Stepping In
As members of the community we saw the pain and suffering around us and knew that something had to be done. We could not simply thank God for sparing our lives and our homes, we knew that God was calling us to help those in our community. The most basic human needs were most needed at first so we found different ways to help give water, food, and clothing to the people who needed it. Thanks to many generous donations from all over our city, country, and world we always found a way to help the people around us, but after a month of this work we began to see that the needs of our community were more profound than just food and water. We started using donations to buy construction supplies to help build homes for people that had lost their's in the earthquake.
With people fed and living in homes, we were able to see the need for jobs for the people who lost their jobs or businesses after the earthquake. With the help of many business owners from inside and outside our church, we were able to develop a program to help bring long term job recovery to our community. By using donated funds to purchase the equipment and machinery needed for individuals to start their own businesses we shifted from giving things to empowering individuals to bring change in the lives of our community.
As a team of volunteers reacting to a need, this project has been a large challenge and learning experience for all of us. We all have brought our own personal and professional experience and with the help and funds from many other people we have been able to build a program that has had a tremendous impact in the communities most affected by the earthquake.
With people fed and living in homes, we were able to see the need for jobs for the people who lost their jobs or businesses after the earthquake. With the help of many business owners from inside and outside our church, we were able to develop a program to help bring long term job recovery to our community. By using donated funds to purchase the equipment and machinery needed for individuals to start their own businesses we shifted from giving things to empowering individuals to bring change in the lives of our community.
As a team of volunteers reacting to a need, this project has been a large challenge and learning experience for all of us. We all have brought our own personal and professional experience and with the help and funds from many other people we have been able to build a program that has had a tremendous impact in the communities most affected by the earthquake.