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July 2009

The Forgotten
War
Engage globally,
grow your
Church
Identity
Postcards
from the field
How you
can help
ay Savage
Photo: McK

PAGE 10

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PAGE 18
er from the Director
3 Lett
rld News
4 UnitingWo
OLIDARITY
6 CHURCH S ntinues
the story co
6 Sri Lanka, h
glo b a lly, gro w your churc
8 Engage and the New
India
M illi on a ire
10 Slumdog
l
11 Amie Dura

CE
12 EXPERIEN the field
from
12 Postcards
elp
13 You can h
nding need
13 Current fu

AND DE V ELOPMENT
14 RELIEF Uniting Visio
n
me, A
14 A New Na
t
14 Lent Even
15 Identity
see
16 Trust and ws
Project Up dates and Ne
18
e timeline
18 Zimbabw
pdates
19 Appeal U

KING
20 PEACEMA updates
gram
20 Peace pro eace
Hela Reg ion Unites for P
20
’s for 2009 istan
21 Joy’s plan flict Zon e; India and Pak
in the Co n
21 Working
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JULY 2009
A new name, a new look,
a renewed commitment…
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.
The decision was made by the Assembly We’ve switched our format from We also see Australian churches seeking
Standing Committee in late 2008 on landscape to portrait. This change allows connection and to share Christ’s love.
recommendations from a year long process us to use paper that is 100% recycled, We invite you to join with us in connecting
of consultation, prayer and deliberation. uncoated and cheaper. We’ve made some communities for life.
UnitingWorld encompasses all the programs changes to the style of the magazine in
of the former UIM and UCOA including In this issue you’ll read stories that may
keeping with our new logo.
Young Ambassadors for Peace and People horrify, challenge or energise you. All come
in Mission. All our work is embodied in our At UnitingWorld, we have the honor directly from our experiences with our
four program areas - Church Solidarity, of working closely with our partners partners and all are issues that you can
Experience, Relief and Development directly engage with.
and sharing in their struggles. We see
and Peacemaking.
mothers struggling to provide for their
We’re very excited about our new name, children, fathers bent under the burden We welcome your feedback and
logo and unified identity. We’ve also made of finding a job where there are none thoughts, email us any time at
a few changes for this issue of UnitingWorld and whole communities crying out info@unitingworld.org.au
magazine that we hope you’ll enjoy.
for justice.

Office news: Correction:


• We welcomed Bruce Mullan, Associate Director (Pacific). In our last issue a story entitled ‘Knox Grammar travels
to Lelehudi’ appeared, about a group of boys from
• We welcomed Elle Shepherd, Communication Officer Knox Grammar traveling to a village in PNG.
for Relief and Development programs.
The Headmaster of Knox was incorrectly referred to in this
• We welcomed Bryan Cussen, Pacific Project Officer article as the Principal and ‘she’. The Headmaster of Knox
for Relief and Development programs. Grammar is John Weeks and the Head of Christian Studies
and Social Justice is Helen Clarke. After visiting Lelehudi
• We said goodbye to Hannah Hoskin, Communication with his wife and Helen Clarke in November 2007, John
Officer for Uniting Church Overseas Aid. Weeks felt confident that a partnership with the community
would be of benefit to the students and that they could visit
• On March 11 we officially made the switch to our
there with safety. Helen then arranged and led the boys on
new name – UnitingWorld. the inaugural trip in July 2008.
• February 24 saw the beginning of Lent and Lent Event. UnitingWorld apologises for the confusion.

UnitingWorld Staff
Rev. Dr Kerry Enright Rob Floyd Bryan Cussen Sharyn Robinson
National Director Associate Director Pacific Project Officer Schools and Community Liaison
kerrye@unitingworld.org.au Relief and Development Relief and Development Relief and Development
robf@unitingworld.org.au bryanc@unitingworld.org.au sharynr@unitingworld.org.au
Kathy Pereira
Associate Director Rev. Laurie Fitzgerald Rob Lutton Amy Elizes
Experience Associate Director Community Relationships Donor Liaison Officer
kathyp@unitingworld.org.au Relief and Development Manager amye@unitingworld.org.au
laurief@unitingworld.org.au robertl@unitingworld.org.au
Rev. John Barr Sarah Chesson
Associate Director Joy Balazo Amy Goodhew Executive Assistant
Church Solidarity (Asia) Associate Director Communications Coordinator sarahc@unitingworld.org.au
johnb@unitingworld.org.au Peacemaking amyg@unitingworld.org.au
joyb@unitingworld.org.au Russell Groves
Bruce Mullan Elle Shepherd Compliance Officer
Associate Director Communication Officer russellgroves@unitingworld.org.au
Church Solidarity (Pacific) Relief and Development
brucem@unitingworld.org.au elles@unitingworld.org.au

2 UNITINGWORLD
from the national director

a new name:
a uniting vision t
Letter from Kerry Enright

What UnitingWorld does is driven by our belief about


who people are together in Jesus Christ. It flows from
believing that Christ connects people and communities
at levels deeper than what might ever divide us.

I saw this startlingly enacted many years ago. Over the last two years, we have enabled a number of congregations,
agencies and schools to partner communities overseas. Over the
In the early 80s I studied in the United States. Ronald Reagan was
next three years that will become a major part of how we function. We
the US President. Chernenko was the Soviet President. It was still
are developing a methodology and resources to multiply partnerships
the Cold War. There was still an Iron Curtain. Nuclear weapons faced
across the whole Church. We intend to start small so we can learn
off, held at bay by the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction.
well and so those with whom we work can become advocates.
During this era, one Sunday in a US Church, I witnessed a baptism
At the core and what sustains the effort is the belief that this is how
into the body of Christ. A couple of weeks later in the Soviet Union
Jesus meant us to live, connected as individuals and communities
I witnessed a baptism into the same body of Christ in an Orthodox
and that we need to receive that gift from him afresh.
Church in St Petersburg. At that moment these two people, divided
by ideology, language, culture, politics, distance and war became Such relationships change us. As this focus develops, you will hear
brothers and sisters in the most profound way. stories of overseas partners as usual, and new stories of what
difference it has made to Australian communities.
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 A connection UnitingWorld has made is much in mind at present. The
the poverty of people dying from hunger and thirst. We welcome each leaders of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, President Ame
other and open ourselves to their perspectives and experience. Christ Tugaue, General Secretary Tuikilakila Waqairatu and Deputy General
connects us with them for life. Secretary Tevita Banivanua are trying to deal diplomatically with the
military dominated interim government. This is despite provocative
This by-line “connecting communities for life” represents
action from the government and a strong sense of injustice among
a new focus for UnitingWorld, of working more intentionally
many Methodist members. UnitingWorld stands in solidarity with
with Australian
an church communities.
our partner and we are advocating the Australian government and
our 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.

