The Forgotten War Engage globally, grow your Church

8/9/2019 The Forgotten War Engage globally, grow your Church

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July 2009

The ForgottenWar

Engage globally,grow your

ChurchIdentity

Postcardsfrom the field

How you

can help


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r e n

Photo:McKaySavage


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3 LetterfromtheDirector

4 UnitingWorldNews

6 CHURCHSOLIDARITY

6 SriLanka,thestoryconti

nues

8 Engageglobally,growyourchurch

10 SlumdogMillionaireand

theNewIndia

11 AmieDural

12 EXPERIENCE

12 Postcardsfromthefield

13 Youcanhelp

13 Currentfundingneed

14 RELIEFANDDEVELOPMENT

14 ANewName,AUniting

Vision

14 LentEvent

15 Identity

16 Trustandsee

18 ProjectUpdatesandNew

s

18 Zimbabwetimeline

19 AppealUpdates

20 PEACEMAKING

20 Peaceprogramupdates

20 HelaRegionUnitesforP

eace

21 Joysplansfor2009

21 WorkingintheConflictZ

one;IndiaandPakistan

Coverimage:MeenaKadri,

www.flickr.com/photos/me

anestindian

GraphicDesign:BoheemDe

sign,www.boheem.com.au

ThisAnnualReportisprintedonEnviro

care,a100%recycledstock

whichuses

65%post-consumerwaste.

ItisalsoaccreditedtoFSCstandardswhichmea

ns

bestpracticeshavebeenus

ed.

JULY 2009


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Rev. Dr Kerry EnrightNational Director

[email protected]

Kathy PereiraAssociate Director

Experience

[email protected]

Rev. John BarrAssociate Director

Church Solidarity (Asia)

[email protected] MullanAssociate Director

Church Solidarity (Pacific)

[email protected]

The decision was made by the Assembly

Standing Committee in late 2008 on

recommendations from a year long process

of consultation, prayer and deliberation.

UnitingWorld encompasses all the programs

of the former UIM and UCOA including

Young Ambassadors for Peace and People

in Mission. All our work is embodied in our

four program areas - Church Solidarity,Experience, Relief and Development

and Peacemaking.

Were very excited about our new name,

logo and unified identity. Weve also made

a few changes for this issue of UnitingWorld

magazine that we hope youll enjoy.

Correction:In our last issue a story entitled Knox Grammar travelsto Lelehudi appeared, about a group of boys from

Knox Grammar traveling to a village in PNG.The Headmaster of Knox was incorrectly referred to in thisarticle as the Principal and she. The Headmaster of KnoxGrammar is John Weeks and the Head of Christian Studiesand Social Justice is Helen Clarke. After visiting Lelehudiwith his wife and Helen Clarke in November 2007, JohnWeeks felt confident that a partnership with the communitywould be of benefit to the students and that they could visitthere with safety. Helen then arranged and led the boys onthe inaugural trip in July 2008.

UnitingWorld apologises for the confusion.

A new name, a new look,a renewed commitment

UnitingWorld Staff

Rob FloydAssociate Director

Relief and Development

[email protected]

Rev. Laurie FitzgeraldAssociate Director


[email protected]

Joy BalazoAssociate Director

[email protected]

Bryan CussenPacific Project Officer


[email protected]

Rob LuttonCommunity Relationships

Manager

[email protected]

Amy GoodhewCommunications Coordinator

[email protected]

Elle ShepherdCommunication Officer


[email protected]

Weve switched our format from

landscape to portrait. This change allows

us to use paper that is 100% recycled,

uncoated and cheaper. Weve made some

changes to the style of the magazine in

keeping with our new logo.

At UnitingWorld, we have the honor

of working closely with our partners

and sharing in their struggles. We see

mothers struggling to provide for their

children, fathers bent under the burden

of finding a job where there are none

and whole communities crying out

for justice.

We also see Australian churches seeking

connection and to share Christs love.

We invite you to join with us in connecting

communities for life.

In this issue youll read stories that may

horrify, challenge or energise you. All come

directly from our experiences with our

partners and all are issues that you candirectly engage with.

We welcome your feedback andthoughts, email us any time [email protected]

Sharyn RobinsonSchools and Community Liaison


[email protected]

Amy ElizesDonor Liaison Officer

[email protected]

Sarah ChessonExecutive Assistant

[email protected]

Russell GrovesCompliance Officer

[email protected]

This is the first issue of our UnitingWorld magazine under our new name.Uniting International Mission (UIM) and Uniting Church Overseas Aid (UCOA)officially made the switch to one name, UnitingWorld on the 11th March 2009.

Office news: We welcomed Bruce Mullan, Associate Director (Pacific).

We welcomed Elle Shepherd, Communication Officerfor Relief and Development programs.

We welcomed Bryan Cussen, Pacific Project Officerfor Relief and Development programs.

We said goodbye to Hannah Hoskin, CommunicationOfficer for Uniting Church Overseas Aid.

On March 11 we officially made the switch to ournew name UnitingWorld.

February 24 saw the beginning of Lent and Lent Event.

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I saw this startlingly enacted many years ago.

In the early 80s I studied in the United States. Ronald Reagan was

the US President. Chernenko was the Soviet President. It was still

the Cold War. There was still an Iron Curtain. Nuclear weapons faced

off, held at bay by the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction.

During this era, one Sunday in a US Church, I witnessed a baptism

into the body of Christ. A couple of weeks later in the Soviet UnionI witnessed a baptism into the same body of Christ in an Orthodox

Church in St Petersburg. At that moment these two people, divided

by ideology, language, culture, politics, distance and war became

brothers and sisters in the most profound way.

Such relationships mean we laugh with those who laugh, and cry with

those who cry. We stand with those who suffer and work to alleviate

the poverty of people dying from hunger and thirst. We welcome each

other and open ourselves to their perspectives and experience. Christ

connects us with them for life.

This by-line connecting communities for l ife represents

a new focus for UnitingWorld, of working more intentionally

with Australian church communities.

What UnitingWorld does is driven by our belief about

who people are together in Jesus Christ. It flows frombelieving that Christ connects people and communitiesat levels deeper than what might ever divide us.

Over the last two years, we have enabled a number of congregations,

agencies and schools to partner communities overseas. Over the

next three years that will become a major part of how we function. We

are developing a methodology and resources to multiply partnerships

across the whole Church. We intend to start small so we can learn

well and so those with whom we work can become advocates.

At the core and what sustains the effort is the belief that this is how

Jesus meant us to live, connected as individuals and communitiesand that we need to receive that gift from him afresh.

