Shoes for the World Program - April 2007

     In a country plagued with poverty, few can afford new shoes. The lucky children may find old torn shoes they can wear after tying the shoes to their feet with rope. The unlucky do without. Both are forced to walk miles on rocky ground to gather food, find firewood and collect water. Unprotected feet are mangled with cuts, scrapes, insect bites, parasites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections or parasites in the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities… and sometimes, even death.

      Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER is continuing our "Shoes for the World" program. April 2007, provided 5,000 children and adults in Angola with new, durable, comfortable athletic shoes. Those 5,000 people are now safer from infection, parasites and disabilites

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Burundi Photo Gallery

• Population - 8,691,005
• Life expectancy at birth - 51.71 years
• Infant mortality rate - 60.77 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 68%
• Unemployment rate - Unknown
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 59.3%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Community Support - 1994-Present

      Life is a desparate struggle for 68 percent of the people in Burundi, who live below the poverty line*. Millions of these men, women and children suffer every day from hunger, disease, poverty and despair. World Emergency Relief believes they deserve a “living chance”. WER and the WER global family’s African Emergency Relief outreach has been active in Burundi since 1994.

      WER’s global offices work together with local orphanages, churches, schools and HIV/AIDS clinics in Bujumbura, Bethany and the surrounding areas. These programs focus on the needs of the malnourished, the blind, orphans, street children, widows, the displaced, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. World Emergency Relief provides our partner programs with food, clothing, medical supplies and educational materials, as well as construction and operational grants.

Shoes for the World Program - 2007-2008

      In a country plagued with poverty, few can afford new shoes. Many are forced to walk miles on rocky ground to gather food, find firewood and collect water. Unprotected feet are mangled with cuts, scrapes, insect bites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections or parasites in the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities and even death.

      Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER is continuing our "Shoes for the World" program. March 2007, WER worked hard to provide 5,000 children and adults in Burundi with new, durable, comfortable shoes. In April 2008, WER provided another 5,000 people with new shoes.  All of the shoes went to the poor, focusing on orphans, widows, street children, AIDs victims, the sick, the blind, and refugees. Now there are 10,000 people who are safer from infection, parasites and disabilites.

Democratic Republic of Congo Photo Gallery

• Population -  66,514,504
• Life expectancy at birth - 53.98
• Infant mortality rate - 83.11 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - Unknown
• Unemployment rate - Unknown
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) – 67.2%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Community Support - 1998-Present

      Since 1998, World Emergency Relief's global family has partnered with local organizations to provide food, clothing, medicine and other supplies to needy communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Population -  23,382,848
• Life expectancy at birth -  59.49 years
• Infant mortality rate - 52.31 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 28.5 %
• Unemployment rate - 11%
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 57.9%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Supporting Healthcare - June 2008

      World Emergency Relief (WER) embraced a region in Ghana, a country in Africa, where many rural areas have no accessible medical clinics. The medically qualified personnel in the areas have severely limited facilities and face many challenges, including insufficient medical supplies. Orphans, the disabled, widows and Liberian refugees are especially at-risk and have difficulties travelling the long distances to the closest medical centers - sometimes well over 100 miles away. When able, the medical staff travels to some of these remote communities to offer care.

      WER understands the vital impact quality healthcare has on a community. In support of their work, WER shipped these facilities over $3,000,000 worth of medicines via air freight in June. WER provided critical heart, blood pressure and diabetes medications, as well as pain relievers and anti-viral and anti-diarrheal medications. These medicines will be instrumental in helping the personnel save lives.

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Shoes for the World Program
May 2008

      World Emergency Relief understands the vital importance of shoes. Although shoes are often over looked, they protect feet from cuts, insect bites, parasites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections or parasites in the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities, and sometimes death.

      May 2008, WER provided 4,000 new, durable, comfortable athletic shoes to Liberian refugees in a refugee camp in Ghana, as well as street children, orphans and the needy in local towns of Breman Essiam, and Senya Krobonshie.

      The Liberian refugees especially were grateful. Some of them have been in Ghana for more than twenty years and still can’t afford to buy shoes of any kind. Most have developed gangrene or other foot diseases due to that, and some have to walk barefoot. Even something as simple as shoes touched their lives, and many of the villlagers and refugees cried when they received the shoes. It was a dream come true for them.

Liberian Refugee Women's Program - 2007

      When the civil crisis in Liberia started in 1990, a refugee camp was established in Ghana. By the fall of 2007, the camp had over 27,000 people - mostly women and children in exile. Many are political refugees as well as victims of vicious torture, physical and sexual abuse. With few jobs available, most of them are subjected to begging and sexual exploitation as the only way to feed their children.

