Integral Newsletter

February 2012

Laurie Cook — Feb. 1, 2012

INTEGRAL Q & A

True Freedom

Jackson Choi works for CEDAR Fund in Hong Kong and is part of the Integral Marketing Group and the focus group looking at developing an Integral global communications strategy...

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Hong Kong, then spent 18 years living in Canada, with 3 years in Australia sandwiched in between. I started at CEDAR Fund a few months after moving back to Hong Kong in early 2011.

What has been your most interesting job, apart from your current one?
My first job as a pastor in Calgary, Canada. This ministry reached grassroot Chinese immigrants and their Canadian-born children, so I had to constantly operate in a bi-cultural and bilingual mode. We also had a close working relationship with the church we were renting from. I truely treasured this mix and synergetic team work.

What is the main motivation for your work?
I grew up in a church that started in the 50s with a major mission in reaching one of the poorest parts of Hong Kong. Having lived in Vancouver for ten years I came to the conclusion that caring for the poor should be the core of our church life and expression of our Christian faith. It is in serving, not affluent living, that we find true freedom.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work, & why?
I went to Myanmar last August and it was a mesmerising country with a rich history, ethnic diversity and natural beauty. We visited an orphanage supported by CEDAR, which over 200 children call home. Even though they have nothing more than a few changes of clothes and hard bunk beds, eat plain steamed rice with pungent fermented fish sauce for breakfast with flies buzzing around, they have hearts of giants - always willing to share the little they have with a smile on their faces. Their singing was glorious!

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
The people I get to meet ... Well first I should say that I work with some very passionate, dedicated and capable people at CEDAR! I am responsible for promoting CEDAR in the areas of education, fundraising and advocacy so have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. That also includes people who work for the Members of Integral. I must say that I so enjoyed the fellowship and the time we spent together at meetings working towards making Integral even more effective in addressing the needs in our world.

What do you find the most challenging?
Like many other NGOs we are apprehensive about the looming global financial crisis. Although our local financial support has been steadily growing, overseas grants from the West have been drying up ... On the bright side, it motivates us to really get out there to find resources that we have not yet explored. It's a time to stretch ourselves while trusting in the Lord to provide for us what we need.

What has been your work highlight so far this year?
Our 11th CEDAR Barefoot Walk - a fundraising campaign that we have hosted annually for the past 11 years. We took people on a route through urban areas for the first time this year. This took us through a street where to the left was a public housing project and to the right was a luxury residential development. This had personal significance for me because my grandparents first settled in this very area, in a hillsdie squatter camp, when they left China in the 1950s. It was also a big encouragement that although the number of participants was almost the same as last year's walk, donations were up almost 100%!

What do you find inspiring about Integral?
I am quite a 'cultural junkie' so the chance of working with people from different cultural backgrounds toward the same goal is very exciting for me. Diversity is beautiful!

How do you relax?
Cooking. I find myself most focused and relaxed when I am sauteeing onions, hacking a chicken into pieces or stirring my risotto. Recently I have begun to explore bread making ... Mmmmm!

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?
I can hit the High C (C6) in falsetto ... I use to drive my choir director crazy by sometimes singing along with the sopranos!

What’s your favourite quote?
"Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 from the KJV Bible)

What is the most useful piece of work advice you ever received?
"Be the solution, not the problem."

INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

A Significant Milestone

Member MAP International has reached a significant milestone – since starting in 1954 they have helped improve the health of 2 billion people by shipping medicines to some of the world’s poorest countries…

“We are going to mark this major historical milestone by shipping enough medicines for 500,000 treatments to Liberia, valued at $2 million USD," says Michael Nyenhuis, President and Chief Executive of MAP International. "For more than 20 years we have been committed to meeting the health needs of the people of Liberia and since 1999, MAP has distributed $83.4 million USD in essential medicines and medical supplies to its partners on the ground in Liberia.” MAP plans to make the first distribution of medicines to Liberia in April 2012 and in partnership with Christian Aid Ministries, the medicines will be distributed to 39 medical clinics across the country.

The shipment will contain a wide assortment of medicines, including pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-fungals, vitamins and infant formula. MAP is working through official channels so that the initial shipment is accepted by Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and the 2011 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Cynthia Blandford Nash, the Liberian Honorary Consul General in Atlanta says, “The Government of Liberia is very pleased and excited to partner with MAP International on this important occasion. We will work with MAP International’s leadership to help ensure a speedy and efficient process in the delivery of critical medicines ... The Government of Liberia has agreed to provide resources and support to help celebrate this worthwhile effort.”

Michael says, “Over the years, Liberia has found a special place in our hearts as we have partnered with international and local NGOs, as well as critical access health facilities and short-term medical teams. And now in 2012 we plan to start a programme in Liberia designed to eradicate Buruli Ulcer, one of only a few neglected tropical diseases as identified by the World Health Organisation. We ask our friends who wish to join in our efforts in Liberia to donate to our campaign.”

January 2012

Laurie Cook — Jan. 11, 2012

INTEGRAL Q&A

'To do justice, love mercy and walk humbly' ...

Tone Lindheim is the International Programme Director at Norwegian Mission Alliance. She is part of the Integral Programme Group and the Quality Assurance Task Force.

Where are you from?
I was born in Bergen - the Norwegian city most famous for large quantities of rain!

What has been your most interesting job, apart from your current one?
I haven’t had that many different jobs, and still it’s hard to pick one over another but I have loved working with Norwegian Mission Alliance in the field in La Paz, Bolivia. It was a special gift to feel at home in a culture different from the one you grew up in. I had wonderful colleagues and I loved working with both churches and organisations on how to do Integral mission. The life and work in Bolivia has formed my life and my theology. I also met Fiona Boshoff (Integral Director) for the first time in Bolivia when she was working with volunteers!

What is the main motivation for your work?
My work feels like a way of living Micah 6,8: "To do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with my God." These three things come together in what I do.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work, & why?
Again, hard to pick, but meeting people in Liberia over the last few years has really touched my heart. In a post-conflict country where many things are so much out of order, I’ve met people with a sense of hope and with faith for a more peaceful future. In the midst of incredible need there is a sense of things moving in the right direction. Over and over I have heard people say: “a year ago we didn’t have this” or “six months ago this was not here.” I feel privileged to be part of an effort to bring life back to this beautiful country.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
To see that the different projects bring real change in people’s life.

What do you find the most challenging?
Things are challenging in different ways. It’s hard to keep motivated when there are too many nitty gritty details. And it is challenging to find out how to work in a way that really makes a difference to those who need it the most.

What has been your work highlight over the past year?
In May we had a leaders conference with the directors and presidents of boards from all our major partner organisations. It was a great experience to have this group come together to work on and discuss the essence of our partnership. I was touched and amazed by the atmosphere of openness and trust, and I believe this brought us a step further in our relationships and partnership.

What do you find inspiring about Integral?
Meeting very competent people who are willing to share and to learn together.

How do you relax?
Hiking in the mountains or in the forest feels great, but also a party with good friends where we can laugh long and loud!

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?
Very few secrets … but I can get addicted to playing backgammon on the internet. I guess that shouldn’t be considered a skill!

What’s your favourite quote?
“Our humanity is our point of connection with God” Magnus Malm (Swedish author).

What is the most useful piece of work advice you ever received?
At the beginning of my work in Bolivia, a good friend advised me to put myself in a position where I would both give and receive from my colleagues – and "for real". This was so that I could really experience that I needed and was dependant on my colleagues. That gave me relationships that I value greatly and that taught me a lot.

INTEGRAL MARKETING GROUP

Night Without A Roof

After a number of successful 'Night Without A Roof' events organised by Tear Netherlands, fellow Integral Member Tearfund Belgium was inspired to try out the idea themselves.

"About two years ago, Tearfund Belgium and the Belgian Evangelical Youth Association decided to work together to raise awareness amongst young people about the fact that they can really make a difference in this world when it comes to poverty," says Cecil van Maelsaeke, CEO of Tearfund Belgium. "So, a local youth group from Ghent, a member of the Evangelical Youth Association, decided to mobilise their friends for the first 'Night Without a Roof' in Belgium."