Kerry Enright – National Director

JULY 2009
UnitingWorld
news
South Australia and
Queensland celebrate
launch of UnitingWorld
In 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, C
Connected
t d ffor Lif
Life
a round table meeting, question time and prayer.

National Director Kerry Enright thanked those present for


with the United Church
their rich contribution to the overseas work of the Uniting
Church and expressed our desire to re-energise the global
in the Solomon Islands
engagement of our denomination. When NewLife Uniting Church in Robina QLD appealed for funds
for Helena Goldie Hospital in the Solomon Islands they were
He said, ‘In recent years, the Church rightly emphasised the thrilled when their target of $30,000 was exceeded with $70,000
local nature of mission. Today God is renewing the global given at final tally. These funds will enable the construction of a
spirit in us as we sense how deeply Christ connects us house on hospital grounds that will be used for training hospital
beyond the local – that’s why the name is Uniting, and its and community health staff.
global, not just local, so its UnitingWorld.’
Lead Minister at NewLife, Stuart Cameron said “The great gift
‘We want to support you in enthusing your friends, your to me in our partnership with the United Church in the Solomon
congregation, your communities for this engagement. Islands is to be inspired by people who are so resource poor by
We ask you for your support, your prayers, your interest comparison with us but so rich in God in the way they live out
and your contact.’ 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 couple
new website of trips to the Solomon Islands and also hosted visitors from
the Solomon Islands to our congregation. We’ve been involved
As part of our new name and structure, in each others worship services, met in small groups, had
UnitingWorld has also launched a new meals together and talked about different challenges we
website. Our new site can be viewed at face in proclaiming the gospel in our countries.
www.unitingworld.org.au and provides “We have laughed together. We have cried together. We have
comprehensive information on our sung together. We have prayed together. We have done life
projects, church partners, the countries together and that is what partnership is about. And as we
in which we work as well as resources have done that we begin to learn from one another.”
for your engagement. If your congregation in interested in exploring
If you have any suggestions for what you partnership directions please contact
would like to see on the new site please Uniting World +61 2 8267 4267
email info@unitingworld.org.au

4 UNITINGWORLD
UnitingWorld news

UnitingWorld lobbies Canberra


This March, UnitingWorld, the ACTU and other civil are working hard to persuade Pacific
governments of the advantages of their
society leaders met with Australian parliamentary and approach.
government leaders in Canberra to ask for a fair go UnitingWorld’s view is that the Australian
on trade talks with Pacific nations. By Bruce Mullan and New Zealand governments are
operating like free trade evangelists and
On a recent visit to the Solomon Islands Under the agreement it is estimated that it appears that only civil society groups
I watched hundreds of happy children the Solomon Islands government will lose including the church are presenting
heading for class at the Kokeqolo up to $31 million Solomon Dollars annually alternative views.
Community School. Here a small team in tariffs currently collected on imports from
of teachers deliver education with few Australia and NZ. The question must be We have developed a policy paper on
resources, inadequate facilities and asked, how will they continue to pay their trade justice and in July will request the
limited professional preparation. Children teachers and provide basic health and Assembly adopt this paper as the basis
like Joseph, who I met in Kokeqolo, are education services to the community? for representations and advocacy. The
a reminder of the severe impact a free paper points out that while trade offers
trade agreement will have. Motivated by children like Joseph and our opportunities to foster human development,
commitment to stand in solidarity with our an unrestrained international trade system
partner churches I was part of a delegation potentially will leave the poorest and most
that met with Parliamentary Secretary vulnerable behind.
FACT: (Pacific Island Affairs) Duncan Kerr and key
advisors for Trade Minister Simon Crean UnitingWorld encourages you and your
Overseas aid by rich community to advocate for fair trade
and Parliamentary Secretary (International
countries fell 8.4 percent agreements and for trade negotiations
Development Assistance) Bob McMullan.
last year from 2006. to take account of Pacific Island realities.
As Australia and New Zealand engage in
PACER Plus round of trade negotiations You can download a copy of the
with Pacific nations both countries paper at www.unitingworld.org.au.

JULY 2009
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 in
Australia 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
Her community is now a united one and
maintains 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 don’t 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 are
appalled 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
Sydney’s Martin Place on Sunday 24 May

6 UNITINGWORLD
church solidarity

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 Lanka
may 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 emergency
appeal 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
Donate
camps’ as there is no freedom of movement You can donate via the website
beyond them. Those in camp suspected of www.unitingworld.org.au, or call 1800 998 122
ties to the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have been
removed by the army and have not been
seen since.
Advocate
Funds raised will provide essential food and The Hon Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs
equipment, pastoral support and medical
supplies. We are also seeking to establish
has said ‘we [can] help the Sri Lankan government,
emergency accommodation to provide a the Sri Lankan people achieve an enduring, lasting
day care service, meals, counselling and peace’ you can write to the Minister to register your
equipment to displaced communities. support of this stance and your ongoing concern.
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
Pray
assistance is urgently needed”. The UnitingWorld website has prayer resources for
Sri Lanka provided by the Christian Conference of Asia.
*Names have been withheld to protect those
in the conflict zone.