      WER is dedicated to helping the survivors and victims of war-torn countries such as Liberia. The goal of WER's Liberian Women's Program is to help these women achieve self sustainability, to empower them and reduce the risk of sexual exploitation.

      WER is working with a local organization to assist these vulnerable women. After a careful and thorough screening process, women are chosen to participate in our Liberian Women's Program. These women will receive small loans for micro-enterprise, as well as training on how to run their own business.

      One woman explained her situation to us: "I fled to Ghana from the result of numerous tortures and threats made over my life and the lives of my family . . . I finally enter Ghana with the total of six family members, including my husband who later abandoned me alone with the children since 2004. . . My children and I became beggars to survive. I later got engaged in farming, which products I sell and than buy food to feed the children and I. This is very unbearable to go through. . . It is my hope and aspiration that my request is given yourly timely consideration in these regard, the fact that I need to prepare my children and myself for better future."

      World Emergency Relief's micro-enterprise grants helped her stabalized her farming and vegetable selling business, allowing her to provide for her four children. Other micro-enterprise endevors include selling food, water, meals, and offering laundry services. WER is proud to give them a new chance a life.

• Population - 37,953,840
• Life expectancy at birth - 56.64 years
• Infant mortality rate - 56.01 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 50%
• Unemployment rate - 40%
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 85.1%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Hope Community Centre - 2002 - Present

      Since 2002, World Emergency Relief (WER) and WER’s global family has embraced a child care facility in central Kenya, a country in Africa. Hope community Centre currently cares for over almost 240 children, ranging from several months to eighteen years old. Many of the children lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and were rescued from living on the streets. The facility has also recently taken 40 children who were orphaned during the political disturbance.

      The facility provides the children with a safe, loving environment, nutritional meals, clothes and a primary education. Vocational classes such as tailoring are also available on site, to enable them to support themselves when they are older. Many of the children have successfully completed their primary education and study at a local high school. The facility includes a chicken farm and a fish pond that supplement the children’s diet and help provide income for the orphanage.

• Population -  3,334,587
• Life expectancy at birth - 41.13 years
• Infant mortality rate - 143.89 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 80%
• Unemployment rate - 85%
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 57.5%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Community Support - 1998-Present

      WER’s African Relief outreach programs combat hunger, poverty and abuse, and promote healthcare, education and child safety across Africa. WER observed the desperate need in many communities in Liberia. Tragically, 80% of people in Liberia live below the poverty line, and the average life expectancy is only 41 years*. World Emergency Relief was inspired to make a difference.

     Since 1998, WER’s global offices have worked together with local medical clinics, orphanages, and ministires in Liberia. Our programs focus on assisting orphans, the elderly, needy village farmers, poor children, and the malnourished, and help give them a “living chance”.

Community Support - September 2008

      WER embraced several villages near Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, where we observed great need. In September, WER shipped $426,000 worth of food, medical supplies, educational materials, and orphanage supplies to our partner ministry in Liberia. These supplies will be distributed amount orphans, the elderly, needy village farmers and poor children, to help give them a “living chance”.

Shoes for the World Program - December 2007

      In a plagued with poverty, few can afford new shoes. The lucky children may find old torcountryn shoes they can wear after tying the shoes to their feet with rope. The unlucky do without. Both are forced to walk miles on rocky ground to gather food, find firewood and collect water. Unprotected feet are mangled with cuts, scrapes, insect bites, parasites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections or parasites in the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities… and sometimes, even death.

        Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER is continuing our "Shoes for the World" program. December 2007, WER provided 5,000 children and adults in Liberia with a wonderful Christmas present - new, durable, comfortable shoes. Many of recipients are orphans, widows, war victims, disabled or refugees who live in isolated villages, urban slums, and refugee camps. Those 5,000 people are now safer from infection, parasites and disabilities.

• Population -  13,931,831
• Life expectancy at birth - 43.45 years
• Infant mortality rate - 90.55 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 53 %
• Unemployment rate - Unknown
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 62.7%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

A Miracle- March/April 2008

      WER understands the vital importance of proper healthcare. Over 45,000 people living in a struggling community in Malawi did not have access to medical care before WER's intervention. In March, WER worked closely with a local organization and outfitted a building with the medical equipment, supplies and medicines needed to create a small hospital.

    On April 2nd, a 16 year-old girl from a nearby village went into labor. If her baby had been even one month early, she would have been forced to have her baby on her hut's dirt floor, with only a neighbor to help deliver her baby. Because of WER's supplies, she was able to safely deliver her baby in a clean, sterile facility with trained nurses and the proper equipment. The mother was so grateful that she named her beautiful baby girl Diane, after the hospital. Her newborn life is a testament to WER's good works.