'Night Without a Roof' was started by Tear Netherlands, and it was with their blessing that Tearfund Belgium, the Evangelical Youth Association and the local youth group from Ghent organised a very successful Night Without a Roof on the 26th March 2011. "The local youth group decided to make a big event out of it", says Cecil. "The event started with concerts, workshops and information about the project that was going to be supported - a project in Bolivia for streetchildren." About 150 young people attended that night, with 73 staying for the night under the stars. Those that did stay outside were sponsored to sleep in the open air in cardboard boxes, something the streetchildren in Bolivia have to do every night.

Cecil says, "Because of the success of 'Night Without a Roof', Tearfund Belgium has decided to continue to promote it in Belgium, in collaboration with the Evangelical Youth Association. We are grateful to Tear Netherlands for the inspiration to start this new approach to supporting projects."

March 2011

Laurie Cook — Mar. 8, 2011

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
Integral Programme Group: Increasing Integral Collaboration
Intergal Q & A: A Sense of Calling and Purpose

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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

Increasing Integral Collaboration

Following the Integral Board meeting in October 2010, there was agreement that Integral pursue closer collaboration in disasters. A working group, made up of Integral program and marketing directors, was formed to progress this, with Ruth Faber from Mission East (Denmark) as the Chair. A nine month project has started this month, known as the Joint Disaster Management Methods Project. Cressida Thompson has been appointed as the Project Manager and Colin Walker as the Disaster Management Process Developer ...

"The scope of the Integral Joint Diasaster Management Methods Project is 9 months," says Ruth. "It is our aim that by November 2011 we will have significantly increased Integral's disaster response potential. We also want to raise the profile of the Integral brand towards the Christian, donor and international aid communities, as well as maximize opportunties to apply for institutional funding when a disaster hits."

Cressida, who is based in the UK, says, "It has been great getting to know Integral better over the last few weeks and understanding how this project can help Integral in reaching those in emergencies in the most effective way. I'm looking forward to working closely with the Member Agencies, the Secretariat and the working groups so that the end product will be simple, effective and helpful for busy field staff responding to a disaster."

Colin is a British national currently living in Cape Town, South Africa. He says, "It will be a pleasure to work together with Christian NGO's to serve God and His people throughout the world. The vision of disaster management collaboration is an excellent one, and God's promise is that where there is unity, He commands a blessing. Integral's heart to provide a better response to the needs of the poor is worth investing in, and I am very happy to be on board."

The Integral Secretariat is delighted to welcome Cressida and Colin to their virtual team!
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INTEGRAL Q & A

A Sense of Calling and Purpose

Philippa Peck is the Tearfund UK Director of Marketing and Fundraising, and is one of the three members of the Marketing Networking Group on the Integral Joint Disaster Management Methods Project Working Group ...

Philippa Peck, Director of Marketing and Fundraising, Tearfund UK

What has been your most interesting job?
Apart from my present one, I really enjoyed producing pop videos. Long hours were spent often in random warehouses or locations, listening to the tracks over and over again. A variety of props and post-production techniques were used to deliver the final films ranging from hoses used to imitate rain or CGI work. The artists were also intriguing - some were really down to earth musicians on one end of the specturm, others were real disco divas, complete with entourages and difficult dietary requirements at the other end of the spectrum!

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
My commitment to following God's plan for my life, which currently means very early starts to commute to Teddington! Providing for my family and a sense of purpose in my work is important to me.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
It's difficult to choose one! On my last trip to Tanzania I had the privilege of staying with Eliada and her beautiful family in her house for 3 days. Luckily my translator was not great so we communicated on a deeper level, through actions rather than words. I have very happy memories of chasing her goats at sunrise. Also, seeing church and community mobilization first hand through our partner work was life changing. All the groups we met were working together to ensure a better future for themselves. The plans they had for their lifes were coming to fruition and they had such a hope for the future and true sense of community. I left far more blessed than I could ever imagine.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
My team - they are such a great bunch of people, highly skilled, passionate and committed. It is a delight to lead them and see them develop. It's also great knowing that I am a small part in helping Tearfund to realize it's amazing God-given vision.

What do you find the most challenging?
The lack of capacity we currently have in the team means that we can be very deadline driven. It's frustrating as we often do not have the time to really chew over issues before making decisions.

What do find inspiring about Integral?
Its commitment to collaboration and the potential leverage the members can achieve by working together to realize greater impact.

How do you relax?
I'm at my most content and happy at home, either hanging our with my children or messing around in the fields with my horse.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world? Or where was your favourite place to live?
I've been fortunate to live in NY, LA, Warsaw, Hamburg, Frankfurt, London and now West Sussex. Each place has been perfect at the time and I'm one of those people whom the expression 'wherever I lay my hat is my home' is true. Last year I had a vacation with my daughter in NY and would like to move back there in the future, maybe when my children are at college age.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?
I'm a pretty good seemstress when it comes to sewing blinds!

Tearfund's website
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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

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Email Us: s.fordham@integralalliance.org
Visit our website: http://www.integralalliance.org
Write to us: Tyndale House, 3 Grange Road Egham Surrey TW20 9QW, United Kingdom
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February 2011

Laurie Cook — Feb. 16, 2011

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
Integral Member Agency: New President for World Relief US
Integral Program Group : Forging New Partnerships in China
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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

New President for World Relief US

Integral Member World Relief US has elected Stephan Bauman as their new Chief Executive Officer and President. Stephan has served as the World Relief Senior Vice President of Programs since 2007. He first joined World Relief in 2005 as Country Director for World Relief Rwanda. Stephan starts his new role in May ...

Where are you from?
Originally from southeastern Wisconsin in the US, not far from Chicago.

What has been your most interesting job?
My present one—it’s a joy to lead and serve our staff around the world in mobilizing the local church to serve the vulnerable.

How many languages do you speak?
Well, my French and Spanish are very rusty!

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Serving God and His people.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
Haiti runs deeply in my soul, having been working there for over a decade and now eager to see our fellow Haitians come through the recent disaster in ways that push them beyond where they were before the earthquake.

What do you enjoy the most about your work?
The call, the people, the privilege.

What do you find the most challenging?
Funding constraints.

What do find inspiring about Integral?
Collaboration is always inspiring when we are able to do more together than apart.

How do you relax?
Hiking, skiing, biking, climbing. Or, alternatively, a glass of vin blanc and orchestral music.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?
The Swiss Alps.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?
I’ve been a percussionist since age 6.

Click here to read the press release

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INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

Forging New Partnerships in China

In mid 2010 Integral Members World Relief US and CEDAR Fund Hong Kong entered into a formal partnership regarding their work in China. Stephan Bauman, SVP of Programs, Tim Amstutz, Asia Regional Director, and Gary Fairchild, Director of International Relations and Partnership met with Dr. Chung Chan and his staff in Hong Kong to discuss how a partnership with World Relief would support CEDAR Fund’s ongoing work ...

HIV AIDS training in Weifang church of ShanDong province (April 22- 23, 2010)

"World Relief started its work in China in 2003 with projects in two sectors - HIV AIDS and Disaster Response," says Gary Fairchild. "World Relief’s China AIDS initiative aimed to address the growing AIDS epidemic by empowering church and community volunteers to share messages of abstinence and faithfulness, and to provide care to those living with the disease. The disaster response training concentrated on clean water initiatives in earthquake affected areas."

World Relief's partner in China from 2003-2010 was the Chinese Christian Council (CCC). Church leaders were trained to train volunteers in their congregations to respond compassionately to people suffering with AIDS. Doctors were also trained to empower other doctors in clinics and hospitals across China facing the HIV/AIDS crisis. Women’s Care Groups were established and an AIDS Hotline was set up, both through the local church. Gary says, "As World Relief continued to increase funding for this work, consideration was given to natural partners who were already working in there. CEDAR Fund, a long time bi-lateral partner with World Relief and co-members in Integral, seemed like a logical fit."