Such relationships change us. As this focus develops, you will hear

stories of overseas partners as usual, and new stories of what

difference it has made to Australian communities.

A connection UnitingWorld has made is much in mind at present. The

leaders of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, President Ame

Tugaue, General Secretary Tuikilakila Waqairatu and Deputy General

Secretary Tevita Banivanua are trying to deal diplomatically with the

military dominated interim government. This is despite provocative

action from the government and a strong sense of injustice among

many Methodist members. UnitingWorld stands in solidarity with

our partner and we are advocating the Australian government andour other Pacific church partners to act in support of the Methodist

Church in Fiji and Rotuma.

Over these last weeks, my faith has been inspired by how these three

remarkable Christians are seeking to live out their faith. It sparks my

passion to see our new vision for UnitingWorld realised: Transformed

communities where peace and justice reign and poverty is alleviated,

reflecting our hope and life in Jesus Christ.

We celebrate how the risen Christ continues to turn hearts, overturn

systems, connect lives and lift people trapped in poverty. We pray

ourselves to be part of it, with you.

from the national director

Kerry Enright National Director

.

anewname:aunitingvision

LetterfromKerryEnright

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South Australia andQueensland celebratelaunch of UnitingWorldIn March and April this year members of Spicer

Uniting Church in Adelaide and Indooroopilly Uniting

Church in Brisbane gathered to mark the launch of

UnitingWorld. Celebrations included presentations,

a round table meeting, question time and prayer.

National Director Kerry Enright thanked those present for

their rich contribution to the overseas work of the Uniting

Church and expressed our desire to re-energise the global

engagement of our denomination.

He said, In recent years, the Church rightly emphasised the

local nature of mission. Today God is renewing the global

spirit in us as we sense how deeply Christ connects us

beyond the local thats why the name is Uniting, and its

global, not just local, so its UnitingWorld.

We want to support you in enthusing your friends, your

congregation, your communities for this engagement.

We ask you for your support, your prayers, your interest

and your contact.

UnitingWorld

ew

new websiteAs part of our new name and structure,UnitingWorld has also launched a newwebsite. Our new site can be viewed atwww.unitingworld.org.au and providescomprehensive information on ourprojects, church partners, the countriesin which we work as well as resourcesfor your engagement.

If you have any suggestions for what youwould like to see on the new site pleaseemail [email protected]

Connected for Lifewith the United Churchin the Solomon IslandsWhen NewLife Uniting Church in Robina QLD appealed for funds

for Helena Goldie Hospital in the Solomon Islands they were

thrilled when their target of $30,000 was exceeded with $70,000

given at final tally. These funds will enable the construction of a

house on hospital grounds that will be used for training hospital

and community health staff.

Lead Minister at NewLife, Stuart Cameron said The great gift

to me in our partnership with the United Church in the Solomon

Islands is to be inspired by people who are so resource poor by

comparison with us but so rich in God in the way they live out

their faith 24/7.

Our relationship with the Church in the Solomon Islands

has developed around relationships, around connections

and around conversation. We have been involved in a coupleof trips to the Solomon Islands and also hosted visitors from

the Solomon Islands to our congregation. Weve been involved

in each others worship services, met in small groups, had

meals together and talked about different challenges we

face in proclaiming the gospel in our countries.

We have laughed together. We have cried together. We have

sung together. We have prayed together. We have done life

together and that is what partnership is about. And as we

have done that we begin to learn from one another.

If your congregation in interested in exploringpartnership directions please contact

Uniting World +61 2 8267 4267

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UnitingWorld lobbies CanberraThis March, UnitingWorld, the ACTU and other civil

society leaders met with Australian parliamentary and

government leaders in Canberra to ask for a fair go

on trade talks with Pacific nations. By Bruce Mullan

On a recent visit to the Solomon Islands

I watched hundreds of happy children

heading for class at the KokeqoloCommunity School. Here a small team

of teachers deliver education with few

resources, inadequate facilities and

limited professional preparation. Children

like Joseph, who I met in Kokeqolo, are

a reminder of the severe impact a free

trade agreement will have.

Under the agreement it is estimated that

the Solomon Islands government will lose

up to $31 million Solomon Dollars annually

in tariffs currently collected on imports from

Australia and NZ. The question must be

asked, how will they continue to pay their

teachers and provide basic health and

education services to the community?

Motivated by children like Joseph and our

commitment to stand in solidarity with our

partner churches I was part of a delegation

that met with Parliamentary Secretary

(Pacific Island Affairs) Duncan Kerr and key

advisors for Trade Minister Simon Crean

and Parliamentary Secretary (InternationalDevelopment Assistance) Bob McMullan.

As Australia and New Zealand engage in

PACER Plus round of trade negotiations

with Pacific nations both countries

are working hard to persuade Pacific

governments of the advantages of their

approach.

UnitingWorlds view is that the Australian

and New Zealand governments are

operating like free trade evangelists and

it appears that only civil society groups

including the church are presenting

alternative views.

We have developed a policy paper on

trade justice and in July will request the

Assembly adopt this paper as the basis

for representations and advocacy. The

paper points out that while trade offers

opportunities to foster human development,

an unrestrained international trade system

potentially will leave the poorest and most

vulnerable behind.

UnitingWorld encourages you and your

community to advocate for fair tradeagreements and for trade negotiations

to take account of Pacific Island realities.

You can download a copy of thepaper at www.unitingworld.org.au.

UnitingWorld news

FACT:

Overseas aid by richcountries fell 8.4 percent

last year from 2006.

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Her community is now a united one andmaintains an ongoing relationship with

her birthplace. Some of us went back

to volunteer our services to rebuild our

war torn homeland, during the short lived

ceasefire. We re-united with families and

made wonderful new friendships. Although

Shiranee is now back in Australia she has

not escaped the pain of the latest conflict

in Sri Lanka. We dont know how many

of these people have survived the recent

onslaught. We believe that well over 50,000

Tamils were killed and 40,000 maimed

during the past four months alone. We areappalled at the conditions under which

survivors are held - conditions likened to

Nazi concentration camps. Many of the

Tamil Australians have lost loved ones in the

war or have friends or family now in camps,

suffering untold hardship.

