World Relief Mozambique's 2008 Child and Maternal Health Program

by World Relief

Victoria and John Wauterlek have announced a $50,000 challenge grant for World Relief Mozambique's Child Survival Program. We're sending this note today with a sense of deep gratitude for their generosity and help to promote the good work.

Nearly one fifth of Mozambique's children die needlessly before they reach their fifth birthday. Almost half of these deaths are associated with malnutrition. Other killers are malaria, diarrhea and upper respiratory infections.

On Saturday, February 23, 2008, Victoria and four friends from the US joined twenty village women under the shade of a mango tree, close to the Limpopo River, in a quiet breezy Mozambique village. They listened intently to an "animator," trained by World Relief to bring pictures and words "to life." With a picture flip chart, she introduced the causes of malaria and illustrated ways to keep mosquitoes away. By asking questions, the American women came to realize that the group had made drastic changes in life-style. The babies in their arms were plump and well cared for. The village women now understood the causes of illnesses and talked about changes they made in order to keep their children healthy.

As important, the women thanked God for releasing them from their past when they depended on witch doctors for help. Too often children's illnesses were blamed on spells or curses from neighbors and friends, resulting in fear, animosity, mistrust, anger and revenge.

Faith and trust in a loving God grows as mothers practice what they learn. At the close of the meeting, the women from Mozambique and America sang, danced and prayed together - celebrating God's blessing of knowledge and protection.

Understanding the impact of the Maternal and Child Health Program and with confidence in the field leadership, Victoria and John Wauterlek have announced a challenge grant of $50,000 for World Relief Mozambique's 2008 Child and Maternal Health Program.

Simply stated: to help reach our 2008 private contributions goal of $200,000, the Wauterleks will match - dollar for dollar - the first $50,000 in the door!

Once the full $200,000 comes in, USAID will release a matching grant of $548,000 to meet the over-all Mozambique Maternal and Child Health budget of $748,000!

This will allow us to continue ministries in five Mozambique districts (total population: 227,000); engaging 5,000 pastors and volunteers, reaching 63,122 mothers and 38,635 children under five. 750 churches are involved, bringing messages of life, health and hope to every household in their community, every week for a full year - at a cost of less that $7.50 per person! Based on the success of two prior 5-year programs, we expect the under-5 child mortality rate in the five districts to drop by 62 percent (equal to past Maternal and Child Health program outcomes implemented by the same leadership team in Mozambique).

If you would like to join the Wauterleks in funding World Relief Mozambique's 2008 Child Survival activities please write your check to:

WORLD RELIEF
In the memo line write: Mozambique Child Survival Challenge.

Mail your gift to -
World Relief
7 East Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21202

You may also give a credit card contribution by calling me at (443) 451-1919.

All gifts received over and above this $200,000 goal will be restricted to Maternal and Child Health programs in Southern Africa.

As you respond, lift a prayer to the One who has given us wisdom and knowledge not for hording, but to release more and more of God's servants to active service in every area of life - both here and in Mozambique.

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