Our Church Solidarity programs (formerly church connections) are brought about
together with our partner churches. These programs support the church life and
ministries of our parttners, connecting them with Australian communities.
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JULY 2009
engage globally,
grow your church
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

8 UNITINGWORLD
church solidarity

1. 3.
Being Other-Centred Intentionally Living
A key longing of any Minister or church the Acts 1:8 Vision
leader is to instill within the people of faith Most Australian churches embrace the
a focus upon those outside the Church and Acts 1:8 call to do mission to those in our
to equip them for this task. This is of course own culture (Jerusalem), those somewhat
Christ’s calling on us: to love as he loved… different in culture and social standing
to give as he gave… to go to others as he (Judea) and to people of very different
came to us. cultural expressions (Samaria). We sink a
In the last 15 years, some leaders have lot of time, money and energy into this call.
viewed global mission as a distraction from But it’s the ‘ends of the earth’ bit that can
the local task. But, refreshingly, mission get us stuck. We’re happy to give to a bit
in local and global forms is again being here and there, but if a mission worker
celebrated as one of the primary core from our church is finishing their time in
values of the church. Indeed, new leaders a particular country, then our giving and
are actively looking for an integration of the praying for that cultural group often ends
local and the global as they engage the with them. I wonder that if we were to truly
biblical framework afresh. embrace a particular country and church
When an Australian community has a partner, as per the Acts 1:8 vision, our
deep, mutually enriching partnership with commitment to continuing that focus would
an international partner church, it has the not waiver with the transition of staff.
potential to breathe into their culture a What an opportunity we have: to look
wonderful other-centredness. There is a beyond our own backyard and connect
commitment to the partner church and the intentionally on a global scale. By giving
issues they face, with no view to a “return sacrificially of ourselves and learning from
on investment”. We love as Christ loves. our overseas partners, we allow Christ to
shape our own lives, to reveal to us how

2. our consumer-cum-celebrity culture is


stifling His mission. Thankfully, our lives
will never be the same.
Exposure to New
Ways of Being If your church is interested
Related to this other-centredness in forming a partnership
is the change in us that comes from
with a church overseas,
close connection.
contact UnitingWorld.
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
UnitingWorld is on this every be more relational in our approach to life
and witness and considered whether our
journey: discovering how
thankfulness for the gospel was diminished
genuine partnerships that are due to our materialism. We took these
connecting communities in challenges back to our church in Australia
Australia with those overseas, and saw many lives, and indeed the culture
is genuinely transforming of the church, significantly impacted.
lives and entire churches. It’s Australian culture has become so diverse
as simple – and profound – as that a one-size-fits-all approach to
focusing on others, learning mission can no longer cut it. As Australian
new ways of doing church and churches, we have the opportunity to
learn from our partner churches overseas:
seeking to give expression to to discover and integrate their creative
the Kingdom of God in places approaches to witnessing and bringing
near and far. justice and peace.

JULY 2009
slumdog millionaire
and the new India
The fi
fillm, “Slumdog Millionaire”, scooped the movie awards for
2008. However, there have been mixed reactions. By John Barr

ONE OBSERVER SAID THE FILM HAS Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation Within the South Asia region India takes
A “FRESHNESS” WHICH “PORTRAYS A of modern India? Few people would doubt its place as a nuclear state alongside
CHANGING INDIA, with great realism, as that India is making its mark these days. Pakistan. Unresolved conflicts in Kashmir,
a land of self-makers, where the scruffy son The world’s largest democracy and the recent bomb attacks in Mumbai and fears
of the slums can, solely of his own effort, world’s second largest population cannot about Pakistan’s ability to deal with serious
hoist himself up, flout his origins, internal conflicts are creating
break with fate.” “Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation significant regional tensions.
The war in Sri Lanka and the
Others are less affirming, of modern India? Few people would doubt fate of Tamil communities, who
suggesting the film portrays that India is making its mark these days.” have strong links with South
India negatively. “The West India, adds to the situation.
loves to see us as a wasteland, There is a complex juxtaposition
filled with horror stories of exploitation and be ignored. Economic growth exceeding here involving poverty and wealth, tradition
degradation” said one Indian critic. This is 9% in recent years has created an increase and modernity, social harmony and the
a stereotypical “white man’s imagined in living standards and India is now a constant possibility of war.
India” said another. “Its not quite snake global player in information technology,
charmers, but its close, it’s a poverty tour.” telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. Refusing to see India’s future in terms
of pure chance or good luck, the Church
The term “slumdog” has also inflamed Meanwhile, India does face massive of North India, the Church of South India
reactions among slum dwellers. In Mumbai, problems with 300 million untouchables and the Presbyterian Church of India are
posters were displayed saying “I am not a and 70 million tribals locked into a cycle of making constructive contributions to India’s
dog”. Meanwhile activists claim the movie is endemic poverty. Landless farm labourers future. These churches advocate on behalf
“offensive, demeaning and insulting”. Sadly, still toil under oppressive conditions for a of India’s minorities, they provide education
the term “slumdog” is now being used as very meagre wage and religious minorities and medical services to marginalized
a slur against Indians living overseas. continue to be brutally persecuted. 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.

“Slumdog Millionaire” offers an


insight into modern India. But
there is much more to this country.
Our partner churches are integral
to the changes taking place.
This is a critical witness and the
Uniting Church works in solidarity
with these churches to enable
communities across India to have
a real future in this great country.

Photo: McKay Savage

FACT:
Australia and India
are both members of
the Commonwealth

10 UNITINGWORLD
church solidarity

profile: AMIE DURAL WOWED YOUNG AUDIENCES AT


NATIONAL CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONVENTION

Amie Dural
09 WITH HER VIBRANCY AND STORIES OF
FAITH AND JUSTICE.
She has led an extraordinary life. After her husband spoke
out about human rights abuses in the Philippines two years
ago, 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 commitment
to the gospel. Amie worked for an inter-church agency
that included the Uniting Church’s partner, the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines. Now in New Zealand
until it is safe for the family to return, Amie continues to
provide 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.