Shiranee was one of over 4,000 Australian

Tamils gathered at a memorial service in

Sydneys Martin Place on Sunday 24 May

After fleeing race related

violence in Sri Lanka Shiranee

Pararajasingham and her family

have been members of the

Strathfield Homebush Parish

of the Uniting Church inAustralia for 26 years. She was

among many Tamils who arrived

in Australia as a result of the

anti-Tamil pogrom of July

1983. We were a traumatised

community struggling to find

our feet while anxious about

those we had left behind

she said. By Amy Goodhew

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Chu ch r t r n t o ug t abe .. h a up t urc fe

r o r , o e e w unit ..

T e n r ch rch r lat hi l work itin o d t rt o e o.So r latio s are ver 10 r o rm a n e i nal nt m b ee e t ng

C n i Australia a tho e of o r artne s. Uniti advo n beha r artner

n t e s t taf ct them d throu e rese ting them, nsf r both e m ti sand urs ves.

to honour slain Tamils. We stood there

unable to speak or acknowledge each other,

steeped in sorrow for the many thousands of

lives lost and our homeland now under army

occupation she said.

The horror of the civil war experienced

by Shiranee and many more in Sri Lankamay be over but for thousands of civilians

displaced by the war, their struggle to survive

continues. The Uniting Church in Australia

has links with Sri Lanka through partnerships

with local churches and Sri Lankan members

of the Uniting Church in Australia. Many of

these partner churches are serving in regions

impacted by the war. Church members and

clergy have been detained by the Sri Lankan

military. They have lost family members and

their stories are heartbreaking.

In response to this deepening crisis,

UnitingWorld has launched an emergencyappeal for Sri Lanka and has sent an initial

$25k for immediate relief for the estimated

250,000 people trapped in welfare camps.

The camps suffer poor sanitation and

shortages of food, water and shelter. Many

have described these centres as detention

camps as there is no freedom of movement

beyond them. Those in camp suspected of

ties to the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have been

removed by the army and have not been

seen since.

Funds raised will provide essential food and

equipment, pastoral support and medicalsupplies. We are also seeking to establish

emergency accommodation to provide a

day care service, meals, counselling and

equipment to displaced communities.

Relief and Development Associate Director

Rob Floyd says Supplies will provide for

approx. 4,500 people for one to two weeks

but continued uncertainty means that more

assistance is urgently needed.

DonateYou can donate via the websitewww.unitingworld.org.au , or call 1800 998 122

AdvocateThe Hon Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairshas said we [can] help the Sri Lankan government,the Sri Lankan people achieve an enduring, lastingpeace you can write to the Minister to register yoursupport of this stance and your ongoing concern.

PrayThe UnitingWorld website has prayer resources forSri Lanka provided by the Christian Conference of Asia.

*Names have been withheld to protect thosein the conflict zone.

church solidarity

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Want to see your church experience a deepened understanding of Christ and

His call on our lives? Ready to be invigorated as you learn from others journeys,

and seek to give without expecting anything in return? By Rob Lutton

engage globally,grow your church

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church solidarity

3.Intentionally Livingthe Acts 1:8 VisionMost Australian churches embrace the

Acts 1:8 call to do mission to those in our

own culture (Jerusalem), those somewhat

different in culture and social standing

(Judea) and to people of very different

cultural expressions (Samaria). We sink a

lot of time, money and energy into this call.

But its the ends of the earth bit that can

get us stuck. Were happy to give to a bit

here and there, but if a mission worker

from our church is finishing their time in

a particular country, then our giving and

praying for that cultural group often endswith them. I wonder that if we were to truly

embrace a particular country and church

partner, as per the Acts 1:8 vision, our

commitment to continuing that focus would

not waiver with the transition of staff.

What an opportunity we have: to look

beyond our own backyard and connect

intentionally on a global scale. By giving

sacrificially of ourselves and learning from

our overseas partners, we allow Christ to

shape our own lives, to reveal to us how

our consumer-cum-celebrity culture isstifling His mission. Thankfully, our lives

will never be the same.

If your church is interestedin forming a partnershipwith a church overseas,contact UnitingWorld.

1.Being Other-CentredA key longing of any Minister or church

leader is to instill within the people of faith

a focus upon those outside the Church and

to equip them for this task. This is of course

Christs calling on us: to love as he loved

to give as he gave to go to others as he

came to us.

In the last 15 years, some leaders have

viewed global mission as a distraction from

the local task. But, refreshingly, mission

in local and global forms is again being

celebrated as one of the primary core

values of the church. Indeed, new leaders

are actively looking for an integration of the

local and the global as they engage the

biblical framework afresh.

When an Australian community has a

deep, mutually enriching partnership with

an international partner church, it has the

potential to breathe into their culture a

wonderful other-centredness. There is a

commitment to the partner church and the

issues they face, with no view to a return

on investment. We love as Christ loves.

2.Exposure to NewWays of BeingRelated to this other-centredness

is the change in us that comes from

close connection.

Some years ago as a Pastor, I led a short-

term team to Papua New Guinea. We

found that even though the Papuans lived

in a context of great simplicity and poverty,

they were filled with amazing happiness.As a team, we grappled with the need to

be more relational in our approach to life

and witness and considered whether our

thankfulness for the gospel was diminished

due to our materialism. We took these

challenges back to our church in Australia

and saw many lives, and indeed the culture

of the church, significantly impacted.

Australian culture has become so diverse

that a one-size-fits-all approach to

mission can no longer cut it. As Australian

churches, we have the opportunity to

learn from our partner churches overseas:

to discover and integrate their creative

approaches to witnessing and bringing

justice and peace.

UnitingWorld is on this everyjourney: discovering howgenuine partnerships that areconnecting communities inAustralia with those overseas,is genuinely transforminglives and entire churches. Itsas simple and profound asfocusing on others, learningnew ways of doing church andseeking to give expression tothe Kingdom of God in placesnear and far.

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ONE OBSERVER SAID THE FILM HAS

A FRESHNESS WHICH PORTRAYS A

CHANGING INDIA, with great realism, as

a land of self-makers, where the scruffy son

of the slums can, solely of his own effort,

hoist himself up, flout his origins,

break with fate.

Others are less affirming,suggesting the film portrays

India negatively. The West

loves to see us as a wasteland,

filled with horror stories of exploitation and

degradation said one Indian critic. This is

a stereotypical white mans imagined

India said another. Its not quite snake

charmers, but its close, its a poverty tour.

The term slumdog has also inflamed

reactions among slum dwellers. In Mumbai,

posters were displayed saying I am not a

dog. Meanwhile activists claim the movie is

offensive, demeaning and insulting. Sadly,

the term slumdog is now being used as

a slur against Indians living overseas.

Is Slumdog Millionairea fair representation

of modern India? Few people would doubt

that India is making its mark these days.