CEDAR Fund had been working on integrated community development projects for about 10 years in China's rural areas. This work included community health education, water and sanitation, organic farming, vocational training and disaster risk reduction. Through this work CEDAR Fund were able to establish good relationships with the local churches and good rapport with the government Religious Bureau. Known as “CEDAR Community Services Unit,” CEDAR Fund operates legally under the auspices of a local church.

Dr Chan, CEO of CEDAR Fund says, "The Church in China is growing quickly both in numbers and opportunities to serve their communities. However there is still a great need especially in capacity building and funding for new projects. World Relief and CEDAR Fund are both seeing their new partnership as a golden opportunity to pass on their experience and support to the local churches in China. Through Integral Alliance such collaboration can be strengthened and trusted among other Member Agencies, and the cost-effectiveness of resources can be maximised."

Read more about CEDAR Fund's work in China

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

January 2011

Laurie Cook — Jan. 12, 2011

I N S I D E   T H I S   I S S U E
Integral Q & A: More Than We Can Ask Or Imagine
Integral Member Agency: Inspiring Individuals
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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

More Than We Can Ask Or Imagine
Ruth Faber is the Program Director of Mission East, Integral's Danish Member, and has recently been appointed the Chair of the Integral Disaster Management group. This group is currently seeking a way forward for Integral Members to collaborate more closely during a disaster ...

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland, but my mother is from Ghana and my father is English.

What has been your most interesting job?
Hospital radio disk jockey. I wanted to be a broadcast journalist so in order to get some work experience of working in radio, I would visit the wards to collect music requests and then the music and my commentary would be broadcast across the hospital radio network. I was able to meet people from all walks of life and I learned an important life lesson - that whatever I did with my life there was a good chance that it would end in a hospital ward somewhere with only my memories for company - so what did I want those memories to be?

How many languages do you speak?
Only English, but I have enough Russian to get from the airport to the warehouse. I also speak bad French and Dutch. I am however excellent at mime!

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Being Scottish, I of course have an inbuilt Calvinist work ethic but I was raised going to a Methodist church and this quote from John Wesley usually provides inspiration when its needed: 'Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.'

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
Tajikistan back in 1998. My first real job as a humanitarian aid worker - I was young, impressionable and thrown in at the deep end. Tajikistan taught me a lot about the sector and I learned a lot about myself in the process. The people of Tajikistan were just coming out of Soviet rule and a civil war. Apart from the humanitarian needs, many people were exploring questions of faith and spirituality and it was possible to share something of my own faith journey with them.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
I am based in Mission East's office in Brussels and everyday I know that whatever might happen (planned or unplanned), there are people next to me whom I can count on. I enjoy the opportunities that I have to support and hopefully challenge them in their work - which in turn filters through to our field staff and the people in Armenia, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan that we support.

What do you find the most challenging?
Keeping up with the changes and developments in the sector and trying to find enough time to analyze how the evolving donor environment and civil/military issues impact our work. The full impact of the economic crisis and changes in political direction in terms of aid/development funding is yet to be felt in Europe and the next couple of years are going to be difficult for many organizations.

What do find inspiring about Integral?
I think that we are very privileged to work in a sector where we can watch a disaster unfolding on the television and think 'I can do something to help.' With Integral we have the opportunity to change the 'I' into a 'We.' If we are united in prayer and in our work then I believe that we can achieve 'immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.'

How do you relax?
By trying to throw my husband (we both study aikido)! I'm also a keen cyclist and reader, and my colleagues would tell you that I'm not adverse to a spot of baking.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?
Apart from the security problems, I loved living in Nairobi. I've moved around a fair bit over the past 10 years or so and now I'm trying to get used to the idea of Brussels being 'home' rather than a place where I just happen to be living.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?
I can cycle and take photographs at the same time - which, depending on the circumstances, should come under the category of extreme photography!

Mission East's website

INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

Inspiring Individuals
Inspired Individuals is an initiative of Tearfund UK, Integral's UK Member, that aims to connect and support Christian social entrepreneurs who have the potential and skills to instigate social transformation and be a creative force for social improvement ...

Kelvin Mwyika, Director of the Philemon Foundation

"We are 2 years into the initial pilot phase, and so far have selected 33 inspiring individuals from over 100 nominations," says Gary Swart, Director of Inspired Individuals. "An immense amount has been learned and these learnings are currently being drawn together in a plan to significantly scale-out this exciting initiative over the next 10 years. Our role is to support individuals through a combination of skills development, mentoring, networking and a small financial stipend."

An example of how this project facilitates social transformation is their support of Kelvin Mwyika. At the age of 24 Kelvin was arrested on trumped up charges of robbery and was unable to pay the bribe for his release and sentenced to prison. During prison Kelvin became a Christian, but after his release he found that nobody would accept him back into society or give him a second chance. Kelvin set up an organization called Philemon Foundation that works to rehabilitate, empower and reintegrate former offenders in Kenya. His organization works with local churches to run 21 support groups for ex-offenders and helps them adjust to life outside of prison.

Gary says, "Kelvin also started the country's first halfway house, and in 2010 was asked to be part of a government debate to set up a national aftercare policy for ex-offenders. Inspired Individuals supports Kelvin with a small annual stipend which has enabled him to start a second halfway house in Mombassa; it also helps with supporting his further education, and recently also enabled Kelvin to attend two international conferences, where he was able to share his experiences and develop strong networks for the future."

To find out more about these inspired individuals or to nominate someone into the program visit the Inspired Individuals website. You can also join their Facebook page for regular updates.

Inspired Individuals website
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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

December 2010

Laurie Cook — Dec. 1, 2010

I N S I D E   T H I S   I S S U E
Integral Member Agency: A Just and Compassionate World
Integral Q&A: Ambassador of Reconciliation
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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY
A Just and Compassionate World

In last month's newsletter we profiled Norwegian Mission Alliance - one of Integral's two new Members. In this issue we are very pleased to introduce TEAR Australia and their CEO Matthew Maury ...

"TEAR Australia’s vision is for a just and compassionate world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential," says Matthew Maury, CEO of TEAR Australia. He continues, "Since TEAR was established out of the Australian Evangelical Alliance in 1971, two interrelated streams have been central to our work: International Programs and mobilizing Australian Christians to respond to issues of justice."

TEAR's International Program Team implement its mission in partnership with like-minded organizations throughout Asia, the Pacific and Africa. These include local and international development agencies, churches and other civil society groups. Matthew explains, "TEAR seeks to give priority to the rights of the poorest and most marginalized communities. This is expressed in a variety of different ways: through development, relief and advocacy projects."

TEAR’s Australian Program also engages with Christians in Australia in order to inform, challenge and empower them to make a biblically shaped response to poverty and injustice. Matthew says, "The aim of this engagement is to produce five key responses from the Australian community: Knowledge and learning about poverty and justice, Lifestyle change, Financial support for TEAR and Prayer and Advocacy." He continues: "We want to address structural injustice and produce tangible, lasting changes in people’s capacities to meet their basic needs, as well as engage in activities to strengthen communities to take action on their own development priorities into the future. In this context we recognize that women and children usually bear the greatest burden of poverty."

TEAR Australia's website

INTEGRAL Q&A
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Ambassador of Reconciliation

Matthew Maury, originally from the USA but living now in Melbourne, Australia, is the the CEO of TEAR Australia ...

Matthew Maury, CEO of TEAR Australia in Ethiopia

What has been your most interesting job?
Without question the most impactful job in my life was living with my wife as a volunteer community development worker in rural Zambia. That time was incredibly formative in how I approach development work and integral mission. It was also physically tough – pulling water from a well, no electricity or phones, no local health care, etc. – I am not sure we could do it again! Every day was certainly unpredictable and often an adventure.