Amie’s help goes with UnitingWorld’s increased


engagement with the Philippines. Through our Experience
program, Elizabeth Mullan from Wesley Canberra will
be working with a Manila congregation on community
development among people living on one of Manila’s
massive rubbish dumps. We are also exploring our first
development programs there, alongside the existing
Young Ambassadors for Peace work.

AFTER NCYC, AMY GOODHEW How does God work in


SAT DOWN WITH AMIE. your community?
“When a pair of shackled feet
What are the biggest challenges cannot walk, God mobilizes others tot walklk
your community faces? for another man’s/ woman’s freedom.”
Persecution. Religious leaders and workers Was the message from the Guerrero family
became victims of unjust detention, (the family of the kidnapped and detained FA
FACT:
CT
C T:
torture and murder during the Marcos Pastor Berlin Guerrero) as prayers, letters
dictatorship. These human rights breaches of support and solidarity actions flowed Appr
Ap prrox
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el 90 mi
mill
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ll ioon
are happening again at a time when the within the Philippines and from Australia, peop
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government claimed there is ‘vibrant Canada and other places around the world worl
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democracy’ in the Philippines. The majority when Pastor Berlin was unjustly detained. undern
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of Christ in the Philippines. What are your hopes? and th
an the Pa
P ciifific.
c.

Anyone who speaks out and advocates For the churches to continue and Wo
W o
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ld Reso
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for meaningful social change is seen as strengthen their relationships with the Pilo
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a threat. Many have been murdered. communities that have been broken by Eccos
E osys
osys
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ms, Fe
Febr
bruaryry 20001
UN reports and others held the military unjust socio-economic order, military
responsible. But no one has been seriously aggression, cultural discrimination and
investigated or convicted. political corruption.

JULY 2009
Experience placements (formerly known as People in Mission
placements) are the ultimate learning opportunity. Experience
programs provide the chance to spend time working with
a partner church in a mission or development placement.

Placements can range from just a few Are YOU able to serve? These Critical Placements are ready right now for
weeks to commitments spanning years, be interested volunteers. Please consider taking up one of these important opportunities:
undertaken as an individual or as part of a
1. Architect/Architectural Draftsperson – urgently needed to facilitate a training
team. Each placement is unique and shaped
course at Tupou Tertiary Institute in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. 3-12 months commitment or
by the needs of the host community but all
longer needed.
aim to build the capacity of communities.
Placements are available in Asia, Africa and 2. Librarian – or teacher able to work in a Library – urgently needed for 2 theological
the Pacific and require a variety of different college libraries in the Pacific (Tonga and Fiji). 6-12 month commitment needed.
skills to assist the host community.
3. Youth work - you will assist in developing the capacity of local people to develop
Placements are life changing experiences programs that engage young people in the life of the church. They are ready and
that challenge and immeasurably enrich both willing to explore and try new ideas that connect with young people. 3-12 month
the communities and individuals involved. commitment needed.

postcards from the field


p
2. D0NA S
PENCER
ALLIS
ND LYN W Dona, an artist
1. GARY A ve
and a ministry ca
ndidate
India would gi at Trinity Theolog
‘The parents in ve
ical College in
ei r children to ha Brisbane, has re
anything for th l gi rls ar e a ten week field
cently returned
from
The Hoste
an education. ns of ch ildren experience in Ki
education place
ment
plicat io
chosen from ap ribati. Dona shar
ed with
t villages. They us, in her final we
from the poores d “Here, we are co ek of this place
m
en trance exam an unting the days ent:
have to do an gi rls are week is here. I , and we can’t be
lieve
e. All the am filled with m the final
t offered a plac amazement, sa ixed feelings –
e on es w ho do the best ge dness and also
excitement at th
of wonder, grat
itude,
th
the church. The preschool e thought of my
sponsored by e girls gather families are giv return.
d even ing at 6:30 pm th That is going to ing me a farewe
at 6:00 am an lves singing, be a bit sad. ll feast tomorrow.
Every morning re ct ed by the girls and invo
for prayer. This
is self di e singing, then Thank you for yo
ge fro m the reading, mor and any ur prayers ever
Bible reading,
mes sa hool and staff power of your pr yone – I believe
othe r, th eir families, the sc ayers daily”. I experience the
prayer for each
at arise.
other needs th

3. R0BERT
JETTA AN
D R0BERTA
In 2008, initial dis STANLEY
cussions were
and Richard Wall held between Un
ace from UAICC itingWorld
Training Progra National Leader
m - Yalga-binbi ship
Development, ab Institute for Com
out potential lin munity
Experience and ks between Un
work with indige itingWorld
result, we are sh nous communitie
aring in an InSo s. As a
cultural exchan lidarity (short te
ge) experience rm cross
in Tonga. This vis with our church
it will take place partners
Wallace, Robert in May with Rich
Jetta and Robe ard
by Kathy Pereira rta Stanley, acco
(Experience Pr m panied
(Church Solidar ograms) and Br
ity – Pacific). Th uce Mullan
e
4. Will YOU be th
sharing first hand ey will be spendin
in the crisis mini g ten days
Wesleyan Chur stry work of the
ch in Tonga. Wor Free

next Volunteer?
we will be sharing king alongside
in the ministry to ou r partners
and single mothe Deportees, stree
rs, Lifeline Tong t girls
a and other prog
rammes.
12 UNITINGWORLD
experience

you can HELP.


