just 42 years, one of the lowest in the world. UNICEF estimates that only 31% of Liberians have access to clean water, and only 10% in rural areas. The water crisis, coupled with the lack of proper sanitation facilities, leads to increased levels of disease.

Our response
Since 2008 we have been working through local churches to provide education for women in rural Liberia where 3 out of 5 women are illiterate. The programme also teaches women the importance of livelihood development in farming areas, where 68% of the rural population live in poverty.

In addition we are working through a network of church leaders and pastors to first envision and then work through a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Envisioning Curriculum which will encourage and equip churches to partner with their communities to bring about transformational change. Last year we delivered 52,524 shoeboxes to children in Liberia.

You can read more about our Livelihoods programme and our Water programme

Mozambique

• Population: 22,948,858

• GDP Per Capita: $1000
• Official language: Portuguese
• Capital City: Maputo

While some indictors show promising achievements in development outcomes for Mozambique, poor access to clean water and sanitation remains a threat to the survival and health of many children, women, and men. In the southern Mozambique, 63% of the populations of Gaza province suffer from severe water deprivation.

Our Response
We are working through qualified national staff, community members, government, and especially local churches to improve access to potable water and improve hygiene and sanitation. Our project will be rehabilitating existing non-functioning boreholes as well as digging new boreholes where appropriate. We will also be providing latrines and training local communities in the maintenance and upkeep of the new facilities, in addition to training local educators to deliver health and hygiene education. Last year we delivered 15,497 shoeboxes to children in Mozambique.

You can read more about our programme here

Niger

• Population: 16,468,886

• GDP Per Capita: $700
• Official language: French
• Capital City: Niamey

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and also struggles with major health based issues. The agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts and up to two-thirds of people live below the poverty line (US$1.25). One-in-five children die before their fifth birthday, and the average life expectancy is just 53 years. Niger is 174 of 179 countries on the United Nations Human Index and faces an uphill struggle to maintain peace and develop much needed infrastructure.

Our Response
We are currently running a latrine project with the aim of providing villages with proper sanitation and ultimately better health. We hope to increase the access to sanitation in these villages from 16% to 85%. With access to potable water, proper sanitation, and health and hygiene education we hope to see a decrease in the prevalence of waterborne disease.

You can read more about our programme here

Rwanda

• Population: 11,370,425

• GDP Per Capita: $1,100
• Official language: Kinyarwanda
• Capital City: Kigali

Our Response
We support local churches in rural communities to care for orphans and vulnerable children impacted by HIV and AIDS and help their families set up income-generating activities.

You can read more about our programme here

Swaziland

• Population: 1,370,424

• GDP Per Capita: $4,500
• Official languages: English
• Capital City: Mbabane

Swaziland is a small country facing big issues. One in four adults live with HIV, the highest prevalence rate in the world. There is also a high risk of contracting other illnesses which contribute towards the low life expectancy, in the bottom 5 in the world at just 48 years. In recent years, more than a quarter of the population have needed emergency food aid.

Our Response
Through our HOPE (Holistic Outreach Partnership Empowerment) Programme - we aim to give local churches the encouragement, teaching and tools they need to bring lasting hope to their local community. We support the local church in its transformational ministry to respond to the needs of people in their communities, many of whom are impacted by HIV and AIDS. We also run church-based project providing care and support to families impactred by HIV. Last year we delivered 71,819 shoeboxes to children across Swaziland.

Uganda

• Population: 34,612,250

• GDP Per Capita: $1,200
• Official language: English
• Capital City: Kampala

Uganda has recently emerged from prolonged conflict and is enjoying relative stability but there are still many challenges to face. There is an HIV and AIDS epidemic that has infected 1.2 million people including 110,000 children. There are one million children (0-17) who have been orphaned by AIDS. There is also a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation in some areas, which inevitably leads to increased sickness and disease. Without intervention many households will continue to suffer illness caused by consuming unsafe drinking water. There is a high risk of contracting other diseases and life expectancy has fallen to 53 years.

Our Response
Our work is focused in the north of the country, which is currently in a stage of transition as many of the 350,000 people displaced from their homes during the war are leaving the camps and going back their villages. We are training, equipping, motivating, and supporting community and church leaders, enabling them to decrease stigma around HIV and help reduce transmissions through care and education. We are also working to supply communities with safe drinking water. A clean water supply means that the whole community is much healthier and the children, who no longer have to spend hours fetching water every day, can attend school. 

You can read more about our Water, Sanitation and hygiene programme, our Biosand water filter programme and our HIV and Aids programme.

Zimbabwe

• Population: 12,084,304

• GDP Per Capita: $400 – 3rd lowest in the world
• Official language: English
• Capital City: Harare

Political tension and massive inflation have made recent headlines, with official reports placing inflation at 2.2million percent. The reality is probably much higher. Of a population of 13million, 10million live below the poverty line. One in every three children is malnourished and one in five people live with HIV. Without access to hospitals and public services, Zimbabweans are left to fend for themselves at this very difficult time.

Our Response
We have sent 24,364 shoeboxes to be delivered to children in Zimbabwe. Previously we have provided thousands of people with more sustainable livelihoods.