The worlds largest democracy and the

worlds second largest population cannot

be ignored. Economic growth exceeding

9% in recent years has created an increase

in living standards and India is now a

global player in information technology,

telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.

Meanwhile, India does face massive

problems with 300 million untouchables

and 70 million tribals locked into a cycle of

endemic poverty. Landless farm labourersstill toil under oppressive conditions for a

very meagre wage and religious minorities

continue to be brutally persecuted.

slumdog millionaire

and the new Indial , dog Milli naire, s o ed e e a s r2008. Ho ev , t re en ed rea tions. y J n rr

Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation

of modern India? Few people would doubtthat India is making its mark these days.

Within the South Asia region India takes

its place as a nuclear state alongside

Pakistan. Unresolved conflicts in Kashmir,

recent bomb attacks in Mumbai and fears

about Pakistans ability to deal with serious

internal conflicts are creating

significant regional tensions.

The war in Sri Lanka and the

fate of Tamil communities, who

have strong links with South

India, adds to the situation.

There is a complex juxtaposition

here involving poverty and wealth, tradition

and modernity, social harmony and the

constant possibility of war.

Refusing to see Indias future in terms

of pure chance or good luck, the Church

of North India, the Church of South India

and the Presbyterian Church of India are

making constructive contributions to Indias

future. These churches advocate on behalfof Indias minorities, they provide education

and medical services to marginalized

communities, they train young people to

serve as future leaders and they offer a

model of unity as barriers of caste, class,

ethnicity and religion are broken down.

Photo: McKay Savage

Slumdog Millionaire offers aninsight into modern India. Butthere is much more to this country.Our partner churches are integralto the changes taking place.

This is a critical witness and theUniting Church works in solidaritywith these churches to enablecommunities across India to havea real future in this great country.

FACT:Australia and Indiaare both members ofthe Commonwealth

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AFTER NCYC, AMY GOODHEWSAT DOWN WITH AMIE.

What are the biggest challengesyour community faces?

Persecution. Religious leaders and workers

became victims of unjust detention,

torture and murder during the Marcos

dictatorship. These human rights breaches

are happening again at a time when the

government claimed there is vibrant

democracy in the Philippines. The majority

of the victims belong to the United Church

of Christ in the Philippines.

Anyone who speaks out and advocates

for meaningful social change is seen as

a threat. Many have been murdered.

UN reports and others held the military

responsible. But no one has been seriously

investigated or convicted.

How does God work inyour community?

When a pair of shackled feetcannot walk, God mobilizes others to walk

for another mans/ womans freedom.

Was the message from the Guerrero family

(the family of the kidnapped and detained

Pastor Berlin Guerrero) as prayers, letters

of support and solidarity actions flowed

within the Philippines and from Australia,

Canada and other places around the world

when Pastor Berlin was unjustly detained.

What are your hopes?

For the churches to continue and

strengthen their relationships with thecommunities that have been broken by

unjust socio-economic order, military

aggression, cultural discrimination and

political corruption.

profile:

Amie Dural

AMIE DURAL WOWED YOUNG AUDIENCES ATNATIONAL CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONVENTION09 WITH HER VIBRANCY AND STORIES OFFAITH AND JUSTICE.

She has led an extraordinary life. After her husband spoke

out about human rights abuses in the Philippines two yearsago, he was forced to flee to New Zealand, leaving Amie and

their new son behind in Manila. Their emotional reunion

just before NCYC signalled the extent of their commitmentto the gospel. Amie worked for an inter-church agency

that included the Uniting Churchs partner, the United

Church of Christ in the Philippines. Now in New Zealand

until it is safe for the family to return, Amie continues toprovide UnitingWorld with background information about

the Philippines. We use that information in our interaction

with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the

Minister of Foreign Affairs and others.

Amies help goes with UnitingWorlds increased

engagement with the Philippines. Through our Experience

program, Elizabeth Mullan from Wesley Canberra willbe working with a Manila congregation on community

development among people living on one of Manilas

massive rubbish dumps. We are also exploring our firstdevelopment programs there, alongside the existing

Young Ambassadors for Peace work.

:

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church solidarity

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3. R0BERTJETTAANDR0BERTASTANLEYIn2008,initialdiscussionswereheldbetweenUnitingWorldandRichardWallacefromUAICCNationalLeadershipTrainingProgram-Yalga-binbiInstituteforCommunityDevelopment,aboutpotentiallinksbetweenUnitingWorldExperienceandworkwithindigenouscommunities.Asaresult,wearesharinginanInSolidarity(shorttermcrossculturalexchange)experiencewithourchurchpartnersinTonga.ThisvisitwilltakeplaceinMaywithRichardWallace,RobertJettaandRobertaStanley,accompanied

byKathyPereira(ExperiencePrograms)andBruceMullan

(ChurchSolidarityPacific).Theywillbespendingtendayssharing firsthandinthecrisisministryworkoftheFreeWesleyanChurchinTonga.WorkingalongsideourpartnerswewillbesharingintheministrytoDeportees,streetgirlsandsinglemothers,LifelineTongaandotherprogrammes.

Experience placements (formerly known as People in Missionplacements) are the ultimate learning opportunity. Experienceprograms provide the chance to spend time working witha partner church in a mission or development placement.

Placements can range from just a fewweeks to commitments spanning years, beundertaken as an individual or as part of ateam. Each placement is unique and shapedby the needs of the host community but allaim to build the capacity of communities.

Placements are available in Asia, Africa andthe Pacific and require a variety of differentskills to assist the host community.

Placements are life changing experiencesthat challenge and immeasurably enrich boththe communities and individuals involved.

4.WillYOUbethe

nextVolunteer?

postcards from the field

Are YOU able to serve? These Critical Placements are ready right now for

interested volunteers. Please consider taking up one of these important opportunities:

1. Architect/Architectural Draftsperson urgently needed to facilitate a training

course at Tupou Tertiary Institute in Nukualofa, Tonga. 3-12 months commitment or

longer needed.

2. Librarian or teacher able to work in a Library urgently needed for 2 theologicalcollege libraries in the Pacific (Tonga and Fiji). 6-12 month commitment needed.

3. Youth work - you will assist in developing the capacity of local people to develop

programs that engage young people in the life of the church. They are ready and

willing to explore and try new ideas that connect with young people. 3-12 month

commitment needed.