How much does it cost to send Volunteers are supported through local • Regular updates and prayer points from
a volunteer into a placement for church communities, both financially and UnitingWorld about the volunteer’s work
12 months? in prayer and pastoral support. This is an and regular newsletters from the volunteer
exciting way to work as we are all participants themselves.
The answer is about one cup
in God’s work together. • The opportunity to correspond with the
of coffee a week.
For regular supporters of UnitingWorld volunteer while they are in their placement
To fully support a volunteer to
volunteers, we offer ongoing updates for and offer pastoral support for them.
work with our partner churches
it costs an average of $10,000 church communities and individuals who • An object from the volunteer’s host culture
per year. This includes all would like to support a UnitingWorld volunteer. to display that reminds everyone of the
costs – airfares, insurance, Supporters will receive the following: support you are offering.
basic living allowance. • A volunteer profile and, if possible, the • Readings for you and your church about
50 people give $5 per week volunteer will come and share with you global mission.
= a volunteer can go and serve. about their planned activities

you can support volunteers through a general fund that


is used for assisting anyone who is struggling to gain full financial support
prior to serving overseas. UnitingWorld will allocate funds according to need.

you can support specific volunteers either as a one


off donation or on a regular basis e.g. $20 per month for 2 months.

UnitingWorld currently needs


Carmen Webster
support for the following volunteers: – $2,500 needed for 3 months
Carmen is a vibrant, joyous woman who wants to
Leslene Woodward stretch herself and use her gifts in a cross cultural
– $5,000 required for 6 months setting. She has been working at a local Uniting
Leslene is an amazing woman who has been Church Opportunity Shop in South Australia and is
developing the Library at Tamil Nadu Theological going to take up a placement in Tonga where she
College in India. Having come to the end of this time, will be assisting with a number of Sunday School
Leslene is keen to finish her mission service programmes and Adult Bible Studies.
by using these gifts in Kiribati, where she will be
working on Library development at Tangitebu
Theological College. Mr and Mrs Hong
– $20,000 needed for 12 months.
Mr and Mrs Hong work in remote areas in China
Daryl and Eleanor Burford and also in work in North Korea, establishing and
– $5,000 needed for 3 months facilitating an orphanage and TB clinic. This work is
extremely complex and challenging. But Mr and Mrs
Daryl and Eleanor are planning to spend a minimum
Hong have made amazing progress and have learned
of 3 months sharing with our partner church in Papua
to rely on God for their daily needs. You can support
New Guinea in the Papuan Islands region. They are
them as they work in this difficult area of our world.
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 For a full list of current and approved volunteers
be of enormous value to the community and we urge needing support visit www.unitingworld.org.au
supporters to assist in providing the resources needed
to send them to this placement.

JULY 2009
The Relief and Dev velopment unit of UnitingWorld supports comm muniity
deveelopment and capacity building for communities in Asia, Afrrica an nd the
Pacificc. Projects incclude water supply, health care, food security
y, voccational
train
ning, education, economic empowerment and emerg gency reliief.
Uni
U
Unnitin
ngWorld is fully accreditted w
with AusA sAIDID, th
the Australian goverrnmnment agencyy for or iint
nterna
atition
onal
a development. It is also
a signatory to the
e Australlian Co
Coun
unci
cill fo
forr In
Inte
tern
rnat
atio
iona
nall De
Deve
velopmen
ent (A
( CF
CFID
ID)) Co
Codeeooff Co
C nd
n uc
u t. Both these guidelines ensure
w meet the highestt st
we s andards in finan a cciial repportitng
n , trran
ansparenncy
cy, ma
mananage
geme
ment
nt and eth hical practice.

Dona
Do
ona
n tition
ons of $2 an
andd ov
over
e to relief and develop
pment
n pro
rograms are tax de
deductible.

As reported earlier in this issue, we have Although our name has changed
reached a significant point in our history. our approach and work remain
Uniting Church Overseas Aid is now the the same. UnitingWorld will
Relief and Development unit of continue to focus on the Pacific,
UnitingWorld. Peace programs such as Asia and Africa and the way we
Young Ambassadors for Peace are also work with our church partners
part of the unit. will remain unchanged.

FA
FACT
ACT
Th
CT:
:
he Mi
M lllen
nni
nium
um Dec ecla
lara
la ra
rati
ati
tion
onn
lent event
The Lent Event bible study theme for The team is encouraged by the numerous
re olv
resolved
ed
d tha
h t all ch
hil
ildr
dren
dr
drenn wou uld
d churches in Queensland this year who
2009 “Finding Faith in Testing Times” has
be ab
be blle to
to com
omp pllet
ete a co
cour
urse
ur
urse e of have taken on the Lent Event challenge.
proved particularly relevant. The study
prim
prim
primary
ary ed
ar edu
educ
uccat
atio
tio
ion by
by 20 0115.
5. Their involvement contributes to our Relief
asks key questions, core to what Lent
and Development programs in Papua New
Thrre
Thre
Th ee rre
egi
gion
o s –E Easst As
A ia
i aand
nd
d Event is all about – following the example Guinea, Timor Leste, South India, Sudan,
the P
the
th Pa
aci
aci
cifi
ifi
fic,
c, Eu
c, urrop
ope an
ope and C Ceent
ntrra
al of Jesus in caring for those who are poor Solomon Islands and Zambia.
Asia
As ia, an
andd La
Latin
tiin Am
Amer eric
er ica
ica an
and
d and responding to injustice. Over 3,000
To all those who have participated we trust
th
he Ca
Cari
Cari
ribb
ibb
bbeeaan – araree on
o ttra
rack
k study guides were purchased and many you have been personally enriched and we
to a
to ach
chie
ch iev
vee thi
his go
goal
al.
l. more downloaded from the Lent Event look forward to sharing with you the impact
website www.lentevent.com. of your support of these projects.

14 UNITINGWORLD
relief & development

Among the many horrors Government authorities wanted at one


point to make their region a sanctuary for
and grief of the bushfires in tigers, believing that only a single family
Victoria this summer has been lived there. The project staff were able to
the loss, for many, of almost show that this was not true. They were able FACT:
to produce detailed files on families known
every document that identifies to them, each file with a photograph of Every day, a European
them – no driver’s license, no the household, names, birth dates, ration cow gets more in
passport, none of the usual cards, immunization certificates, school subsidies (approx
certificates and any other correspondence US$2.20) than 1.2 billion
papers. Are you who you say related to that family. With assistance from of the world’s poor have
you are? What rights do you project staff, the adult Self-Help Groups
to live on
have to insurance, property, a have formed a Federation that meets
annually with 500 people. This has given
pension? by Margaret Reeson the people a strong identity and voice was
they petition government departments.
Those who have experienced this kind
of loss will understand the importance of They aree able to declare: I am here.
being able to establish identity. Identity is I have an identity. I have worth.
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 shy
and 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-school
teachers, 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.

