Shupiko has received training in conservation farming and poultry production. This includes breeding turkeys, chickens and livestock for a small income. Because of this initiative, Shupiko can support her family. "We do not struggle to get meat and to pay for school fees," she said. 

A new shirt, skirt, shorts, or shoes instills confidence into a child living at Khayelihle Children’s Village (KCV) and helps them wear their uniform to school with pride. Luke says, “At KCV I’m feeling safe and comfortable".

In Aweil, South Sudan, changing climate and weather patterns have negative impacts on local farming and the environment. Shorter, more intense rainy seasons mean less food and income. Seedlings are planted in social institutions such as schools, hospitals, churches, government offices in sub-counties and markets. Paulino, Project Director, says, "There is a high chance of survival of most trees in these places".

Ngonidzashe looks forward to transforming her health and providing for her family through beekeeping. Ngonidzashe is a single mother of five children. "I sell the honey to buy food for my children and for their health. Honey cures chest ailments," Ngonidzashe said.

Life in a wheelchair has caused Rebecca to experience isolation in her life. The LAFOSS Peacebuilding workshop was a different experience. The program was very inclusive of her disability. For the first time, Rebecca met with various community members and people outside of her tribe. "I have learned to interact with others," she said.

Salma is a very cheerful girl. Her family of six lives in a small shed of tarpaulin in the slums of Ambernath, Mumbai. Salma attends the Emmanuel Education Centre. She gets some basic education and one nutritious meal every day. Your gift of a meal helps to ease costs at home, as well as providing Salma with the nutrition she needs to to grow and continue learning. This education gives her the chance of a brighter future.

Piano from the The Church of Christ Thailand (CCT) Social Development and Services Unit (SDSU) assists farmers in the community with piglets. Providing a small business raising animals. As well as financial management and environmental impact training. This initiative will support the most vulnerable people in the Hill Tribes communities. Including women, the disabled and large families.

Pallavi dreamed of doing more than manual labour - packing food grains or cleaning. She wanted to learn how to use a computer but could not afford the lessons. Attending the free computer classes provided by Hosanna Ministries changed Pallavi’s life. She now has a desk job maintaining the stock of a grocery store. “I was able to complete the basic computer course, which has helped me get a small job in a local grocery store,” Pallavi said.

Electricity is intermittent at Melanesian Evangelical Churches of Christ's (MECOC's) office. Solar panels will provide power for communication with churches and their local leaders across PNG. This Great Gift ensures that our MECOC Officers have the confidence to know that when they step in the office they can do their work. There will be power available!

Healthy food options are not always available to Indigenous Australian youth. Your gift helps provide materials that support the garden program at the Dareton Youth and Community Centre. Ilker, the youth centre Director, is determined to make full use of the garden's produce. The cooking sessions and eating from the Turkish-style BBQ are a highlight!

Eneti received two female goats and training from Christian Care. Now the goats have increased to eight and Eneti has healthy breeding stock! She can support her family including her four-year-old daughter who has a disability. “Now we can sell a goat whenever we are under pressure to buy food,” said Eneti.

Many of the poorest farmers in the Aweil District of South Sudan still plough by hand - an exhausting and time-consuming task. CMI work with subsistence farmers, to pilot new methods of farming that are more sustainable for the future. This can double farming production! This will also help improve their food supply and income.

When churches are built in Mru villages, the buildings are used to worship, train, meet and pray together. It might also provide space for a small preschool. Your Great Gift means that buildings are restored and maintained. The buildings will be safe to meet in, dry and user friendly. 

The IMA Pathways Program seeks to provide emerging Indigenous Christian leaders with a safe pathway to grow in their Christian discipleship and to prepare them for future ministry. Brendon, a Noongar man and Indigenous Pastoral Outreach Worker, says, “The IMA Pathways Program is a good set-up for our mob as it’s designed to give support for us to access the right kind of training".

When people have access to functional and clean toilets, there is less sickness. The risk of drinking water becoming contaminated by faeces is lower. The possibility of bacteria spreading and causing outbreaks of diarrhoea is reduced. Women and girls are safer because toilets can be built closer to the village houses.

Activities like cultural learning tours, gatherings and retreats help facilitate listening and learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. "The Songline tour helped us grow our understanding of First Nations peoples and culture. It helped to broaden and deepen our compassion and response to God’s call to love our neighbour," said one participant. Coming together around the fire, whether literally or metaphorically, allows understanding, relationship building and greater unity through deepening relationships. 

The gift of a goat assists caregivers in South Sudan to provide for children they foster. Caregivers receive a capital injection in the form of two female and one male goat. They are very happy with their new goats, and with the income raised, are empowered to properly care for students attending Emmanuel and other not-for-profit schools.

Moyo uses his motorbike to reach rural communities and share the love of Jesus with unreached villages. He says, “When a bike is broken, evangelism is stalled!” He trained in motorbike repairs, learning how to change the shocks and oil, and to repair rubber. Now he supports other motorbike evangelists to maintain their bikes, too.

The support and opportunities given to women, people living with a disability and children are a result of our worldview: a mix of our culture, our faith and our experiences. You can help church leaders think through to a worldview that values every individual and learn how to take action that impacts their congregations and communities. The project started with a pilot with Fiji Community Churches of Christ and is now reaching Vanuatu.

Rural communities in Vanuatu are prone to natural disasters like cyclones. In the event of a disaster, it’s critical that communities know how to respond. Your gift will help train disaster committees to lead communities in times of disaster, and help them establish evacuation centres and disaster plans for emergencies. Your gift also helps communities identify vulnerable people, such as children and people with disabilities, ensuring they're not at further risk in times of disaster.

The house churches in Vietnam have shown a love to gather. They have a strong desire for training, prayer, learning and encouragement. Providing opportunities to gather will help leaders grow themselves and their churches.  

Providing cows to the community will provide opportunity to earn income from selling calves. The community’s School Management Committee will use the income to pay the primary school teacher's salary.  This ensures that children will have access to education in their community.

After the previous Partnering Together for Stronger Communities course, attendees said they were more comfortable designing projects and identifying risks. They felt they had the support of a GMP family that stretched around the world! COVID-19 has made connecting online so important but there is nothing like connecting face to face. You can help fund a two-week face to face training program, that will serve and connect COCOA leaders for years to come.

Your gift helps give theological or ministry training to emerging Indigenous leaders who may otherwise be unable to fund their education. Indigenous ministry training needs community and cultural resources and supports in place. Your gift will also facilitate support from Elders and mentors.