Nurses at Bottom Hospital

Healthcare Support - November 2007

      Sadly, the First Lady of Malawi passed away from cancer this spring. Before she died, her last request of WER was that we help her renovate the maternity section of Bottom Hospital, one of the busiest maternity hospitals in southern Africa. Fulfilling our promise to the First Lady, WER sent a 20,000 lb. shipment of medical supplies and equipment to the hospital.

      But we know that one shipment is not enough to supply their patients with continual quality care. In her memory, WER has “embraced” the entire Bottom Hospital, which serves some of the poorest people - especially orphans, invalids, refugees, the elderly and those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

    In November, WER sent a 40-foot humanitarian shipment of vital medicines to Bottoms Hospital in Malawi. The shipment contained desperately needed antibiotics, oral rehydration salts and de-worming medications. The medications will be distributed to hundreds of under-privileged people in Malawi. It is our belief that the renovation and our continuing contributions will help keep her memory alive.

Shoes for the World Program - April 2006

      In a country plagued with poverty, few can afford shoes. The lucky children may find old torn shoes they can wear after tying the shoes to their feet with rope. The unlucky do without. Both are forced to walk miles on rocky ground to gather food, find firewood and collect water. Unprotected feet are mangled with cuts, scrapes, insect bites, parasites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections and parasites from the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities… and sometimes, even death.

        Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER developed our "Shoes for the World" program. April 2006, WER worked hard to provide 5,000 children and adults in Malawi with new, durable, comfortable athletic shoes. The shoes went to some of the poorest people, including many orphans, invalids, refugees, the elderly and those suffering from HIV/AIDs. Now there are 5,000 people who are safer from infection, parasites and frostbite.

• Population - 10,186,063
• Life expectancy at birth - 49.76 years
• Infant mortality rate -  83.42 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 60%
• Unemployment rate - Unknown
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 70.4%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Shoes for the World Program - Mary 2007

      In a country plagued with poverty, few can afford shoes. The lucky children may find old torn shoes they can wear after tying the shoes to their feet with rope. The unlucky do without. Both are forced to walk miles on rocky ground to gather food, find firewood and collect water. Unprotected feet are mangled with cuts, scrapes, insect bites,

parasites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections and parasites in the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities… and sometimes, even death.

      Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER's "Shoes for the World" program is so important. March 2007, WER provided 5,000 children and adults in Rwanda with new, durable, comfortable athletic shoes. Those 5,000 people are now safer from infection, parasites and disabilities.

• Population -  6,294,774
• Life expectancy at birth - 40.93 years
• Infant mortality rate - 156.48 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 70.2%
• Unemployment rate - Unknown
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 35.1%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Shoes for the World Program - April 2007

      In a country plagued with poverty, few can afford shoes. The lucky children may find old torn shoes they can wear after tying the shoes to their feet with rope. The unlucky do without. Both are forced to walk miles on rocky ground to gather food, find firewood and collect water. Unprotected feet are mangled with cuts, scrapes, insect bites, parasites and infection. Without antibiotics, small infections and parasites in the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities… and sometimes, even death.

      Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER is continuing our "Shoes for the World" program. April 2007, WER provided 5,000 children and adults in Sierra Leon with new, durable, comfortable athletic shoes. Those 5,000 people are now safer from infection, parasites and disabilities.

• Population - 48,782,756
• Life expectancy at birth - 48.89 years
• Infant mortality rate - 45.11 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 50%
• Unemployment rate - 24.3%
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 86.4%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

 Hunger Relief - March 2008

      Mabli (13 yrs.) and Khehla (5 yrs.) are orphans in South Africa who collect scrap metal to earn money for food. The global food crisis made what little food they could afford incredibly expensive - causing them to skip even more meals. Mbali does not go to school because she cannont afford the fees. Sadly, many children in South Africa face the same dilemma every day - they can either eat or go to school, but not both.

    In March, World Emergency Relief provided 43,700 lbs. of nutritious soup mix to Mabli and Khehla's poverty-stricken community. Not only will the food fight malnutrition, but combined with other WER food shipments, it will allow Mbali and other children to sve money to attend school.

Muntab

Hunger Relief - December 2007

      Muntu, a woman in South Africa, had her right leg amputated and now crawls to cook, do chores and care for her husband. It is impossible for her to find a job. Her husband is illiterate and unskilled, and can only occasionally get work cleaning a local garage. He struggles to earn enough to even feed themselves. Sadly, stories like Muntu's are not uncommon - even many children are missing limbs.

      In December, World Emergency Relief sent a 40,000 lb. relief shipment to Apostolic Faith Mission in South Africa, to help people like Muntu and her husband.

      The shipment contained desperately needed cornmeal. The food will be distributed to thousands of hungry, under-privileged people in rural regions of South Africa and Mozambique, mostly to orphans, handicapped children, widows, families in extreme poverty and those suffering from AIDS.