How many languages do you speak?
I only speak English well – at different stages of the past 20 years I have been able to get by in Chichewa (language in Malawi and Zambia) and French.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
I love the work I am involved with. To be surrounded by colleagues passionate about trying to make lasting positive change for the most poor and marginalized people never fails to feel meaningful and hugely worthwhile. To be able to visit communities around the world and see the change taking place because of the work of our partners is a humbling privilege … a real joy!

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
Two visits stick out particularly – one was to China when I worked for the America Leprosy Mission. On that trip we made a few visits hiking into the hills to remote leprosy villages and meeting with people affected by leprosy who were geographically and socially outcast – effectively imprisoned. They had been completely cut off from family and society at large. The other was a visit to Burundi shortly after the genocide. During that trip we drove through villages which were completely empty – no one remained alive. Both were trips where I was deeply moved by some of the darkest outworking of the legacy of broken relationships in our world … and the importance of the Church’s calling to be “ambassadors of reconciliation” and messengers of hope.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
TEAR is blessed to be part of a broader movement of Christians in Australia who want to live in radical obedience to following Jesus. We also have so many inspiring partners overseas doing amazing work. I am blessed and humbled to get to learn from and and serve with these people.

What do you find the most challenging?
There is always more to do than resources allow. Making decisions about where we will focus our limited resources means needing to say “no” much more than we would like. In this line of work, saying no is very hard.

What do you find inspiring about Integral?
One of the buzz words over the past decade in international development is “collaboration”.   Many times this is translated into something simply transactional – such as joint funding. TEAR is excited to join Integral so that we can work more collaboratively in ways that that are not just transactional – and can make a difference for marginalized communities. We are particularly interested in finding ways to better respond in disaster situations and TEAR sees Integral as the best way to do this in meaningful partnership.

How do you relax?
I love to spend weekends with my family (2 boys aged 5, 8 and Susan, my wife of 22 years) – out exploring the beauty of this corner of the world. Hiking in the mountains, riding bikes, playing on the beach, geocaching in the forest … I also enjoy going for a jog most days and playing in a community basketball league.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?
It is a bit of a cop-out to say that I have enjoyed every place we have lived … but it is true! We spent 15 of the last 19 years living in Africa – and of that time Nairobi was our favourite place. We also love a small city in the far NW of the USA where we lived for a year after we were married – Bellingham.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?
Hmmm … not sure it is a very useful skill … but I suppose only a few folks know that I can juggle!

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

November 2010

Laurie Cook — Nov. 3, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Member Agency: Integral Welcomes New Members!
Integral Q&A: Giving Life a Chance ...

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INTEGRAL Member Agency

Integral Welcomes New Members!

The Integral Board welcomed two new Members to the Alliance in October 2010's Board meetings in Cape Town - Norwegian Mission Alliance and TEAR Australia. Laurie Cook, chair of the Integral Board says, "The Integral Alliance is very pleased to welcome the Norwegian Mission Alliance and TEAR Australia to membership. The addition of these reputable organizations will significantly contribute to the Alliance’s ability to positively impact impoverished people around the globe." This issue of Integral News will introduce Norwegian Mission Alliance and in the next issue TEAR Australia will be profiled ...

"We are an evangelical, diaconal mission organization engaged in an extensive work to support poor, disabled and marginalized people in Asia, South America and Africa," explains Arnt Jerpstad, the General Secretary of the Norwegian Mission Alliance. "We want to give people the opportunity to develop their abilities and resources, and support them in taking responsibility for their own lives, the lives of their families and the development of their own local communities."

The work of the Norwegian Mission Alliance includes community development with components like education, healthcare, income-generating activities and livelihood. They work together with local authorities, organizations and communities to ensure that the target groups participate and have ownership of the projects. Wherever possible, they cooperate with national evangelical churches and local congregations, with the work funded through the organization's 30,000 supporters & by the Norwegian government, through NORAD.

Arnt says,"Our work in Norway has a loose structure, based on the initiative and dedication of our supporters. We encourage voluntary work, and for our sponsors to create meeting points and support groups." He continues, "The reason for our involvement in Integral is that we have been looking for a network of Christian development organizations to network with. We want to learn and get inspired by other organizations with the same values as ours. We are very happy to be included in the fellowship of organizations that we highly respect!

Norwegian Mission Alliance website

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INTEGRAL Q&A

Giving Life a Chance ...

Arnt Jerpstad, as the General Secretary of the Norwegian Mission Alliance, joins the Integral Board. Integral is pleased to introduce him to the readers of Integral News ...

Arnt Jerpstad, the General Secretary of the Norwegian Mission Alliance

What has been your most interesting job?

I have been blessed with a lot of interesting jobs! Besides my present job which I really love, is the opportunity I had to work and live in Guayaquil Ecuador.

How many languages do you speak?

Norwegian, English and Spanish.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

What really motivates me is to know that every day we are making life better for some people. The love of Christ and to share what he has done for us is also my inspiration!

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

I have visited many countries. But I did live for 6 years as a missionary in Ecuador. It has everything - natural beauty and friendly people. It is my second homeland.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

To be able to work with a lot of highly skilled people and every day to see fulfillment of our vision: “We give life a chance!”

What do you find the most challenging?

To meet with people in extreme poverty and only to be able to help a few.

What do you find inspiring about Integral?

I find it very inspiring to meet with leaders in the same situation as I am. To learn from others' field experience and from marketing activities in other countries.

How do you relax?

I relax reading a good book sitting in the shade, while the children are playing on a warm beach! Well, that is maybe only once a year. But I do like to read a good book. I also relax playing golf with my two sons.

Where would be your favorite place to live in the world? Or where was your favourite place to live?

I have lived in Norway, Spain, England and Ecuador. Each has its advantages. If I could pick a new place to live, I would love to live in New York! I really love to visit Manhattan and it would be great to try to live there for a couple of years.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?

I play bass guitar!

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

October 2010

Laurie Cook — Oct. 12, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Q & A: The Drive to Fight Poverty
Integral Member Agency: Fasting for Change in Canada
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INTEGRAL Q & A
The Drive to Fight Poverty

Marco van der Graaf works for Tear Netherlands as the Director of Campaigns, Marketing & Communication. In July 2010 he was appointed the Deputy Director of Tear ...

Marco van der Graaf from Tear Netherlands

What has been your most interesting job?
That's a difficult question because with every job you learn new skills. Some of the jobs I have done were tough but I did learn a lot. I worked for Pfizer & Wyeth, both pharmaceutical companies, & enjoyed the variety of the challenges & the international scope of my role during those years.

How many languages do you speak?
English & Dutch. My German is not bad & my French is minimal.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Basically my alarm clock! I am really not a morning person & it is best not to disturb me with difficult questions before at least 9am!

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
In 2007 I visited a local church organization in the vast desert of northern Kenya. They were a very motivated young team with few resources. We drove from lake Turkana to Marsabit & I was struck by the drought & poverty of people. There is nothing but sand & rocks in the region. We visited a created dam where rainwater was collected. Women & children were drinking it but it was terribly polluted. It filled me with anger. I have picture of that place in my room & it keeps me going.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
The people both in the countries where we work, as well as in our networks & at our HQ office. It is wonderful to work with inspired intelligent people that have a true drive to fight poverty. I really enjoy that.

What do you find the most challenging?
The volume of work & choosing among numerous opportunities.

What do find inspiring about Integral?
Integral Alliance is an answer to a lot of criticism towards NGO’s in the public space & media. Rather than work & fundraise independently as if the presence & growth of individual organizations is the highest cause – Integral is offering a real opportunity to serve the global Church worldwide by working together in relief situations, both in the field as well in maximizing funds, good communication & campaigning.