. R0

1.GARYANDLYNW

ALLIS

TheparentsinIndiawould

give

anythingfortheirchildrent

ohave

aneducation.TheHostelg

irlsare

chosenfromapplicationso

fchildren

fromthepoorestvillages.T

hey

havetodoanentranceexa

mand

theoneswhodothebestg

etofferedaplace.Alltheg

irlsare

sponsoredbythechurch.

Everymorningat6:00am

andeveningat6:30pmthe

girlsgather

forprayer.Thisisselfdirec

tedbythegirlsandinvolve

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Biblereading,messagefro

mthereading,moresinging

,then

prayerforeachother,their

families,theschoolandsta

ffandany

otherneedsthatarise.

Dona,anartistandaministrycandidateatTrinityTheologicalCollegeinBrisbane,hasrecentlyreturnedfromatenweekfieldeducationplacementexperienceinKiribati.Donasharedwithus,inherfinalweekofthisplacement:Here,wearecountingthedays,andwecantbelievethefinal

weekishere.Iamfilledwithmixedfeelingsofwonder,gratitude,amazement,sadnessandalsoexcitementatthethoughtofmyreturn.Thepreschoolfamiliesaregivingmeafarewellfeasttomorrow.Thatisgoingtobeabitsad.ThankyouforyourprayerseveryoneIbelieveIexperiencethepowerofyourprayersdaily.

2.D0NASPENCER

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Leslene Woodward $5,000 required for 6 months

Leslene is an amazing woman who has been

developing the Library at Tamil Nadu Theological

College in India. Having come to the end of this time,

Leslene is keen to finish her mission service

by using these gifts in Kiribati, where she will be

working on Library development at Tangitebu

Theological College.

Daryl and Eleanor Burford $5,000 needed for 3 months

Daryl and Eleanor are planning to spend a minimum

of 3 months sharing with our partner church in Papua

New Guinea in the Papuan Islands region. They are

to be based in Salamo where Eleanor will be teaching

at Wesley High School and Daryl, a medical doctor

with further qualifications in tropical medicine, will be

working with the Community Health Worker training

programme. These gifts and talents they bring will

be of enormous value to the community and we urge

supporters to assist in providing the resources needed

to send them to this placement.

How much does it cost to send

a volunteer into a placement for12 months?

The answer is about one cupof coffee a week.

To fully support a volunteer towork with our partner churchesit costs an average of $10,000per year. This includes allcosts airfares, insurance,basic living allowance.

50 people give $5 per week

= a volunteer can go and serve.

you can HELP.Volunteers are supported through local

church communities, both financially andin prayer and pastoral support. This is an

exciting way to work as we are all participants

in Gods work together.

For regular supporters of UnitingWorld

volunteers, we offer ongoing updates for

church communities and individuals who

would like to support a UnitingWorld volunteer.

Supporters will receive the following:

A volunteer profile and, if possible, the

volunteer will come and share with you

about their planned activities

you can support specific volunteers either as a oneoff donation or on a regular basis e.g. $20 per month for 2 months.

Carmen Webster $2,500 needed for 3 months

Carmen is a vibrant, joyous woman who wants to

stretch herself and use her gifts in a cross cultural

setting. She has been working at a local Uniting

Church Opportunity Shop in South Australia and is

going to take up a placement in Tonga where she

will be assisting with a number of Sunday School

programmes and Adult Bible Studies.

Mr and Mrs Hong $20,000 needed for 12 months.

Mr and Mrs Hong work in remote areas in China

and also in work in North Korea, establishing and

facilitating an orphanage and TB clinic. This work is

extremely complex and challenging. But Mr and Mrs

Hong have made amazing progress and have learned

to rely on God for their daily needs. You can support

them as they work in this difficult area of our world.

you can support volunteers through a general fund thatis used for assisting anyone who is struggling to gain full financial supportprior to serving overseas. UnitingWorld will allocate funds according to need.

UnitingWorld currently needssupport for the following volunteers:

Regular updates and prayer points from

UnitingWorld about the volunteers workand regular newsletters from the volunteer

themselves.

The opportunity to correspond with the

volunteer while they are in their placement

and offer pastoral support for them.

An object from the volunteers host culture

to display that reminds everyone of the

support you are offering.

Readings for you and your church about

global mission.

For a full list of current and approved volunteers

needing support visit www.unitingworld.org.au

experience

JULY 2009


16/24

lent eventThe Lent Event bible study theme for

2009 Finding Faith in Testing Times has

proved particularly relevant. The study

asks key questions, core to what Lent

Event is all about following the example

of Jesus in caring for those who are poor

and responding to injustice. Over 3,000study guides were purchased and many

more downloaded from the Lent Event

website www.lentevent.com.

The team is encouraged by the numerouschurches in Queensland this year whohave taken on the Lent Event challenge.Their involvement contributes to our Reliefand Development programs in Papua NewGuinea, Timor Leste, South India, Sudan,Solomon Islands and Zambia.

To all those who have participated we trustyou have been personally enriched and welook forward to sharing with you the impactof your support of these projects.

FT en iu l r ionres e t at all i re o ld

r e o ...

e o as s an

, mer c d re o

a .

As reported earlier in this issue, we havereached a significant point in our history.

Uniting Church Overseas Aid is now the

Relief and Development unit of

UnitingWorld. Peace programs such as

Young Ambassadors for Peace are also

part of the unit.

Although our name has changedour approach and work remain

the same. UnitingWorld will

continue to focus on the Pacific,

Asia and Africa and the way we

work with our church partners

will remain unchanged.

e ief ev ment unit of UnitingWorld supports com unid velopment a d c acity building for communities in Asia, Afr ca a e

a ific. ects include water supply, health care, food securit , vo ationalt i , on, economic empowerment and emerge rel f.

tingWorld is fully accredit d ith Au , e ustralian gove ent agency for er nal development. It is also

a signatory to t e Austr lian un f r I velopment (AC ) ode o onduct. Both these guidelines ensure

we meet the highest standards in financ al reporting, transpar c , e t and ethical practice.

ns of $2 and v r to relief nd developme t programs are tax eductible.

14 UNITINGWORLD


17/24

relief & development

Government authorities wanted at one

point to make their region a sanctuary for

tigers, believing that only a single family

lived there. The project staff were able to

show that this was not true. They were able

to produce detailed files on families known

to them, each file with a photograph ofthe household, names, birth dates, ration

cards, immunization certificates, school

certificates and any other correspondence

related to that family. With assistance from

project staff, the adult Self-Help Groups

have formed a Federation that meets

annually with 500 people. This has given

the people a strong identity and voice was

they petition government departments.

They are able to declare: I am here.