JULY 2009
trust A few months ago I began to meet with
a spiritual director who encouraged me to
read and reflect on a book called Ruthless
Ramakesh and his family come from
a simple farming community in the hills
outside Tavua, east of Nadi. Last year

and
Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God by he began to fall behind in his reading at
Brennan Manning. school, and became so frustrated that he
ceased attending school altogether. His
The book argues that the key to well-being
teacher suspected he had eye problems
and the walk of discipleship is a ‘second
and wrote to the clinic after hearing of the
conversion’ of trust and gratefulness.
visiting UnitingWorld team offering eye

see
He says, “unwavering trust is a rare
surgery for those who are poor.
and precious thing because it often
demands a degree of courage that After an examination by Dr Jeremy Smith,
borders on the heroic.” Ramakesh was diagnosed with cataracts
His thesis is that followers of Jesus who in both eyes and scheduled for surgery the
have not learnt the art of trusting God next day on the more problematic left eye.
regardless of circumstances live in a I was there to shoot a short video on how
By Rob Lutton perennial state of spiritual ill-health. He
the team expresses Christ’s compassion
suggests that Christian well-being centres
among those who cannot see but it was the
around being able to, “whisper a doxology
trust exhibited by the young Indian Fijian
in darkness.”
boy that spoke most to me.
With Manning’s book in my backpack and
At every point he trusted the medical
its thoughts filling my mind, in May this
team. He trusted the guidance and love
year I joined five Nurses, four Doctors,
of his family and, in a sense, he trusted
one Orthoptist and a medical student who
the goodwill of the Uniting Church in
would be performing life-changing eye
Australia whose generous donors make
surgeries on local Fijians. It was a great
lesson in what ‘unwavering trust’ meant this team possible.
as I saw this 11 person team at work. The day after the surgery, I went to the
The team, a joint partnership between family home and arrived to a hero’s
St Clair Uniting Church, Westmead, welcome. A curry par excellence was
Nepean and Lautoka hospitals, the placed before me and I was treated like
Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma royalty. This was in effect gratefulness
and the Relief and Development Unit of to the UnitingWorld eye care team and
UnitingWorld, has visited Fiji for the last the Uniting Church in Australia.
four years to provide much needed surgery.
I walked away reflecting on how I express
In May 2009, they successfully conducted
gratefulness to those who have contributed
94 cataract operations.
to my life but even more on the rich trust
When I saw six year old Ramakesh* (name of Ramakesh and family in the visiting
changed for security purposes) arrive in UnitingWorld team - this was a real glimpse
the Lautoka hospital waiting room, I saw into the kind of trust the love of God in
a future in the balance. Christ calls me to.

16 UNITINGWORLD
relief & development

Images on opposite page:


Dr Jeremy Smith, a leading Ophthalmologist
and Uniting Church elder, operating on
Ramakesh’s eye
The moment of truth. Ramakesh arrived back
at the clinic and the patch was removed by
Orthoptist, Maria. As the realisation that his sight
was restored sank in, the gratefulness in the eyes
of his mother and father broke all our hearts – the
smiles said it all.
Images on this page:
Dr Smith talking to Ramakesh’s mother before
the operation
Mum (Mrs Prasad) and Ramakesh
Ramakesh happy at play. Because of the
operation, Ramakesh played, read and laughed
in a way he had not done for a long time.

getting involved
Donate money Donate equipment
UnitingWorld covers costs of the trip and Eye care equipment or suppliers are always needed
supports the team donating their time and skills

Serve
Partner This team is formed by the lead Doctors from
This kind of engagement is the result of a their own hospital staff. However, UnitingWorld
congregation taking the Acts 1:8 ‘ends of the has many opportunities for professionals to use
earth’ call seriously and entering into an their medical, IT or educational skills to build the
intentional partnership with UnitingWorld capacity of our partner churches

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

JULY 2009
project updates
PNG UnitingWorld India office
T Safe Water for Rural Areas
The In February UnitingWorld celebrated the rededication of our office
project expanded in 2007- 2008 to
p in Coimbatore, India. Bishops and key leaders from the Church of
a further eight rural villages and South India and personnel from UnitingWorld represented the UCA
now provides safe drinking water
n at this dedication.
ffor around 5,500 people. The
success of this project in Milne Rev. Jacob Belly, a minister of the Church of South India, will
Bay has led to the establishment lead the team and will work with local staff, the leadership of
of a second local team in the the Church of South India and the Church of North India and
Central province. In 2009 these UnitingWorld in Sydney.
assist a further eight villages to
two teams will as
Ron Reeson, a representative of the UCA at the service said ‘All of
access safe drinking water with all future water projects including
us gathered in Coimbatore that day knew that this marked a new
a sanitation component.
era in the relationship between the Uniting Church and the Church
The Church Partnership Program has gone from strength to strength of South India.’
since its inception. UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development unit and
our partner the United Church in Papua New Guinea took what The occasion was marked by a group of young girls from families
began as a one person development operation and made it into a devastated by the terrible tsunami of 2005 singing for the group.
thriving Development Unit of 25 people. In January 2009 all 25 staff These girls are now completing vocational training in Coimbatore,
of the Development Unit in Papua New Guinea came together for supported by funding from UCA.
the first time. Here the staff established contracts, a code of conduct
and annual activity plans for their work. UnitingWorld is excited to In Celebration of Water
see the progress our partner has made in community development. When the taps were turned on in four Dalit (low caste) villages in
Vello
Vellore, South India it was an occasion for wild celebration.
Everything in Common Two taps, a header tank, a small pump house and a very
Our Everything in Common gifts deep borehole were installed though a partnership between
catalogue has provided many A
AusAid and UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development unit.
people with a gift that makes T
These are community taps, available to Christian and Hindu
all the difference in the world. a
alike. Women’s groups in each place have been
g
given the responsibility for monitoring and
Donations to date will provide:
co
controlling water use.
• 200 goat herds and 500 single
goats in East TImor Au
Australians know something g about drought
an water restrictions but ass Margaret
and
n Zambia
• 200 books for the Jordan School in
Reeson, who was present att the
• 157 eye assessments and glasses in Fiji celebrations observed ‘Our women men
• 4 peace workshops and associated costs for Joy Balazo do not have to spend hours each ch day
ing
in seeking drinking water, walking
Overall the catalogue has been a huge success raising just under ater
long distances to fill a single water
$105,000 for Relief and Development programs in Fiji, East pot. We do not have to give ourr
Timor, Zambia Papua New Guinea and West Timor. children water that may carry
water-borne disease.’

