Berichte
God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9,7
Stability and change at Partner sein
When you leaf through the current project brochure of Partner sein you may notice that apart from a number of long term projects, also new projects are being supported and that several projects with which you have become familiar are no longer there. This is partly thanks to political changes in the recipient countries as well as the result of on the spot visits by members of the Partner in commission.
The new project list, as well as the Lenten Calendar issued by the three Swiss church charities, HEKS (Swiss Reformed Church), Fastenaktion (Roman Catholic Church) and Partner sein (Old Catholic Church) are intended to accompany the Swiss people through Lent 2024. As well as giving information about the activities of the three charities, they are intended to motivate people in their Lenten activities. Of course, they also ask for financial support for the projects as a sign of support from our affluent society to create a fairer world.
The 2024 project brochure of Partner sein comes in a new layout. Even though the design is new, the core remains unchanged. The 35 Projects, which Partner sein will support, in Africa and Asia are described and it is easy to get an overview of our work. Supporters may choose to support a specific project or Partner sein‘s work in general.
Winning with goat breeding
One of the projects, which has generated much interest, is presented in the Lenten Calendar under the title «Mit Ziegen siegen». Under the auspices of the household school in Bulyakamu, Uganda, orphans are given young goats. Under the watchful eye of their foster parents, they learn to take responsibility in raising and taking care of these animals. Any money raised through the sale of milk, meat and offspring helps to pay for school fees. With CHF 60 you could finance the purchase of a goat and help one of these orphan children to a better life.
New projects have been established in the Philippines. In spring 2023 several members of the Partner sein commission visited our long established projects. In discussion with our local partners, new projects came about aimed at bettering the lives of small farmers and fishermen. Apart from the long established Kindergarten projects on the island of Bohol, Partner sein is financing some new machinery and agricultural implements for peasant farmers. On the neighbouring island of Mindanao, we are supporting small fishermen with the purchase of new boats and nets to replace those destroyed by a tropical storm. Also on Mindanao, we support the purchase of three feed pellet machines to support the ecological breeding of pigs.
In addition, Partner sein has for a number of years set aside a sum of money for quick and unbureaucratic help in the event of catastrophes. In recent years we have helped people suffering as a result of the war in Syria as well as providing quick relief to victims of the Syrian and Turkish earthquakes. Such events cannot be planned for and it is important for the commission of Partner sein that a budget position is available.
New project orientation
Apart from the Philippines, there have also been changes in our African projects. Particularly in Uganda, where we have for many years run a series of successful projects. In 2023 the Ugandan Government passed a strong law against homosexuality with the possibility of long custodial sentences. The Archbishop of our partner, the Anglican Church of Uganda, congratulated the government. The Bishop of West Bugunda, responsible for our projects in Uganda also supports the stance of his Archbishop. The support for this discrimination by the Church of Uganda fundamentally contradicts the values of Partner sein. Consequently, the Commission of Partner sein decided to support no new building projects in the Diocese of West Bugunda, since such buildings, upon completion, become property of the diocese. We greatly regret this decision, our successful school project in Kanoni was one of our flagship projects. However, we continue to support three projects in Uganda which are run by other project partners.
Our activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have increased. We were happy to see, during our visit in 2022, that not only can we rely on our local partners but could also see what good work was being done. We could also establish that our help was still greatly needed. The number of projects has grown to 14, amongst them our well loved „Cows for families” programme and the continued support for the work of Dr Philippe Amani, the only practising psychiatrist in the region of South-Kivu dealing with traumatised and sexually mishandled children and women. Since last year new projects include the purchase of a flat-bottomed boot for the transport of sick persons from the island of Idjwi, assisting the schooling of pygmy children and financing a number of sewing machines for newly qualified seamstresses in Goma.
Partner sein thanks you for your support
We are a little bit proud of what our small charity has achieved in the recipient countries over the years of our existence. Our over 30 year long cooperation with the other Swiss Church charities HEKS and Fastenaktion has borne much fruit. Most of all however, we must thank you yourselves, with your support we have achieved a lot. Not only have you interested yourselves for the work of Partner sein but in addition, you have been a regular financial supporter, allowing us to bring God‘s help to the poorest.
The 2024 project brochure of Partner sein comes in a new layout. Even though the design is new, the core remains unchanged. The 35 Projects, which Partner sein will support, in Africa and Asia are described and it is easy to get an overview of our work. Supporters may choose to support a specific project or Partner sein‘s work in general.
Winning with goat breeding
One of the projects, which has generated much interest, is presented in the Lenten Calendar under the title «Mit Ziegen siegen». Under the auspices of the household school in Bulyakamu, Uganda, orphans are given young goats. Under the watchful eye of their foster parents, they learn to take responsibility in raising and taking care of these animals. Any money raised through the sale of milk, meat and offspring helps to pay for school fees. With CHF 60 you could finance the purchase of a goat and help one of these orphan children to a better life.
New projects have been established in the Philippines. In spring 2023 several members of the Partner sein commission visited our long established projects. In discussion with our local partners, new projects came about aimed at bettering the lives of small farmers and fishermen. Apart from the long established Kindergarten projects on the island of Bohol, Partner sein is financing some new machinery and agricultural implements for peasant farmers. On the neighbouring island of Mindanao, we are supporting small fishermen with the purchase of new boats and nets to replace those destroyed by a tropical storm. Also on Mindanao, we support the purchase of three feed pellet machines to support the ecological breeding of pigs.
In addition, Partner sein has for a number of years set aside a sum of money for quick and unbureaucratic help in the event of catastrophes. In recent years we have helped people suffering as a result of the war in Syria as well as providing quick relief to victims of the Syrian and Turkish earthquakes. Such events cannot be planned for and it is important for the commission of Partner sein that a budget position is available.
New project orientation
Apart from the Philippines, there have also been changes in our African projects. Particularly in Uganda, where we have for many years run a series of successful projects. In 2023 the Ugandan Government passed a strong law against homosexuality with the possibility of long custodial sentences. The Archbishop of our partner, the Anglican Church of Uganda, congratulated the government. The Bishop of West Bugunda, responsible for our projects in Uganda also supports the stance of his Archbishop. The support for this discrimination by the Church of Uganda fundamentally contradicts the values of Partner sein. Consequently, the Commission of Partner sein decided to support no new building projects in the Diocese of West Bugunda, since such buildings, upon completion, become property of the diocese. We greatly regret this decision, our successful school project in Kanoni was one of our flagship projects. However, we continue to support three projects in Uganda which are run by other project partners.
Our activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have increased. We were happy to see, during our visit in 2022, that not only can we rely on our local partners but could also see what good work was being done. We could also establish that our help was still greatly needed. The number of projects has grown to 14, amongst them our well loved „Cows for families” programme and the continued support for the work of Dr Philippe Amani, the only practising psychiatrist in the region of South-Kivu dealing with traumatised and sexually mishandled children and women. Since last year new projects include the purchase of a flat-bottomed boot for the transport of sick persons from the island of Idjwi, assisting the schooling of pygmy children and financing a number of sewing machines for newly qualified seamstresses in Goma.
Partner sein thanks you for your support
We are a little bit proud of what our small charity has achieved in the recipient countries over the years of our existence. Our over 30 year long cooperation with the other Swiss Church charities HEKS and Fastenaktion has borne much fruit. Most of all however, we must thank you yourselves, with your support we have achieved a lot. Not only have you interested yourselves for the work of Partner sein but in addition, you have been a regular financial supporter, allowing us to bring God‘s help to the poorest.
Changed: 01.02.2024 Visits: 38 month