How do you relax?
I love to be home alone for a few hours & organize my stuff. That clears my head.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world? Or where was your favourite place to live?
I was in South Africa with my wife & son last Christmas. It is a very beautiful place with a wonderful climate & lot’s of space. I really loved it. At the moment my family & I live in downtown Amsterdam. When my wife & I plan a weekend to ourselves, we leave our son with family & just stay at home; we enjoy our neighbourhood & all that's is going on there very much.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?
There are many lakes in the Netherlands & I have practised sailing since I was fifteen. I have just completed a non-stop 170 miles trip from Germany back to the Netherlands across the German Bight & Waddensea. Beautiful!

Tear Netherlands
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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

Fasting for Change in Canada
In the spring of this year, Integral Member World Relief Canada joined many churches across Canada in an ecumenical day of fasting & reflecting on how we are all connected ...

"Imagine the possibilities if every member of every congregation in Canada made a small change towards ending both spiritual & physical hunger," says Dave Clubine, Communication Director at World Relief Canada. He continues, "As Christians we are united by our belief that hunger in a world of such abundance is a matter of injustice & we are called to respond in prayer & action. In a world where the climate is changing, unfair trade policies exist alongside over consumption, & more than 850 million people are chronically malnourished - we believe that Canadian Christians have the power to change the statistics, change the rules & change lives."

The aim of the Fast for Change initiative was to encourage Christians to deepen their spiritual walk & reverence for food as a gift from God. A Resource Kit was available from World Relief Canada in partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to help individuals & churches plan opportunities for meaningful participation. A personal reflection guide featured 7 days of soul food, leading participants toward deeper commitment to the issues. Dave says, "The activities & materials were creative & flexible, appropriate for congregational worship services, youth & adult groups, classrooms & the workplace."

Please click here for more resources that accompany the 7 days of soul food guide.

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

September 2010

Laurie Cook — Sep. 8, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Disaster Management: Integral Responding to Pakistan Flooding
Integral Q&A: Working for Global Impact
INTEGRAL Q&A
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INTEGRAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Integral Responding to Pakistan Flooding

As has been well reported in the media, the rains in Pakistan in July/August have been the most severe in over 80 years causing widespread flooding in four of five provinces. Current estimates indicate that over 1,500 people have been killed & approximately 20 million people have been affected. Breaching of dams & river banks has contributed to the devastation & there is clear evidence of large scale destruction of homes & other buildings, clean water sources, loss of cattle & crops. Although the Pakistan Government is responding, the scale of the disaster is such that international assistance will be required for some considerable time to come.

Umer Hazrat & his family caught in the flood waters.
Photo: Ashraf Mall/Tearfund

Integral Members are currently sharing information & funding needs regarding the current crisis in Pakistan brought about by the flooding. A teleconference was held as soon as the crisis happened & initially four Integral Members responded. CRWRC, Integral’s newest Member from Canada/US, are raising funds for emergency food aid, ongoing food aid & non-food items such as mosquito nets & tents. MAP International from the US is continuing to work out some of the logistical issues & funding issues for the delivery of two Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits. Each kit is capable of providing essential medicines for the needs of a population of 10,000 people for three months & weighs almost one thousand kilograms. Both are working with local NGO partners on the ground. Mission East, Integral’s Member in Denmark, is currently carrying out an initial assessment, with a view to providing emergency relief funds to a local partner organisation on the ground.

Integral’s UK Member Tearfund are also working with their partners on the ground to do emergency distributions & given the scale of the problem & the likely funding to be available, it has been agreed to provide a Tearfund operational response to complement existing partner activities. Tearfund’s Disaster Management Team will be working with their Country Representative in Pakistan to determine the detail of an operational response which is likely to be a combination of expatriate & national staff, managed carefully given the political & security environment. At least seven of our co-operational Members are raising much needed funding from their supporters. TEAR Fund New Zealand is working hard with their government & are looking at more long-term approaches to Disaster Preparedness.

Fiona Boshoff, Integral’s Director says, ‘We are pleased to be linking our Members efforts to help those in Pakistan most affected by the floods. It is great to see how our different Members are responding in their niche areas which are so complementary to each other – WRC is supporting a CFGB coalition providing food aid, CRWRC with food aid & non-food items, MAP with medicines & hospital equipment, Tearfund UK with emergency distributions & sending in relief personnel, & other Members such as Mission East & TEAR Fund New Zealand raising much needed funds, along with other co-operational Members who are launching appeals in their own countries to support the work on the ground.'

INTEGRAL Q&A

Working for Global Impact

Dr Ravi I. Jayakaran works for Integral Member MAP International in Georgia, USA. He is MAP's Senior Director of Global Programs & is currently the Chair of the Integral Program Group (IPG). The IPG is made up of the International Program Directors of Integral's Members & will be meeting this month in the Netherlands ...

Dr Ravi I. Jayakaran, Senior Director of Global Programs & Chair of the Integral Program Group ...

Where are you from?

I am originally from south India, but my wife Vimla & I lived for some time in the Northern part of India. We were also in Cambodia for nine years & two years in mainland China, before moving to the US.

What has been your most interesting job?

I have been blessed to have interesting jobs right throughout my career in India, Cambodia, China, the Greater Mekong sub-region & now globally; but I believe I love what I am currently doing the most because of the wide range of things involved across 5 continents & multiple cultures. Another interesting aspect of my work is that it has involvement at the grass roots level as well as at the macro & mega levels.

How many languages do you speak?

I speak about 7 languages…though I am losing some of them now due to lack of practice!

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

The fact that God has given me an opportunity to work with the marginalized & the poor around the world in whose lives we can have a direct impact. Sometimes, opportunities when they arise, also keep me up for most of the night!

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

It’s very hard to pin down a particular country because I find all the countries I have visited fascinating with their own unique ways of doing things & their unique culture, whether it is Northern Sumatra, East Africa, West Africa , Latin America or Europe.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

The opportunity to impact lives globally.

What do you find the most challenging?

Apathy of individual development functionaries towards the needs of the poor.

What do you find inspiring about Integral?

The opportunity to partner with a Christian global network that is committed to working with constituent members to collaborate in serving the poor & marginalized.

How do you relax?

Reading, listening to music. Watching movies (with happy endings!!)

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

Currently Decatur in Georgia where Vimla & I live. In the past we loved living in Mainland China.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?

Drawing & sketching (especially drawing cartoons!)

MAP International's website

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

August 2010

Laurie Cook — Aug. 3, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Q&A: Never a Dull Moment
Integral Member Agency: 'I Love My Father's World'
Integral Member Agency: 'I Love, I Embrace' Nature Walk - Snapshot 1
Integral Member Agency: 'I Love, I Embrace' Nature Walk - Snapshot 2

INTEGRAL Q&A

Never a Dull Moment
Kim Hartzner is the Managing Director of Mission East, an organization he founded with his father in 1991. Mission East has been a Member of Integral since it started in 2005 ...

Kim Hartzner, Managing Director of Mission East

What has been your most interesting job?
Mission East has been a big part of my life for the past 19 years, & has been much more than a job. My wife says that I don’t work for Mission East: “You are Mission East”. I love the excitement of the many challenges, meeting the beneficiaries, fighting for the next contract.

I have also had many interesting jobs as a medical doctor. Some of the highlights: Research Associate at New York Hospital in 1984, also assisting in open heart surgeries; or working in the emergency room at the central hospital in northern Sweden, covering an area from the Norwegian to the Finnish border. What I really cherish are the medical emergencies, making important decisions & hopefully saving lives.

How many languages do you speak?
I speak 9 languages, & get by in a few more.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
There is never a dull moment – most days are filled with a range of challenges. Knowing that we can make a big difference in the lives of 350,000 people in the East is enough to keep me going for years.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
In the early days, I would be involved from A to Z, preparing the contracts, purchasing the equipment & all the aid, hiring the volunteers/staff, managing the projects in-country, & writing the final reports. For the past years, of course, I have not had to do any of this, & so country visits have turned more into brief ‘inspection trips’. Frustrated that the short visits never gave me the deep insights I cherish, my wife & I decided to move to Armenia in 2006, taking up the Country Directorship along with some top-level Managing Director functions. We stayed two years in Armenia, & this has probably been the climax of my life: Fantastic working days: Visiting the beneficiaries in the morning, meeting with a Minister in the afternoon, & working closely with a dedicated country team. Nothing beats a job like that, & I will forever miss it!