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Hunger Relief - August 2007 

      South Africa is plagued with poverty.  Already difficult conditions combined with the global food shortage makes life a deadly trial for the millions of poor people in southern Africa.

      Our Christian partner ministers to one of these communities in Durban, South Africa.  World Emergency Relief adopted this community as part of WER's "Embraceable Communities" strategy to help needy children worldwide.

 South African children

      In August, WER sent a 30,000 lb. humanitarian relief shipment to our Christian partner in South Africa, to help under-privilegedpeople in South Africa and Mozambique. The shipment contained dehydrated fruits and vegetables that will provide desperately needed vitamins and nutrients for the hungry. The food will be distributed to thousands of orphans, handicapped children, widows, families in extreme poverty and those suffering from AIDS.

• Population -  31,367,972
• Life expectancy at birth -   52.34 years
• Infant mortality rate - 65.99 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 35%
• Unemployment rate - Unknown
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 66.8%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Safe Water Program - February 2008

      Due to the recent flooding in Uganda, a lot of water has been contaminated, increasing the danger of typhoid, malaria and other water-born diseases. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

      In Abwoloit, a village in northern Uganda, many children would come late or miss school because they had to travel far to fetch water for their families.  This increased drop-out rates, especially among girls.

 

    WER funded the drilling of a new deep well, which will provide over 1,000 people in Abwoloit with safe, clean water.  This water will help protect them from disease and will help them grow crops for both food and income. In addition, the children are now able to attend a full school day, because the water is close and it is easy for them to collect it in the evenings.  This will help save many children from dropping out of school, and increases their chances for jobs in the future.

      With further funding, WER intends to drill additional wells for needy African communities in the future. 

Shoes for the World Program - April 2008

      In a country still plagued with poverty, new shoes are a blessing. Those without shoes or broken shoes face cuts, scrapes, insect bites, parasites and infection. Small infections from the feet can travel through the blood and affect the children's entire bodies, leading to disabilities… and sometimes, even death.

      Although many might not consider shoes essential, we know they are. That's why WER's "Shoes for the World" program is so important. In April 2008, WER provided over 5,000 children and adults in Uganda with new, durable, comfortable athletic shoes.

• Population - 153,546,896
• Life expectancy at birth - 63.21 years
• Infant mortality rate - 57.45 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 45%
• Unemployment rate - 2.5%
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 43.1%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

Cyclone Sidr survivor holding her baby.

Photo courtesy of www.alertnet.org

REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman

Cyclone Sidr Relief - November 2007

      Cyclone Sidr devastated Bangladesh, killing over 3,500 people and displacing millions.  Over half of the schools were destroyed, as well as almost all of their mud huts. Our heart went out to the thousands of struggling children and families.  WER shipped a 40-foot container of blankets, children's clothing, medical supplies and education supplies to help relief cyclone victims in the coming months.

• Population -  14,241,640

• Life expectancy at birth - 61.69 years

• Infant mortality rate - 56.59 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Population living below poverty line - 35%
• Unemployment rate - 2.5%
• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 73.6%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

  DOORSTEPS

      WER joined with VIVA International to create and implement the innovative DOORSTEPS program to combat sexual abuse and exploitation, starting in Cambodia.  DOORSTEPS addresses the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims, advocacy, prevention, intervention and prosecution of sex customers and sex traffickers. Local involvement is a fundamental element; DOORSTEPS' main goal is to provide local resources, including educational materials,
in-depth training, program design, financial support and capacity building for local programs, fighting CSEC (commercial sexual exploitation of children) in ways both culturally and operationally appropriate, while also developing best practices between our network and other involved NGOs.

more...

Cambodian School Program 2004-2007

      Because of the desperate poverty level in Cambodia, many children have to work the street during the day to earn enough to eat, and are therefore unable to go to school. This leaves the children at-risk for sexual exploitation and continues the cycle of poverty.

      WER's global family has been partners with United Cambodian Charity since 2004. Working together, we offer five elementary schools to poor villages, giving over 1,200 children an education. Children who attend receive a rice bonus, which helps alleviate their need to beg or sell themselves. The education gives the children a chance to learn other skills and an opportunity to create a new life.

• Population -  1,330,044,544

• Life expectancy at birth - 73.18 years

• Infant mortality rate - 21.16 deaths per 1,000 live births

• Population living below poverty line - 8%  **21.5 million in rural areas live below China's official "absolute poverty" line (approx. $90 per year), and an additional 35.5 million in rural areas live above that but below the official "low income" line (approx. $125 per year)**

• Unemployment rate - 4% in urban areas; high unemployment and underemployment in rural areas

• Literacy rate (population over 15 years old who can read and write) - 90.9%

Individual country population facts and statistics taken from The World Factbook by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
2 October 2008. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>

early intervention program

special needs program

  Xining Children's Rehabilitation Centre