From Faith to Action - Faith to Action Initiative

There are more than 12 million childrenorphaned by HIV/AIDS in Africa. This is astaggering statistic that we cannot ignore. Ihave seen fi rst-hand how churches and faithbasedgroups in Africa are walking their faith byresponding with great compassion and care tothe needs of children and families. I believe thatthe Church here in the U.S. has an importantrole to play in supporting these efforts. We needto remember that every child is loved by God.From Faith to Action is a wonderful resource forall those with a heart for children.~ Kay WarrenSaddleback ChurchLet us keep reminded that vulnerable children(if not properly equipped and empowered)often make vulnerable adults, families andcommunities. From Faith to Action gives insightinto promising practices and intervention modelsthat will help transform millions of orphanedand other vulnerable children into safer,healthier and gainfully skilled youths and leadersagainst HIV and AIDS in Africa and beyond.From Faith to Action is a must read for all thoseof us with a mission to strengthen and multiplyfamily and community care for orphans andvulnerable children in the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.~ Rev. Canon Gideon ByamugishaINERELA+, Kampala, UgandaSupporting family and community care fororphans is the way that Christian institutionsin America and beyond can make the greatest,most lasting difference. For those serious aboutthe call to care for Africa’s orphans, From Faithto Action is an excellent resource, providingclear, useful and practical guidelines.~ Steve HaasWorld Vision United StatesI have recommended From Faith to Actionto many people who wonder where to beginin responding to the needs of orphans andvulnerable children. This document highlightsthe importance of partnering with grassroots,faith-based organizations that are committed tofamily care. From Faith to Action cuts throughthe misconceptions that often surround this issueand presents important principles in a clear,concise format.~ Lynne HybelsWillow Creek Community ChurchWe have received our copies of From Faith toAction. The respectful but clear caution in termsof institutional care is excellent! It is very wellwritten, easy to read, interesting, and beautifullypresented. It presents a picture of peoplestruggling but coping. We see their strength andare encouraged to help out of compassion, notpity. [The] publication makes us feel part of alarge group of people all over the world workingtogether to serve children and families. It givesus hope.~ Rachel Rozentals-ThresherRob Smetherham Bereavement Servicefor Children, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaFrom Faith to Action manages to achievesomething that’s deceptively diffi cult andprofoundly important. In a clear and readableway, it bridges the gap between the complexityof technical issues and alternatives related toproviding appropriate care in various sub-Saharan contexts with the simple fact that achild needs a family.~ John WilliamsonUSAID/Displaced Children and Orphans FundMy wife and I have been blessed with twobeautiful sons who became a part of our familythrough international adoption — we can’timagine our lives without them. However, westill remember the faces of the many children inthe orphanage who realistically had little chanceof ever being adopted. We often wondered whatwe could do to invest in the care and nurtureof their lives. From Faith to Action helpsprovide that answer. We are now committed toinvesting in community and local family care foraddressing the needs of orphaned and vulnerablechildren. I excitedly share From Faith to Actionwith any person or group who expresses interestin the global needs of children.~ John DerrickCooperative Baptist FellowshipThrough our work and experience, we haveexpanded our scope, seeking sustainablepartnerships with community-based programsand shifting our focus from residential care tocomprehensive community-driven responses.We have learned that children orphanedand affected by HIV/AIDS need family andcommunity in order to thrive, that the very bestand ideal place for a child is in the community.As we allow our faith to guide us in supportingthe collective work of our communities, FromFaith to Action provides concrete strategies tolink both prayer and action. We can respondpersonally and compassionately, supportingAfrican communities in their efforts to ensurethat vulnerable children benefi t from protection,health, education, love, and spiritual support.~ Bishop Charles E. BlakeWest Angeles Church of God in ChristSave Africa’s Children36