Bringing Good News works in Africa to tackle and alleviate abject poverty and deprivation, and to bring hope to those in great need. One of our key concerns is that we do not make people dependent upon our aid. While it is very difficult to get this balance right, we do try to support projects that promote self-sufficiency in order to break the mindset of dependency upon aid.

Southern Sudan

Bishop Anthony Poggo with Israel	New orange plantation in Karika

We are establishing links in southern Sudan, identifying people like Bishop Anthony Poggo  and projects such as the orange plantation, which will make a substantial and positive impact upon a country ripped apart by nearly a century of warfare and conflict. For instance, we have consulted with the bishop of Kajo-Keji, a region in the Sudan/Uganda boarder, about how best to could help in his diocese. The most pressing need, as identified by Bishop Poggo, is for the re-establish a training college in Kajo-Keji. This college would provide education, business and community development, and theological and social skills. This training college would be linked to four dioceses spanning southern Sudan and would also be open to other denominations.

Other key areas for aid have been identified, including the provision of clean water - a basic human necessity, which we, in the West, often take for granted. Bishop Poggo’s diocese is responsible for eight schools, none of which have their own well. The children have to walk several miles for water and, even then, it is not always clean. We are looking to see if we can assist and fund the digging of fresh wells.

Finally, one of the most important groups providing ‘on-the-ground’ support are the pastors and churches under Bishop Poggo’s care. Another avenue we are exploring is the provision of financial aid to enable these pastors to redouble their provision of care - to supply them with bibles and teaching aids, food and basic necessities, in order to bring hope and alleviate suffering in their towns and villages.

Zambia

Hanah looks after ten orphans	John Bwalia inspecting the Seed to Feed crop

We initiated and support two ‘Seed for Feed’ programmes in the region of Mkushi and in the Northern province in Zambia. This funds the purchase of seed and fertilizer by local church leaders. Through a three-year educational/ harvest cycle, these community leaders teach the orphans and widows how to grow food and achieve a sustainable crop.

Isaiah (on the left) teaches sustainable farming	Demonstrating farming techniques

In the northern province of Zambia, we help Isaiah, a Christian pastor and agriculturist, to set up a small training centre to teach pastors and community leaders, widows and orphans, how to grow food. Isaiah promotes a multi-stage programme, starting with ‘food security’. The overall plan of growing food, keeping livestock and storing that food until the person or family have reached the security of providing for themselves or their families. Once this milestone has been achieved they can sell any surplus. Following these principles, Isaiah teaches both the academic theory, and demonstrates the actual farming practice on his training farm - which is supported by Bringing Good News. Our support for this project includes purchasing donkeys to work the farm and for a new breeding programme and also a small training Centre.

In addition to this practical assistance, we also support a Zambian familiy working as missionaries in neighbouring Mozambique.