Empowering Orphans: Local people, local projects.

Orphans and children at risk of becoming orphans are being cared for by local churches in large numbers throughout southern Africa.  Every day, 500 people die in Zimbabwe from AIDS related illnesses and 1,000 children become orphaned.

Forgotten Voices is demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ by equipping local churches in southern Africa to meet the physical & spiritual needs of children orphaned by AIDS in their communities.  We are focused on locally developed, locally run orphan care to protect the voices of pastors, community leaders, and the children they serve.

The ministry of Forgotten Voices International is founded on the premise that every person is precious in the sight of God. Entire communities are being ravaged by AIDS, leaving orphans as survivors with forgotten voices that are too young or too vulnerable to rise above the background noise of a busy and preoccupied world. 

But there is hope, and together with partners across the US and around the world, Forgotten Voices is equipping leaders and empowering orphans in southern Africa. Forgotten Voices comes alongside these local pastors and helps them develop Local Action Plans for orphan care, funds them, and connects these pastors to other pastors through local seminaries and training programs.

Local People. Local Projects.
We are committed to partnering with local people in local projects.  We deeply believe that the local Church is the best tool available to fight the AIDS pandemic in Africa and meet the physical & spiritual needs of orphans and vulnerable children.
Strengths of the local people, local projects approach:  
   
Pastoral Care:

Our partner churches in southern Africa are led by servants who care deeply for the whole person, physically and spiritually. They work tirelessly, and with limited resources. Pastors in Africa are often asked to be a friend, bedside companion, doctor, social worker, handyman, farmer, advocate, and even parent to vulnerable children. They are uniquely qualified to mobilize people and resources to combat AIDS and its effects.  Often, they lack the funding, time and project management knowledge to prioritize the overwhelming challenges before them. We can help.

Presence:

It is estimated that people in southern Africa look to the church for over 50% of all their basic social service needs: from bedside care to education to skill development. Communities see that the church stands ready to respond to these challenges in the effort to demonstrate Jesus Christ's love for all people.

Potential to Transform Lives:

The international response to AIDS must be channeled through avenues that are capable of transforming lives in sustainable ways. By combining the physical AND spiritual tools of the church, a holistic solution is possible. Individuals and communities are restored spiritually through Jesus Christ, and crucial strides are made to reverse the HIV epidemic.

Partnerships:

Churches throughout Africa are working together in ways unseen by many churches throughout the West. Denominations are partnering together, focused on a common cause rather than the doctrine that so easily divides. While this is still rare, we believe partnerships across the broader church should be encouraged, as they reflect the Biblical teachings to love people as Christ loved us - all of us.

Possibilities:

While many NGOs operate in southern Africa, their standardized methods leave little room for flexible solutions that consider the needs of individual communities. Church run projects provide local ownership and limitless possibilities.

Purpose:

The church has a purpose in the community that reaches beyond combating AIDS and empowering orphans. It exists to build hope, confront the ills of society, take on misbehaving governments, and stand for justice. No government, NGO, or association can claim that like the Church.

People:

The Church is alive with people willing to help. Jesus Christ's love is for all and God's people are anxious to share that love through physical assistance and spiritual restoration. They know the challenges in ways that an international NGO, government, or association cannot. The people of the local church are there to stay and will remain after AIDS is eradicated. Valuing this community is essential.

PROJECT PROFILES

ZIMBABWE

Christian Leadership Resource Centre, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Impact: 300 pastors; 800 trained through project management workshops
Partners: TCZ, Christian AIDS Taskforce, Scripture Union, Habakuk Trust, Others

Farming God's Way - Matopos Region
Impact: Anticipated 700 farms/year depending on supply costs each year; estimated to feed 7,000 individuals each year; 750 kids receiving school fees

Free Methodist Church Project, Magwegwe North
Impact: 102 children orphaned by AIDS sent back to school; Job training for 1; 25 youth attend camps/retreats during the year to get away and be kids, while receiving needed counseling & support for their grief; 100 people fed 4 times a year; Implementing Farming God's Way/Foundations for Farming
Partners: Neighboring churches, Farming God's Way/Foundations for Farming, CLRC

Matopo Mission Schools/Rotary, Bulawayo South
Impact: 25 students (some primary, some secondary)

Abandoned Children's Ministry
Impact: 30 abandoned children cared for currently; staff salaries, and general operations covered by this investment; requires $3,000/month/year to operate at current capacity. This investment, then, would equate to 1 month's operating costs at current need.

Mtshabezi AIDS Programme, BICC
Impact: 2,400 school fees, 400 VCT clients; 125 schools for Peer Education Programme; and 800 homebased care workers trained & 500 HBC kits distributed
Partners: BIC World Missions and Mennonite Central Committee

The Rock Church - Worrington, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Impact: 30 primary students; 200 person church receiving access to clean water now; farm will feed 23 children; new well and pump producing 300L a minute and providing clean water to an estimated 500-1,000 people

TCZ Leadership in HIV/AIDS Care Development Fund
Impact: 168 TCZ Alumni
Partners: Friends of TCZ, CLRC

ZAMBIA

BICC Compassionate Ministries, Choma, Zambia
Impact: 100 children, 25 high school students, 4 pregnant women & families
Partners: Mennonite Central Committee, TEAR FUND UK, BIC World Missions

CURE International AIDS Relief Project, Lusaka, Zambia
Impact: 100 HIV/AIDS children, patients at CURE Lusaka, Zambia
Partners: CURE International, Beit CURE Hospital

Free Methodist Church Ndola Project
Impact: 26 kids in primary school (school requirements)

Lubuto Church of Christ Project
Impact: 80 orphans (53 primary, 27 secondary) back to school (school requirements) and sewing/empowerment projects for 32 widows; hammer mill that will be used for sustainability - identified need for hammering mealie in the community that will generate income to sustain project, as well as provide food supplements for the kids and their caretakers. The project also wants to host semi-annual retreats for orphans (psycho-social benefit).

Ndeke ECZ Project (Evangelical Church of Zambia)
Impact: 48 primary and secondary kids, as well as 20 trained in homebased care, as well as funding to supply orphans and caretakers with health & food needs

New Life Ministries Church (Mercy Ministries)
Impact: 50 orphans back to school (school requirements) and 60 widows trained in tailoring skills, as well as start-up fabric. Acquiring of 4 sewing machines and repair of 7 machines.

TCCA Leadership in HIV/AIDS Care Development Fund
Impact: 200 TCCA Alumni
Partners: THETA

Twapia ECZ Project (Evangelical Church of Zambia)
Impact: 40 orphans, 15 vulnerable children attending school; 10 widows, 2 people receive needed training

Zambian Baptist Association (Ndola)
Impact: 50 kids school fees

Your investment is needed. Each year, through your continued support, Forgotten Voices International intends to continue expanding its impact around Southern Africa. Together, by God's grace, we can accomplish great things!

Click HERE to Donate Online.

To donate by MAIL, please send your checks to the following location:

Forgotten Voices International
P.O. Box 1368
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-1368

Checks may be written to Forgotten Voices International.

Note: Every contribution to Forgotten Voices International is tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. At the end of each year, you will receive a notice highlighting your contributions to FVI for the previous year. If you have any questions about this process, please contact us or talk to your financial advisor.