Zimbabwe timeline
UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development water harvesting programs
in Zimbabwe were significantly slowed down because of the
instability inside the country. With Morgan Tsvangirai’s rise
2001
Finance Minister warns of
to the role of Prime Minister, hopes have also risen that
programs can recommence. UnitingWorld continues
1998 serious food shortages as
most western donors cut
Economic crisis and
to monitor the situation closely. aid because of Mugabe’s
riots occur.
land seizure program.
Below is a timeline of the
disintegration of events 1987 2000 2002
in Zimbabwe. 1980 Mugabe & Nkomo
merged their parties Zanu-PF narrowly Parliament passes a law
Mugabe wins into Zanu-PF. fights off a challenge limiting media freedom.
UnitingWorld invites you
independence from the opposition
to pray for the people Mugabe became Mugabe re-elected amid
elections and led by Morgan
of Zimbabwe. Executive President. accusations of election
is named Tsvangirai.
fraud by the opposition
Prime Minister.
and foreign
18 UNITINGWORLD
relief & development

appeal updates
Mwandi OVC Project Fiji Emergency Appeal
Your generous donations have e In January this year Fiji was hit by the country’s worst flooding in
allowed us to provide ongoing 50 years with waters rising to as high as three metres. The floods
support to our partner church, claimed the lives of 11 people and forced thousands of people to
the United Church of Zambia, evacuate their homes, leaving behind their livelihoods. The damage
for their Orphans and bill is estimated to be more than US$43 million.
Vulnerable Children project
The poorest were hardest hit by the storms with essential services
in Mwandi.
and agriculture in rural areas destroyed. Many businesses and
The project now provides: services will take several months to recover.

• Essential foods and vitamins to more than 220 children Since the launch the appeal has raised over $30,000 and
per day, six days a week we are working with our partners to see these funds used to
alleviate suffering.
• Each month the project distributes 330 pieces of clothing
• 500 blankets were distributed in the colder months
Jordan School Appeal
• Over 700 children have been given the opportunity to
The Jordan Community School is located in Zambia, which is stricken
undertake education and with the recent completion of
by HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that more than one in every seven adults
a sewing centre many more will gain vocational skills.
is living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Teachers and children either infected
or affected, lack psycho-social support, counselling services, adequate
West Timor Income Generating Projects nutrition and other basic needs.
The cattle fattening project in West Timor has provided an
To address this issue in 2008 the Relief and Development unit
opportunity for over 1120 people to transform their lives during
launched an appeal to support the Jordan Community School.
the three year span. There are currently 224 active loan clients
UnitingWorld offers shelter and care and psychosocial support for the
and between January and September 2008, a further 176 cattle
students as well as a teachers allowance for the school. The Jordan
were purchased and disbursed in the Betun region.
school has seven teachers and caters for 360 children from grades
Similarly the economic empowerment project has enabled many one-seven. At present, there is almost no support being received
to provide a better future for their family. Between January 2008 by the school.
and July 2008 over 1040 small entrepreneurs received loans The appeal has raised over $50,000 and
which have indirectly impacted around 4,515 people. Since it’s FACT:
will enable these children to receive vital
inception in 2006 the economic empowerment project has made support and education. Thank you to all The total amount
over 4200 loans and as of July 2008 the majority of active loan those
thos
thosee who
w o gave
wh gav generously.
gen
ener
erou
ousl
sly.
y. of water on the
clients were women. All loan clients have been able to save an earth is about 326
average of two months wage thanks to the project. million cubic miles.
Of all this water,
As a direct result of these projects many clients have been able humans can use
to increase their business size and income, send their children only about three
to school, carry out work on their homes and establish second tenths of a percent.
businesses. These projects are now winding down and our
partner is developing ways to continue this success.

2003 2009
General strike is followed
by arrest and beating
2008 Morgan Tsvangirai ai
is sworn in as prime
me
of hundreds of people.
Tsvangirai is arrested twice in
2006 Opposition won parliamentary elections &
Tsvangirai won first round of presidential poll.
minister after power
wer sharing
agreement reached.ed.
Year-on-year inflation Mr Mugabe wins presidential run-off election
a week of opposition protests Zimbabwe business and public
exceeds 1000%. New and is sworn in after Mr Tsvangirai pulls out.
and is charged with treason. servants paid in US dollars to
banknotes introduced. 100 billion dollar banknote introduced as year-
stem inflation.
on-year inflation rate reaches 2m per cent.

2005 2007
Mugabe and Tsvangirai sign power-sharing deal.
Annual inflation rate hits new high of 231m
Trading resumed at the
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange with
Zanu-PF party wins two-thirds transactions only in US dollars.
of votes in parliamentary polls All rallies and per cent.
but opposition party says demonstrations Water supplies cut off by government in Teachers agree to end a year
election was rigged against it banned for three response to rising cholera outbreak long strike after the government
months promised to review salaries

JULY 2009
peacemaking
Hela Region Unites
for Peace
On the 2nd of October, 2008 a long hoped for
event occurred as 32 warring tribes based in the
Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea came
together to sign permanent peace treaties. The
historic signing came after decades of war and
conflict in the region gave way to lengthy peace
negotiations. By Hannah Hoskin
The ‘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 people’s cultural,
religious and political differences then I believe peace is always

Peacemaking programs possible,”.