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?
I love lobbying for new contracts. Deepening relationships with key contact persons in Government ministries is something I really enjoy.

What do you find the most challenging?
I realize there is so much more we could do – if only we had the money. We operate in parts of the world that many other organisations stay away from – such as Tajikistan & Northern Afghanistan. We could do so much more!

What do find inspiring about Integral?
Meeting other CEOs & hearing how they manage their own struggles/challenges is truly inspiring.

How do you relax?
I love reading ‘Der Spiege’l (German news magazine) & I love racing down black slopes – I am a passionate skier.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?
I have a big love for my native Denmark, but would adapt easily in many other places: Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, Armenia, to name a few!

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?
I love card tricks. And I am always ready for a game of chess!

Mission East's website

INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY:
CEDAR Fund

'I Love My Father's World'

In recent years Integral Member CEDAR Fund in Hong Kong has seen a nature-walk they organize gaining more popularity as people become more aware & concerned with environmental issues & nature preservation. CEDAR Fund have held two nature-walks this year - in May & June. Over thirty Christians learned of the relationship between environment & poverty, as well as appreciating the beauty of nature together ...

People setting off on the 'I Love, I Embrace' nature walk, organized by CEDAR Fund in Hong Kong

CEDAR Fund has chosen ‘Environment & Poverty’ as its theme for 2010. "We believe environmental issues are directly related to justice & equality", says Dr Chung Chan, CEO of CEDAR Fund. "People in developed countries lead their lives as high consumers. However, they sustain such a lifestyle at the expense of the well-being of the community of the poor with little concern for those less well-off around them, as well as for the environment as a whole." Dr. Chan continues, "CEDAR Fund hopes to mobilize followers of Christ to care for the natural world created by our Father in Heaven & help them acknowledge the needs of the poor by reflecting on their current lifestyle, as well as grasping the truth that real worship lies with caring about & for God’s creation."

Those who participate in CEDAR Fund's nature-walk often regain a sense of the joy & significance of nature. This year participants were asked to meditate on Psalm 104 & remember the abundance of God who has created & provided for them so generously. Given this meditation, they were then asked to ponder on how their daily lifestyles were linked with the issue of poverty & environment. One of the participants shared with excitement, “How wonderful God’s creation is! I never thought that witnessing the natural terrestrial features & formation of rock could be such an overwhelming experience!” Another participant said, “Even though I am aware that the way I live my life consumes much electricity & causes environmental pollution, it is very difficult to change my habits; but now I understand more, I am thinking of not using the air-conditioning when I go to sleep.”

See the following stories for some scenes of the nature walk, with verses from Psalm 104 ...

Please click here for more info & to download CEDAR Fund's 'Environment & Poverty - I Love My Father's World' leaflet

'I Love, I Embrace' Nature Walk - Snapshot 1

Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung, Hong Kong is a Hakka village rich with a Catholic Church heritage that can be traced back 300 years. The island abounds with woods & various species of plants. "Those of us on the walk who were lucky enough to see aqua-plants such as mikania micrantha kunth (mile-a-minute weed), kandelia obovata (a type of mangrove) & animals such as Periophthalmus Cantonens ( Mud-skipper found in China ) were caught in awe at the wonder-working of our Creator," says, Ying-lun WU, CEDAR Fund's Education and Promotion Officer ...

Yim Tin Tsai, literally 'Tiny Salty Field', Sai Kung
"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
      In wisdom you have made them all.
      The earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the ocean, vast & wide,
      teeming with life of every kind,
      both large and small ..."

(Psalm 104: 24-25)

'I Love, I Embrace' Nature Walk - Snapshot 2

In addition to the eco significance of mangrove, it is valuable to the human economy, providing multiple habitats for wild species to breed & look for food, as well as being food for fish. mangrove also retains water, so helps contain floods & prevent erosion. It keeps original shorelines in place, purifies water quality & even helps to stabilise the climate. Ying-lun WU says, "As city-dwellers we may not appreciate these important properties of mangrove; however, for impoverished communities from under-developed countries, mangrove serves as a fortress for standing against natural disaster (like tsunamis), as well as being a natural treasure vault providing sustenance to surrounding communities ..."

Mangrove widely spread over the shallow beach of the Yim Tin Tsai island
"You cause grass to grow for the livestock
      & plants for people to use.
   You allow them to produce food from the earth—
    wine to make them glad,
   olive oil to soothe their skin,
      & bread to give them strength."

(Psalm 104: 14-15)

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

July 2010

Laurie Cook — Jul. 6, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Q&A: Going the Distance

2. Integral Program Group: Turning Houses into Homes

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INTEGRAL Q&A

Going the Distance

Michael Nyenhuis is the President of MAP International based in Georgia, USA. MAP have been part of Integral since 2008 ...

Michael & Michael!

What has been your most interesting job?

Serving as president of MAP is about as interesting as it gets, though in a previous career as a journalist I had many interesting assignments like reporting from Saudi Arabia during the build up to the first Gulf War, flying in a fighter jet, covering space shuttle launches, & more.

How many languages do you speak?

A few variations of English, including Southern U.S. English & Minnesotan.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

I am motivated by having the chance to answer Christ’s call to serve others in His name through my work. Many people go to work to do a job, then find ways to serve those who are hurting & suffering in other ways. I get to do practical, compassionate ministry as my job. That is a privilege.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

I have many, but one that stands out recently was a visit to the village of Sokrogbo in Cote d’Ivoire. This is the site of MAP’s pilot “Total Health Village” project. The last time I was there I met an infant boy named Michael. Turns out, he was named after me. I met his mother on a previous visit when she was pregnant at the time. In commemoration of my visit, she named her son after me. What an honour!

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

I like playing the role of a bridge builder. I spend part of my time in very impoverished communities around the world with our program staff. I also spend part of my time with very wealthy people who are our donors in my country. Some of my best moments are when I can bring these two worlds together & see both changed.

What do you find the most challenging?

While on the one hand I lead a ministry, I also lead a business. MAP is both. All nonprofits & NGOs have elements of both mission & business. Certainly, the business side of our work has been very challenging over the past 18 months or so as we have worked through the effects of the global economic crisis.

What do find inspiring about Integral?

I am a big believer in leveraging our work through partnership & collaboration. Integral & its Members give us a much bigger footprint from which to work globally.

How do you relax?

I paddle my kayak through the ocean & marshes that surround Georgia’s Golden Isles where I live.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

Bondo District in Nyanza Province, Kenya. My wife Sandy & I have a site picked out there where we will one day build a small home. Bondo is the centre of the work we do together through the foundation we established to honor our son, Jacob, who died in 2006. We run a youth entrepreneurship project there & next year will launch a school that will focus on business & entrepreneurship education.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

I run long distances & am planning for my third marathon early next year!

Michael's blog

INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

Turning Houses into Homes

Integral Members Tear Netherlands (TENL) & Tearfund UK (TFUK) decided to join forces & establish the Asia Disaster Response Program following the natural disasters that struck parts of Asia in the Autumn of 2009. The two agencies have worked together before but this is the first time that TENL took the lead ...

Earthquake resistant core house built by CRWRC. Picture by GJ Prins

"The response focused on the Philippines & Sumatra & was able to generate support from a wide range of agencies, including the Disaster Emergency Committee in the UK, Tear Fund Switzerland, Tear Australia, Woord & Daad Netherlands, & EO Metterdaad Netherlands," says Geert Jan Prins, Team Leader of the Asia Disaster Response Team. "TENL & TFUK also benefited from the support of many individuals & churches who donated money for assistance to those affected by the typhoon, flood, & earthquake." The campaign total of 705,852 Euros has gone towards organizing community focus groups & training modules, buying back-to-school kits, toys, providing counseling assistance & employment opportunities through microfinance projects, as well as building earthquake resistant homes & temporary shelters, & distributing food.

