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Why Do International
Organizations like to Collaborate with Churches in Health Programs?
International organizations are large agencies with money,
supplies, and technical health know-how. They need local partner groups
that are already working in the communities, and that know the history,
customs and languages. They search for reliable non-government, non-profit
organizations to collaborate in health programs. Churches are exactly what
they are looking for:
Churches are indigenous organizations, rooted in their
communities, with trained local leaders.
Churches are already doing a great deal of health work.
In some countries, churches operate more than half the hospitals and dispensaries.
Often they have been doing it for 40 or 50 years, or even more.
Churches feel they have a mandate from Jesus Christ to
serve the poor and oppressed, whoever and wherever they are. Most churches
offer their health services to everyone in the community, regardless of
their ethnic group or religion.
Churches often know how to get things done at minimum
cost.
Churches are non-government organizations, so they are
free to try new approaches and start pilot health programs.
Churches are committed to long term development. International
organizations may be able to help for only a few years, but churches intend
to continue their efforts indefinitely.
In other words,
churches and international
health agencies
are looking for each
other.
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