I have an identity. I have worth.

able to declare: I am here.

n identity. I have worth.

Among the many horrors

and grief of the bushfires in

Victoria this summer has been

the loss, for many, of almost

every document that identifies

them no drivers license, no

passport, none of the usual

papers. Are you who you say

you are? What rights do you

have to insurance, property, a

pension? by Margaret Reeson

Those who have experienced this kind

of loss will understand the importance of

being able to establish identity. Identity is

one aspect of the UnitingWorld project in

the remote mountain region of Nilgris Hills.The Integrated Tribal Development Project

began in 1997 among traditional tribal

people who live in the high forests where

the state borders of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and

Karnataka touch. Known collectively as the

Adivasi, the four participating tribal groups

have their own distinctive languages,

ethnicity, culture and dress.

An aid project was first established in this

area through Uniting Church Overseas Aid in

1997, in collaboration with Church of South

India. At this time the people were very shyand the first step was a small pre-school to

give children a start in education. Gradually

the parents have gained confidence as they

have seen their children bloom. They value

the regular feeding program, support for

children going to school, the hostel in town

for older girls who have graduated to further

education and the Self-Help Groups for

adults. The program now has expanded to

serve twelve villages.

Perhaps most helpful of all has been the

efforts of the staff working in the project

including project officers, pre-schoolteachers, health workers and social

workers. These staff members are proving

to the authorities that real people and living

communities, have their homes in those

forested hills.

FACT:

Every day, a European

cow gets more in

subsidies (approx

US$2.20) than 1.2 billion

of the worlds poor have

to live on

JULY 2009


18/24

Ramakesh and his family come from

a simple farming community in the hills

outside Tavua, east of Nadi. Last year

he began to fall behind in his reading at

school, and became so frustrated that he

ceased attending school altogether. His

teacher suspected he had eye problemsand wrote to the clinic after hearing of the

visiting UnitingWorld team offering eye

surgery for those who are poor.

After an examination by Dr Jeremy Smith,

Ramakesh was diagnosed with cataracts

in both eyes and scheduled for surgery the

next day on the more problematic left eye.

I was there to shoot a short video on how

the team expresses Christs compassion

among those who cannot see but it was the

trust exhibited by the young Indian Fijian

boy that spoke most to me.

At every point he trusted the medical

team. He trusted the guidance and love

of his family and, in a sense, he trusted

the goodwill of the Uniting Church in

Australia whose generous donors make

this team possible.

The day after the surgery, I went to the

family home and arrived to a heros

welcome. A curry par excellence was

placed before me and I was treated like

royalty. This was in effect gratefulnessto the UnitingWorld eye care team and

the Uniting Church in Australia.

I walked away reflecting on how I express

gratefulness to those who have contributed

to my life but even more on the rich trust

of Ramakesh and family in the visiting

UnitingWorld team - this was a real glimpse

into the kind of trust the love of God in

Christ calls me to.

A few months ago I began to meet with

a spiritual director who encouraged me to

read and reflect on a book called Ruthless

Trust: The Ragamuffins Path to Godby

Brennan Manning.

The book argues that the key to well-being

and the walk of discipleship is a second

conversion of trust and gratefulness.

He says, unwavering trust is a rare

and precious thing because it often

demands a degree of courage that

borders on the heroic.

His thesis is that followers of Jesus who

have not learnt the art of trusting God

regardless of circumstances live in a

perennial state of spiritual ill-health. He

suggests that Christian well-being centres

around being able to, whisper a doxology

in darkness.

With Mannings book in my backpack and

its thoughts filling my mind, in May this

year I joined five Nurses, four Doctors,

one Orthoptist and a medical student who

would be performing life-changing eye

surgeries on local Fijians. It was a great

lesson in what unwavering trust meant

as I saw this 11 person team at work.

The team, a joint partnership between

St Clair Uniting Church, Westmead,

Nepean and Lautoka hospitals, the

Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotumaand the Relief and Development Unit of

UnitingWorld, has visited Fiji for the last

four years to provide much needed surgery.

In May 2009, they successfully conducted

94 cataract operations.

When I saw six year old Ramakesh* (name

changed for security purposes) arrive in

the Lautoka hospital waiting room, I saw

a future in the balance.

trust

andseeBy Rob Lutton

16 UNITINGWORLD


19/24

getting involvedDonate moneyUnitingWorld covers costs of the trip andsupports the team donating their time and skills

PartnerThis kind of engagement is the result of acongregation taking the Acts 1:8 ends of theearth call seriously and entering into anintentional partnership with UnitingWorld

Donate equipmentEye care equipment or suppliers are always needed

ServeThis team is formed by the lead Doctors fromtheir own hospital staff. However, UnitingWorldhas many opportunities for professionals to usetheir medical, IT or educational skills to build thecapacity of our partner churches

Go to www.unitingworld.org.au to see how you can get involved.


Images on opposite page:

Dr Jeremy Smith, a leading Ophthalmologistand Uniting Church elder, operating onRamakeshs eye

The moment of truth. Ramakesh arrived backat the clinic and the patch was removed byOrthoptist, Maria. As the realisation that his sightwas restored sank in, the gratefulness in the eyes

of his mother and father broke all our hearts thesmiles said it all.

Images on this page:

Dr Smith talking to Ramakeshs mother beforethe operation

Mum (Mrs Prasad) and Ramakesh

Ramakesh happy at play. Because of theoperation, Ramakesh played, read and laughedin a way he had not done for a long time.

JULY 2009


20/24

PNG

The Safe Water for Rural Areas

project expanded in 2007- 2008 to

a further eight rural villages and

now provides safe drinking water

for around 5,500 people. The

success of this project in Milne

Bay has led to the establishment

of a second local team in the

Central province. In 2009 these

two teams will assist a further eight villages to

access safe drinking water with all future water projects including

a sanitation component.

The Church Partnership Program has gone from strength to strength

since its inception. UnitingWorlds Relief and Development unit and

our partner the United Church in Papua New Guinea took what

began as a one person development operation and made it into a

thriving Development Unit of 25 people. In January 2009 all 25 staff

of the Development Unit in Papua New Guinea came together for

the first time. Here the staff established contracts, a code of conduct

and annual activity plans for their work. UnitingWorld is excited to

see the progress our partner has made in community development.

Everything in Common

Our Everything in Common gifts

catalogue has provided many

people with a gift that makes

all the difference in the world.

