Contacts

Contents:

Countries

Web Links

History

Joining Hands Against Hunger is an international ministry of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (Presbyterian Church USA), and currently has networks functioning in the following countries:

(underlined items are web links) 

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You may wish to visit the JHAH web pages of the Presbyterian Hunger Program:

Presbyterian Hunger Program -  

http://www.pcusa.org/pcusa/wmd/hunger/

Joining Hands Against Hunger -  http://www.pcusa.org/pcusa/wmd/hunger/hands.htm

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Joining Hands Against Hunger

An Initiative of the Presbyterian Hunger Program

Presbyterian Church (USA)

History

The Joining Hands Against Hunger Programme was initiated by the partners of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, a ministry of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This initiative has been based upon the realisation that hunger is a complex phenomenon that cannot be addressed adequately through local food distribution and/or by limited direct service actions. Only by discovering and addressing root causes of hunger, locally as well as in the global arena, will we be able to bring lasting solutions. In realising this, a proposal for an holistic and co-ordinated approach to hunger ministry that includes initiatives at the local and global level and involves local church, non-governmental organisations and community based organisations was established. The aim was to respond to poverty without arrogantly taking charge of poor communities, without disempowering their leadership, and without perpetuating a style of mission based on money and power of the west.

In response to this, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its hunger program has participated with local partner church, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in establishing in-country community hunger Networks.

Joining hands against Hunger was established in January 2000 as a pilot programme, through December 2003. As of January 2003, the programme was operating in seven countries.  Early evaluations of the programme have led to a recommendation to the Presbyterian Church (USA) for continuing and expanding the programme beyond the pilot phase.

The relationship between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the country network is based on the following:

·       Mutual solidarity, prayer, spiritual reflections from various faith perspectives

·       Reflection and analysis of community problems and their global connections

·       Support for local organising by community groups

·       Training and developing local capacity in peaceful hunger action

·       Financial support for specific hunger action programs

·       Consideration of global hunger action strategies for PC(USA) congregations on the US side

·       Raising International awareness on issues of Hunger and justice

·       Participating in international advocacy on issues of hunger and justice

Integrated Programmes by Joining Hands Against Hunger

1.   Advocate for direct food relief of chronic hunger for impoverished communities.

2.   Promote economic development activities by impoverished communities who articulate and implement their own peaceful solutions to the rood causes of poverty.

3.   Advocating for policy change in political and economic systems to relieve hunger in impoverished communities and enable their self-development.

In the process, the Network promotes the spiritual healing or restoration of spiritual integrity of the communities by fostering its self-confidence, sense of identity, and creativity.

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