David Bainbridge, Director of Disaster Programs at TFUK, Claire Tiffen, Disaster Program Officer at TFUK, & Geert Jan Prins, Team Leader & an independent consultant for Tear, visited Asia in Jan 2010 on a monitoring trip. "We had three days of field visits in which we saw the activities of the partners, including distributions & shelter construction, & discussed the pros & cons of different approaches of work," says Geert. He continues, "The people of Sumatra showed a high level of resilience & are coping well with the aftermath of the earthquake, though fear of another earthquake was paramount in people's minds. Another important observation for us was that humanitarian agencies often talk about 'houses' or 'shelters' whilst the people are mostly interested in 'homes'. The key priority for us was to build earthquake resistant homes."

This partnership between Tear Netherlands & Tearfund UK has also been a good opportunity to learn. Geert says, "The harmonization of procedures, like the approval process for partners' proposals, takes time, & people are use to it moving faster when dealing with only one agency." Both organizations are committed to capturing the lessons learned to see if such a collaborative approach in a disaster can be replicated for new & evolving crises, like in Haiti. "The pooling of resources, knowledge & skills between two organizations who share the same vision & mission towards relief & development assistance, is an extremely valuable thing in these days of diminishing resources," says Geert.

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

June 2010

Laurie Cook — Jun. 7, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Organizational Learning Q&A: The Journey of Learning

2. Integral Program Group: Being Salt & Light

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INTEGRAL ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING Q&A

The Journey of Learning

Every six months since the middle of 2009, Integral Members interested in Knowledge Management or Organizational Learning have been taking part in teleconferences to share how they work in these areas. Here Astrid Foxen, Head of Knowledge at Tearfund UK, shares with us some of her thoughts on the subject ...

Astrid Foxen

How do you define organizational learning & why is it important to your organization?

Here at Tearfund organizational learning is focussed on building the capacity of our staff for effective action. It's about developing ways of working & sharing information which enable us to learn from our own experience, that of other organizations, as well as to share that learning effectively with each other, our partners & other organizations in the sector. We have an organizational vision to bring 50 million people out of physical & spiritual poverty through a network of 100,000 local churches. How we learn, how we build up our organizational knowledge, & what the quality of that learning & knowledge is, will help us to have the greatest impact for those 50 million people. That's why organizational learning is important to us.

How does organizational learning influence & change the work of your organisation on a daily basis?

Learning should be at the core of any organization. Tearfund is still very much on a journey with this, but in many areas of the organization whether in the service teams like HR, or in the frontline teams working in places like Sudan, or relating to churches here in the UK, there is a real desire to learn from our experience so that we can be as effective as possible at all levels of our work. As well as being effective we also want to ensure that good practice is at the centre of our partner & disaster management work, & learning together, sharing that with others & feeding this back into our processes & systems help to make sure that we are doing this.

How do you encourage your staff to learn from their practice together? What tools, methods or resources have you used?

There are a number of different ways that we do this because people learn individually & together in different ways. Here are just some of them: learning reviews; action learning; issue clusters; learning from evaluations, including key learning around our Quality Standards commitments.

For example Key learning around our Quality Standards commitments involves us collating this key learning in order to facilitate learning from our experiences & continual improvement. The transferable learning is drawn from external project evaluation reports, field monitoring visits & debriefings with staff & partners, & the documents will be continually updated as new learning is captured. The learning is presented in the form of “specific actionable recommendations”. Learning reviews - this is a very light-touch method of allowing a group of people to share their experience around a particular project, event or piece of work, & articulate specific actionable recommendations that will help another group in the future to improve the way they do the same or similar piece of work next time.

The methodology is based on the Learning Before, During & After Method developed by the energy company BP, & is based on two simple questions: What went well about this project that we should repeat next time? And, what could have gone better, & how would we improve this next time?

Other Integral Members with web learning zones are Medical Teams International & World Relief US / LINGOS. If your agency is a Member of Integral & you would like to take part in the next teleconference, please do contact Sarah on the e-mail address below.

Tearfund's International Learning Zone website

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INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

Being Salt & Light

David Goulstone, a TEAR Fund New Zealand supporter from St Paul’s church in Auckland, visited a South African community development & microfinance project jointly funded by Integral Members TEAR Netherlands & TEAR Fund NZ. Here he shares with us his experience & impressions of the project ...

Local people are taught productive horticulture techniques to grow food for their families & local markets to raise their household incomes

"I had the pleasure of visiting Africa Co-Operative Action Trust (ACAT) in late November 2009. ACAT is based north-east of Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. The organization is well established & its vision statement refers to: 'being instruments in God’s hands to seek to transform spiritual, mental & physical poverty into a sustainable lifestyle which is God-centred & people orientated.' While my visit was too short to gauge the effectiveness of the organization in any depth, I can say without hesitation what I saw indicated that this vision is being outworked in many wonderful ways.

The timing of my visit worked wonderfully as it coincided with a visit from a representative of TEAR Netherlands. I had the privilege of sitting in on a meeting with the Director of ACAT & we gained a wonderful overview of the organization, its structure & the methods they are using to reach out to the 'active poor' of this region. I certainly came away from this session confident that ACAT is being administered in a very professional manner & is staffed by people who are committed to God’s call on their lives to reach the needs of the region.

Field visits to two different regions over the balance of my time allowed me to view firsthand the effect that education in all areas of life can have, & I saw many examples of individuals & communities transformed by the practical skills & knowledge gleaned from the ACAT programs. There was also clear evidence of lives transformed spiritually as well as materially. I would wholeheartedly encourage ongoing financial, practical & prayer support for this organization which is seeking to & succeeding in being 'salt & light' in a very needy environment."

TEAR Fund New Zealand's website

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

May 2010

Laurie Cook — May. 4, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Welcomes New Member!

2. Integral Program Group: Rebuilding through Microfinance

INTEGRAL Q & A

Integral is delighted to welcome Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) as its newest Member. Andrew Ryskamp, based in the USA, & Ida Mutoigo, based in Canada, are the Co-Executive Directors. Andrew answers the Integral Q&A by way of introducing CRWRC to Integral news readers.

Andrew Ryskamp, Co-Executive Director of CRWRC

What has been your most interesting job?

My first position with CRWRC was as an agronomist in Bangladesh. My passion for biblical justice was lit as I worked in a Muslim culture in a country with profound issues around poverty. As I worked with small & landless farmers they taught me humility, as I learned what it meant to be community.

How many languages do you speak?

I was born in The Netherlands, raised in Canada, lived in Asia. Africa, & now the USA. So I speak, Dutch, Canadian, American English, & rudimentary Bengali & Tagalog.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

Mornings are a special time for me, as I centre myself with a time of devotions & coffee, God often reminds me of two things: His rich presence in each situation, & the calling He has gifted me for. That motivates me for the tasks of the day, knowing they are related to my desire to see an end to hunger & injustice.

What has been your most memorable country visit with your work & why?

This is a difficult question to answer. As I visit the various countries CRWRC works in, each one becomes special because I can always picture myself in that context working at the issues they face. It is very much about the rich relationships we have with the communities that we work in with our partners. The best memories are community gatherings, listening to stories about how the community has built on their & our resources to overcome poverty.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

It is a great joy to be able to both promote & co-ordinate the vision & mission of making God’s promised Shalom more of a reality on this side of heaven. Visiting with supporters, as well as with the communities where we see the impact, & then being the bridge for them is an amazing privilege.

What do you find the most challenging?

Every day policy decisions are made at national & international levels that impact the communities we work with. The challenge is helping the churches in the donor countries to advocate for fair & transparent policies seriously. It is a missing piece in the action required to end poverty.

What informed your decision to join Integral?

CRWRC was already part of the Micah Network. It was through that network that we were encouraged to look at Integral as well. I appreciated the rich sense of community & desire to work together that permeates the attitude of Integral Members.

