When I accepted my current position to travel to and from Chad Africa, I was excited and apprehensive. What would I find there? Was it safe? Could I help the people in any way? What the heck was I doing in Africa? Chad is a war-torn country with frequent civil unrest; civil wars and rebel attacks on the captial city of N'Djamena are not uncommon. The government is one of the most corrupt in the world, actually ranking #1 most corrupt in 2005 with little improvement since. There are approximately half a million refugees from the various wars and from the surrounding countries of Sudan (Darfur), Libya, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Central African Republic. It ranks as one of the world's poorest countries (5th poorest) with about 80% of the population living under the poverty line. An average Chadian family makes about $1500 every year. There is very little electricity in the country, and what is available to the wealthy is unpredictable at best. Health care is nearly non-existent which is why the life expectency is 47 years and the infant mortality rate is 17%. A significant AIDS epidimic, malaria, a lack of food/water, and the civil unrest compounds the health problem, and generates many orphans and widows. It is also a highly poligomist society with about 40% of women living in a poligomist relationship. As for religion, over half the population is Muslim, about 1/3 Roman Catholic/Protestant, and the remainder is animist or atheist. In all, there are many difficulties to overcome for an average Chadian.
While in N'Djamena last fall, I met an extraordinary man named Kolpele. Kolpele is a Chadian who works for my company in N'Djamena, but also is a pastor of a small church and leads an orphanage called the Orphelinat Evangelique La Compassion (OEC) under the Assemblée Evangelique la Flamme de Feu (AEFF), (Evangelical Compassion Orphanage under the Evangelical Assembly of the Flame of Fire). Through his faith and dedication, he has brought in several widows and orphans and provides for them through his income. Kolpele travels the streets of N'Djamena and Chad to preach the gospel, perform baptisms, and to bring orphans and widows back to the orphanage/church; in essense he is a modern day Paul. When meeting Kolpele last fall, I also had the opportunity to visit this church and orphanage. There is a small courtyard where goats are kept, sleeping quarters for the orphans, a school, an office, and a cooking area. I noticed several very pressing needs while I was there; they cook on the ground, orphans sleep on matresses on the floor, there is no roof on the school, the church roof is quite small etc. Despite these conditions, the people and children I met had bright smiles and wanted to present me with what little they had.
After the experience, my heart went out to Kolpele and his church/orphanage and I decided to look for ways to help. I found a member of my church who created a non-profit organization, Peace Gospel International (PGI), that specializes in assisting people in developing nations (http://www.peacegospel.org/). Instead of purely providing financial support for basic needs, PGI strives to setup micro-enterprises that teach skills for self-sustainment. They accomplish this through financial support, assistance in business planning, and in prayer. For example, in India PGI developed a local dairy farm that meets financial needs of the natives. The mission of PGI is not only to setup micro-enterprise, but also to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since I am big believer in teaching the hungry how to fish instead of simply providing the fish, I thought it was a perfect fit to get Kolpele and his church into PGI.
Through God's grace, Kolpele, PGI and I have worked to include the orphanage/church under the PGI umbrella in spring 2009. Currently, Kolpele and I are discussing several sustainable micro-enterprise projects to provide income for the orphanage, the church, and for his ministries. The first project is a hen house that will provide sustinence for Kolpele and the church, as well as generating profit from selling eggs and hens. In addition, solar panels can be attached to the hen house to provide electricity to the orphanage, which is currently lacking. The second project is a carpentry shop, where students will learn carpentry and will build items for sale at local markets. The final project is a seamstress shop which would allow students to learn sewing and to create items also for sale at local markets. These three projects are under development and the business models are being created.
I am writing this blog for several reasons. First, to inform about the project and our mission. Second, to ask for thoughts and prayers for Kolpele, his church/orphanage, and his mission. Third, to ask for donations if you feel so inclined. There is a significant need for capital to complete some of these projects. There are also needs in the local congregation - clothes, shoes, vitamins etc. If you are so inclined, donations can be made by check or online at the PGI website. Since this project is now part of PGI, you can read the details or donate at: www.peacegospel.org/friends/chad. I will continue my work on this project and will provide updates as progress is made. There are other exciting plans in the works but I'll hold off on those until next time. Lastly, if you know anyone else who would be interested in this, please pass along the address. To spread the word is the best gift of all.
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