Donations to date will provide:

200 goat herds and 500 single

goats in East TImor

200 books for the Jordan School in Zambia

157 eye assessments and glasses in Fiji

4 peace workshops and associated costs for Joy Balazo

Overall the catalogue has been a huge success raising just under

$105,000 for Relief and Development programs in Fiji, East

Timor, Zambia Papua New Guinea and West Timor.

project updates

UnitingWorlds Relief and Development water harvesting programsin Zimbabwe were significantly slowed down because of theinstability inside the country. With Morgan Tsvangirais riseto the role of Prime Minister, hopes have also risen thatprograms can recommence. UnitingWorld continuesto monitor the situation closely.

Below is a timeline of thedisintegration of events

in Zimbabwe.

UnitingWorld invites youto pray for the peopleof Zimbabwe.

1980Mugabe winsindependence

elections and

is named

Prime Minister.

1987Mugabe & Nkomomerged their parties

into Zanu-PF.

Mugabe became

Executive President.

1998Economic crisis and

riots occur.

2000Zanu-PF narrowlyfights off a challengefrom the opposition

led by Morgan

Tsvangirai.

2001Finance Minister warns of

serious food shortages as

most western donors cut

aid because of Mugabes

land seizure program.

2002Parliament passes a lawlimiting media freedom.Mugabe re-elected amid

accusations of election

fraud by the opposition

and foreign

UnitingWorld India office

In February UnitingWorld celebrated the rededication of our office

in Coimbatore, India. Bishops and key leaders from the Church of

South India and personnel from UnitingWorld represented the UCA

at this dedication.

Rev. Jacob Belly, a minister of the Church of South India, will

lead the team and will work with local staff, the leadership of

the Church of South India and the Church of North India and

UnitingWorld in Sydney.

Ron Reeson, a representative of the UCA at the service said All of

us gathered in Coimbatore that day knew that this marked a new

era in the relationship between the Uniting Church and the Church

of South India.

The occasion was marked by a group of young girls from families

devastated by the terrible tsunami of 2005 singing for the group.

These girls are now completing vocational training in Coimbatore,

supported by funding from UCA.

In Celebration of Water

When the taps were turned on in four Dalit (low caste) villages in

Vellore, South India it was an occasion for wild celebration.

Two taps, a header tank, a small pump house and a very

deep borehole were installed though a partnership between

AusAid and UnitingWorlds Relief and Development unit.

These are community taps, available to Christian and Hindu

alike. Womens groups in each place have been

given the responsibility for monitoring andcontrolling water use.

Australians know something about drought

and water restrictions but as Margaret

Reeson, who was present at the

celebrations observed Our women

do not have to spend hours each day

in seeking drinking water, walking

long distances to fill a single water

pot. We do not have to give our

children water that may carry

water-borne disease.

p

ach place have been

monitoring and

about drought

Margaret

the

men

ch day

ing

ate

r

Zimbabwe timeline

gc

A

n

18 UNITINGWORLD


21/24

Mwandi OVC Project

Your generous donations have

allowed us to provide ongoing

support to our partner church,

the United Church of Zambia,

for their Orphans and

Vulnerable Children project

in Mwandi.

The project now provides:

Essential foods and vitamins to more than 220 children

per day, six days a week

Each month the project distributes 330 pieces of clothing

500 blankets were distributed in the colder months

Over 700 children have been given the opportunity to

undertake education and with the recent completion of

a sewing centre many more will gain vocational skills.

West Timor Income Generating Projects

The cattle fattening project in West Timor has provided an

opportunity for over 1120 people to transform their lives during

the three year span. There are currently 224 active loan clients

and between January and September 2008, a further 176 cattle

were purchased and disbursed in the Betun region.

Similarly the economic empowerment project has enabled many

to provide a better future for their family. Between January 2008

and July 2008 over 1040 small entrepreneurs received loans

which have indirectly impacted around 4,515 people. Since itsinception in 2006 the economic empowerment project has made

over 4200 loans and as of July 2008 the majority of active loan

clients were women. All loan clients have been able to save an

average of two months wage thanks to the project.

As a direct result of these projects many clients have been able

to increase their business size and income, send their children

to school, carry out work on their homes and establish second

businesses. These projects are now winding down and our

partner is developing ways to continue this success.

Fiji Emergency Appeal

In January this year Fiji was hit by the countrys worst flooding in

50 years with waters rising to as high as three metres. The floods

claimed the lives of 11 people and forced thousands of people to

evacuate their homes, leaving behind their livelihoods. The damage

bill is estimated to be more than US$43 million.

The poorest were hardest hit by the storms with essential services

and agriculture in rural areas destroyed. Many businesses and

services will take several months to recover.

Since the launch the appeal has raised over $30,000 and

we are working with our partners to see these funds used to

alleviate suffering.

Jordan School Appeal

The Jordan Community School is located in Zambia, which is strickenby HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that more than one in every seven adults

is living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Teachers and children either infected

or affected, lack psycho-social support, counselling services, adequate

nutrition and other basic needs.

To address this issue in 2008 the Relief and Development unit

launched an appeal to support the Jordan Community School.

UnitingWorld offers shelter and care and psychosocial support for the

students as well as a teachers allowance for the school. The Jordan

school has seven teachers and caters for 360 children from grades

one-seven. At present, there is almost no support being received

by the school.

The appeal has raised over $50,000 and

will enable these children to receive vital

support and education. Thank you to all

those who gave generously.

appeal updates

2003General strike is followed

by arrest and beating

of hundreds of people.

Tsvangirai is arrested twice in

a week of opposition protests

and is charged with treason.

2005Zanu-PF party wins two-thirdsof votes in parliamentary polls

but opposition party says

election was rigged against it

2008Opposition won parliamentary elections &Tsvangirai won first round of presidential poll.

Mr Mugabe wins presidential run-off electionand is sworn in after Mr Tsvangirai pulls out.

100 billion dollar banknote introduced as year-on-year inflation rate reaches 2m per cent.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai sign power-sharing deal.

Annual inflation rate hits new high of 231mper cent.

Water supplies cut off by government inresponse to rising cholera outbreak

2006Year-on-year inflation

exceeds 1000%. New

banknotes introduced.

2007All rallies and

demonstrations

banned for three

months

2009Morgan Tsvangirai

is sworn in as prime

minister after power sharing

agreement reached.

Zimbabwe business and public

servants paid in US dollars to

stem inflation.

Trading resumed at theZimbabwe Stock Exchange with

transactions only in US dollars.

Teachers agree to end a year

long strike after the government

promised to review salaries

.

FACT:The total amountof water on theearth is about 326million cubic miles.Of all this water,humans can useonly about threetenths of a percent.


i

e

er sharing

d.