On the day of the signing hundreds
O
UnitingWorld peace programs are run through oof tribesmen marched shoulder
Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), a program tto shoulder through the village
of Tari. The sight of these once
o
established by Joy Balazo. These programs strive
warring tribes walking unified
to build a culture of peace and justice brought hundreds of Tari villagers
in communities in need of conflict resolution. out on the streets. Dignitaries and
the wider community witnessed
Young Ambassadors for Peace has centres in Indonesia, Sri
each tribe proclaim the new-found
Lanka, India, Burma, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the e
and advocate for a joint approach
peace an
Solomon Islands. Each centre is supported by local staff who are
to develop the village, school and farms. This is an amazing
passionate about breeding peace in their communities and trained
achievement given handshakes and even making eye contact
to run effective peace building workshops.
with an enemy was once unheard of.
YAP is voluntary in nature and uses training, networking and “Pulling up the ‘roots of conflict’ in war-torn societies like the Southern
action to build a culture of peace in communities. This occurs Highlands of PNG goes beyond simply downing weapons” Joy
through mediations which are generally seven -eight day intensive explains. “Peace-building involves fostering trust and a culture of
live-in experiential workshops designed for participants to peace.” The peace workshops and mediations undertaken by these
recognise their potential. The workshops help people recognise once warring tribes helped the communities find their own ways
the layers of fear and mistrust that have blocked the communities’ of resolving the conflict.
capacity to resolve the conflict. The transformation of the
Now that peace has been established in the Hela region, developers
individual is a key element as people re-discover themselves.
can finally begin work in stabilising, growing and assisting the area,
The workshops do not impose ‘solutions’ but help communities
providing a much needed financial boost to PNG. Tourists are now
find their own ways of resolving conflict.
safe to travel to Tari and humanitarian aid agencies are restoring
Young Ambassadors for Peace has been highly successful in the hospital and providing much needed medical assistance to the
empowering people to create peace, resolve conflict and build community. It is through the work of YAP that the area is now safe
friendships across barriers of conflict and violence, paving the for this needed development.
way for much needed development. YAP negotiators will continue to work with the tribes on programs
Donations over $2 to Young Ambassadors for Peace are to sustain peace in communities, while tribes will work together
tax deducible. to ensure prosperity for their region and their people.

20 UNITINGWORLD
peacemaking

YAP updates:
Working with Women in the Solomon Islands Joy’s Plans for 2009:
Late last year a YAP workshop was conducted in Auki, FEB 1 – 12 YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku and
Malaita Islands with 18 women from Malaita and Ambon, Indonesia workshop and village visits
Guadalcanal Islands. This was the first all female
workshop for the Solomon Islands and focused on MAR 22 – 28 YAP and Closing the GAP Joint
planning meeting
re-building the damaged relationships between the
two islands which was a result of conflict in 1999. APR 16 – 22 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop for
Ministers and wives
As the workshop progressed the fear and worry of these
two groups of women slowly melted away. Each day was an MAY 22 – 31 YAP Burma Training of the Trainers and
opportunity to understand and rebuild the broken relationship workshop
between the two groups. JUN 15 – 19 Rotary World Peace Symposium
Birmingham England
The farewell demonstrated the success of the workshop with
each participant crafted a necklace to hang around the neck JUN 22 – 26 Visits to European YAP funders:
of their newly found sisters. Council for World Mission, World Alliance
of Reformed Churches, World Council
Toward the end of last year YAP Solomon Islands was invited
of Churches and UK Methodist Church
to a youth rally organized by The United Church in the Solomon
Islands. Here the YAP staff engaged the youth on the work of JUN 29 – 5 JUL YAP Philippines visit
YAP, definitions of conflict and conflict mapping. It was very
successful with the youth contributing their ideas about conflict JUL 22 – 27 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop
and building. for police force

JUL 29 –4 AUG YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop for Wasai


Healing for Ambon armed groups

October last year saw a YAP workshop run for AUG 21 – 31 YAP Training of the Trainers and Workshop,
32 mostly Muslim men from villages in the area. North East India

Violence still erupts occasionally, especially among young SEPT YAP Training of the Trainers and workshop,
people. The majority of the participants hold important positions Solomon Islands
in their villages and can be influential proponents for peace. 0CT YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku,
Indonesia workshop for Muslim villages
The workshop brought the participants from enemy villages
together to discuss how they will bring peace to their villages. It N0V YAP workshop Tari
was inspiring to see true friendship developing between ‘enemy’
leaders. As a result of the workshop the participants committed DEC YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku, Indonesia
to end the violence in their communities. workshop for Rajahs

Working in the Conflict Zone; India and Pakistan


By Ron Reeson
The people of North East India have lived with conflict for many Joy reflected “I think the ‘militancy in Manipur’ is the most disturbing.
years. The area is agricultural and produces rice, tea and coffee. It is The landlords (an underground movement against the government)
densely populated and extremely cold in the mountains. Society here collect taxes, set prices, control with guns and exploit the people.
is very unstable and the fear of war is constant so close to the border They encourage strikes to destabilise society and government. They
with Pakistan. militate against peace. The people’s enemy is not another tribe. It is
their own people in the community”.
Joy Balazo has been working with leaders of the Presbyterian
Church of India and in late 2008 ran a YAP workshop. The workshops At the end of the workshop Joy was rewarded by enthusiasm for
revealed that strikes, HIV/AIDS and alcohol were the key factors the program after initial skepticism. ‘It was encouraging when then
causing conflict. Several plans were developed to begin working on they added ‘you did not teach us what we know. You taught us
these issues. about ourselves.’

JULY 2009
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