Community Care | Our women lead efforts to help the community help themselves.
Community Care is a program begun by Betty Zihove designed to teach women how to meet their own needs and the needs of others. Think of it as community development on a small scale. Years ago, as Betty would meet with ladies for study and discipleship, they would bring needs to her that Betty could not always meet. She thought of ways to teach these women skills which, in turn, could provide a way for them to generate a little income. This allowed them to meet their own needs and even help others. This ministry began in the early 1990's and has grown since then.
"Sewing" and Reaping
One of the major skills taught is sewing which allows the women to create anything from table cloths to clothing which can be sold, often to visitors and foreigners. The photo above shows a Community Care sewing class. Initially started by Betty, this class now has a another teacher. Often the participants in the class are women who are being discipled from the church.
Other Projects
Community Care also teaching women to buy corn during harvest time and then to resell it in time of need when the community needs it most. The making of peanut butter is another skill put to good use to generate income and help others. Serving the elderly is yet another project under Community Care that the women get involved with. In addition to these projects, Community Care also helps facilitate the running of an orphanage that Asmon, Emmanuel's younger brother, started in 2000. The orphanage is nicknamed "a place of refuge" and currently is in need of building repair and construction after high winds destroyed most of the structure in 2006. Lastly, the women of Community Care work at the feeding centers helping distribute food as part of the famine relief ministry of Oasis of Grace Ministries.
"...whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become
in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14