JULY 2009


22/24

Peacemaking programsUnitingWorld peace programs are run throughYoung Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), a programestablished by Joy Balazo. These programs striveto build a culture of peace and justicein communities in need of conflict resolution.

Young Ambassadors for Peace has centres in Indonesia, Sri

Lanka, India, Burma, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the

Solomon Islands. Each centre is supported by local staff who are

passionate about breeding peace in their communities and trained

to run effective peace building workshops.

YAP is voluntary in nature and uses training, networking and

action to build a culture of peace in communities. This occurs

through mediations which are generally seven -eight day intensive

live-in experiential workshops designed for participants to

recognise their potential. The workshops help people recognise

the layers of fear and mistrust that have blocked the communities

capacity to resolve the conflict. The transformation of the

individual is a key element as people re-discover themselves.

The workshops do not impose solutions but help communities

find their own ways of resolving conflict.

Young Ambassadors for Peace has been highly successful in

empowering people to create peace, resolve conflict and build

friendships across barriers of conflict and violence, paving theway for much needed development.

Donations over $2 to Young Ambassadors for Peace are

tax deducible.

peacemakingHela Region Unitesfor PeaceOn the 2nd of October, 2008 a long hoped forevent occurred as 32 warring tribes based in theSouthern Highlands of Papua New Guinea cametogether to sign permanent peace treaties. Thehistoric signing came after decades of war andconflict in the region gave way to lengthy peace

negotiations. By Hannah HoskinThe Tari District Peace Agreement was negotiated through peace-

building activities conducted by a dedicated team of local volunteers

working for, Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), a program of

UnitingWorld. Under the treaty all 32 tribes will lay down weapons

and compensate each other for property and lives destroyed during

the conflict.

The peace process has taken more than seven years of negotiation

by YAP Associate Director, former nun and Australian of the Year

nominee, Joy Balazo. On the peace process Joy explained if people

are given the place and are willing learn to respect peoples cultural,

religious and political differences then I believe peace is always

possible,.

On the day of the signing hundreds

of tribesmen marched shoulder

to shoulder through the village

of Tari. The sight of these once

warring tribes walking unified

brought hundreds of Tari villagers

out on the streets. Dignitaries and

the wider community witnessed

each tribe proclaim the new-found

peace and advocate for a joint approach

to develop the village, school and farms. This is an amazing

achievement given handshakes and even making eye contact

with an enemy was once unheard of.

Pulling up the roots of conflict in war-torn societies like the Southern

Highlands of PNG goes beyond simply downing weapons Joy

explains. Peace-building involves fostering trust and a culture of

peace. The peace workshops and mediations undertaken by these

once warring tribes helped the communities find their own ways

of resolving the conflict.

Now that peace has been established in the Hela region, developers

can finally begin work in stabilising, growing and assisting the area,

providing a much needed financial boost to PNG. Tourists are now

safe to travel to Tari and humanitarian aid agencies are restoring

the hospital and providing much needed medical assistance to the

community. It is through the work of YAP that the area is now safe

for this needed development.YAP negotiators will continue to work with the tribes on programs

to sustain peace in communities, while tribes will work together

to ensure prosperity for their region and their people.

t

peace a

20 UNITINGWORLD


23/24

Working with Women in the Solomon Islands

Late last year a YAP workshop was conducted in Auki,Malaita Islands with 18 women from Malaita andGuadalcanal Islands. This was the first all femaleworkshop for the Solomon Islands and focused onre-building the damaged relationships between thetwo islands which was a result of conflict in 1999.

As the workshop progressed the fear and worry of these

two groups of women slowly melted away. Each day was an

opportunity to understand and rebuild the broken relationship

between the two groups.

The farewell demonstrated the success of the workshop with

each participant crafted a necklace to hang around the neck

of their newly found sisters.

Toward the end of last year YAP Solomon Islands was invited

to a youth rally organized by The United Church in the Solomon

Islands. Here the YAP staff engaged the youth on the work of

YAP, definitions of conflict and conflict mapping. It was very

successful with the youth contributing their ideas about conflict

and building.

Healing for Ambon

October last year saw a YAP workshop run for32 mostly Muslim men from villages in the area.

Violence still erupts occasionally, especially among young

people. The majority of the participants hold important positions

in their villages and can be influential proponents for peace.

The workshop brought the participants from enemy villages

together to discuss how they will bring peace to their villages. It

was inspiring to see true friendship developing between enemy

leaders. As a result of the workshop the participants committed

to end the violence in their communities.

YAP updates:

Working in the Conflict Zone; India and PakistanBy Ron Reeson

Joys Plans for 2009:

FEB112 YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku andAmbon, Indonesia workshop and village visits

MAR 22 28 YAP and Closing the GAP Jointplanning meeting

APR 16 22 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop forMinisters and wives

MAY 22 31 YAP Burma Training of the Trainers andworkshop

JUN 15 19 Rotary World Peace SymposiumBirmingham England

JUN 22

26 Visits to European YAP funders:Council for World Mission, World Allianceof Reformed Churches, World Council

of Churches and UK Methodist Church

JUN 29 5 JUL YAP Philippines visit

JUL 22 27 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshopfor police force

JUL 29 4 AUG YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop for Wasaiarmed groups

AUG 21 31 YAP Training of the Trainers and Workshop,North East India

SEPT YAP Training of the Trainers and workshop,

Solomon Islands

0CT YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku,Indonesia workshop for Muslim villages

N0V YAP workshop Tari

DEC YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku, Indonesia

workshop for Rajahs

The people of North East India have lived with conflict for many

years. The area is agricultural and produces rice, tea and coffee. It is

densely populated and extremely cold in the mountains. Society here

is very unstable and the fear of war is constant so close to the border

with Pakistan.

Joy Balazo has been working with leaders of the Presbyterian

Church of India and in late 2008 ran a YAP workshop. The workshops

revealed that strikes, HIV/AIDS and alcohol were the key factors

causing conflict. Several plans were developed to begin working on

these issues.

Joy reflected I think the militancy in Manipur is the most disturbing.

The landlords (an underground movement against the government)

collect taxes, set prices, control with guns and exploit the people.

They encourage strikes to destabilise society and government. They

militate against peace. The peoples enemy is not another tribe. It is

their own people in the community.

At the end of the workshop Joy was rewarded by enthusiasm for

the program after initial skepticism. It was encouraging when then

they added you did not teach us what we know. You taught us

about ourselves.

peacemaking

JULY 2009


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