What do find inspiring about Integral?

The task of helping the Church to be a faithful instrument in ending poverty is a task too large for any agency. Integral has initiated effective collaboration around a vital segment of the needed response. I want to be part of any effective initiative moving us to more collaborative action. Unity amongst Christians is our most effective witness.

How do you relax?

Very few things beat canoeing on one of Michigan’s rivers, or biking one of its trails. God’s presence is more real to me in nature & I relax there.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

This is a tough choice between a tent on the Masai Mara, Kenya, or a cottage on Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa.

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?

I love to fix things that are broken, so working with tools be it a wrench or a hammer!

CRWRC is an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America & was formed in 1962. Its' disaster response now reaches around the world in the form of distributing emergency food, water, & shelter, & repairing & rebuilding homes. Through community development CRWRC partners with more than 130 churches & community organizations to train local people to be leaders in their own communities. Together, CRWRC & these partners help people work together to overcome illiteracy, hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, HIV & AIDS, child mortality, injustice, & other issues affecting them.

CRWRC's website

INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

Rebuilding through Microfinance

In Burundi internal conflict at various levels of intensity occurred between 1993 & the signing of an April 2009 peace agreement, crippling the economy & creating a context of slow recovery. During June 2010 presidential elections are scheduled & are expected to be peaceful. Burundi joined the East African Community in July 2009, but is highly dependent on export agriculture [crops such as coffee, tea & cotton]. There is a regional drought & famine in Kirundo Province which is in the extreme north of the country. In the south there is suffering caused by malaria in low-lying regions. Integral Members World Relief Canada & World Relief US, along with Hope International, are running the very successful Turame Community Finance (TCF) project in Burundi to help people rebuild their lives ...

Adiga Ndayishimwe's shoe business

"The primary reason for beginning microfinance work in Burundi was to serve the financial needs of the poor, especially those impacted by the civil war from 1993 to 2005," says Menno Plett, World Relief Canada's Africa Director. "Through interaction with the poor & local authorities, a significant demand for microfinance services was identified throughout the country, as people began to rebuild their lives after being displaced or experiencing the destruction of war."

Many provinces of Burundi have only one co-operative institution that provides credit or savings services, which are usually not accessible to the majority of the population. Provision of microfinance services was identified as a key strategy for the economic renewal & advancement of the poor. Menno explains, "TCF was initiated in 2003 as a microfinance program of World Relief Burundi & has grown to over 19,000 clients (89% women), 13,600 borrowers, & a portfolio of US$ 1 million. In 2005 TCF was recognized by the UN Year of Microcredit as the 'Best MFI (Microfinance Institution) in Burundi'."

The plan for 2007-2010 was for TCF to expand the provision of microfinance services throughout the country & bring TCF closer to long-term institutional sustainability as a contribution to poverty reduction in Burundi. This includes enhancing good governance, management oversight, product development, marketing & financial performance, while also increasing the number of active clients served & maintaining a strong loan portfolio. In Jan 2007 TCF received its official agreement letter from the Central Bank, recognizing it as an independent MFI. World Relief Canada & World Relief US provided funding for program expansion & capacity development from 2007-2010. World Relief Canada has committed to provide funding for TCF for the period 2010–2015.

World Relief Canada's website

C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

April 2010

Laurie Cook — Apr. 6, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Programme Networking Group: Understanding Holistic Development

2. Integral Member Agency: First Fairtrade Schools in Slovakia

3. Integral Q&A : A World Free from Poverty

INTEGRAL PROGRAMME NETWORKING GROUP

Understanding Holistic Development

Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, Senior Director of Global Programs at MAP International, recently visited fellow Integral Members - Cedar Fund in Hong Kong & Medical Teams in the USA, to deliver training on holistic development models ...

Dr. Ravi Jayakaran at Cedar Fund in Hong Kong

"In total 24 people participated in the 2 days training 'Understanding Holistic Development through the concept of Total Health Village 50-40-10', says Lisa Chai, Program Officer at Cedar Fund. "We also invited other Christan development agencies & mission groups, so in total 8 agencies were represented. We learned about the Ten Seeds Technique, the Worldview Analysis, the Total Health Village model & heard many life transforming stories from Ravi!"

The TEN Seeds Technique is a participatory learning tool developed by Ravi & collects information to assist project planning. The technique provides a device that can be touched & moved around, & is used to get a clearer picture of the community in terms of income disparity & wealth ranking, food security or gender. The Total Health Village model is a cost effective community development strategy that leads to total well-being & costs around US$2 per person, every month for a whole village. The two strategic outcomes of the Total Health Village Model are self empowerment of communities, & holistic integrated development. The holistic Worldview Analysis is a unique technique recently used by MAP. The THV50-40-10® is described as a low input, high impact strategy to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, & involves working closely with a community to identify its needs & then launching an intervention.

Ravi says, "The THV50-40-10® is an empowering process that unleashes powerful community involvement. The methodology, while being well accepted in secular circles as a strategy for community empowerment, also has a companion strategy that interfaces with it for addressing the spiritual dimension of holistic development." Ravi concludes, "Visiting both Cedar Fund & Medical Teams has been a great opportunity to share learning & resources among Integral Members."

Watch Ravi give a lecture on THV50-40-10®, along with a PP presentation

INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

First Fairtrade Schools in Slovakia

Students promoting Fairtrade at an Open House day

Integra, Integral's Member in Slovakia, launched a development education project supported by Slovak Aid in September 2008. The project helps Slovak schools work towards receiving a Fairtrade schools certificate ...

"Students & teachers from six schools across Slovakia attended a workshop on how to become a Fairtrade school," says Dagmar Mekinova, Marketing Co-ordinator for Integra. "Lynette Aitken from the Fairtrade Foundation presented several inspiring ideas for teachers & students on how to integrate Fairtrade into the activities of their schools. The next step for the school is then to establish a steering committee to organise activities to promote Fairtrade among students."

Fairtrade as a topic is included in the curriculum of various subjects such as Ethics, Geography & English, & once the school meets all the criteria they receive the certificate. Three of the most active & creative schools are rewarded with Fairtrade products & invited by Slovak Radio to share their experience of successfully gaining the certificate. So far, five out of the six participating schools have been awarded certificates.

The co-ordination groups promote Fairtrade among class mates, school staff & local communities, school boards, as well as in school magazines & radio, school events, at churches, & at local Christmas & Easter markets. "The schools that do the best simply organize the most activities," says Dagmar. "The one that came top persuaded the owner of the school canteen to sell Fairtrade chocolates at cost price so that students could afford to buy the products. It was great that the way Fairtrade was explained to the canteen owner meant she really undersood what Fairtrade means to small producers, & so really wanted to help promote it."

Integra's website

INTEGRAL Q&A

A World Free from Poverty

Øyvind Aadland from Norway is the Secretary General of Stromme Foundation, Integral's Member in Norway, & is part of the Integral Board

Øyvind Aadland, Secretary General of Stromme Foundation

What has been your most interesting job?

Teaching young students in Cross Cultural communication & traveling with them in the field.

How many languages do you speak?

Three - Norwegian, English & Amharic.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

To be able to contribute towards Stromme's vision “A world free from Poverty”.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

Iquitos, Peru, & being exposed to the hidden poverty at the outskirts of Iquitos in Amazonas.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

To still be a partner in the teams of the Global South fighting poverty.

What do you find the most challenging?

Contributing towards a paradigm shift in decision-making in order to ensure an inclusive decision-making process between sender (north) & receiver (south) in our work.

What do find inspiring about Integral?

Meeting with people who are fully involved in the same challenges as myself, & the potential of networking.

How do you relax?

To enjoy time with grandchildren, jogging & to be out in a boat enjoying the archipelago of Kristiansand & trying to go beyond the lowest level in golf!

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

Awassa, Ethiopia.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

I’m too extraverted to be able to hide any potential skill!

C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

March 2010

Laurie Cook — Mar. 4, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1.       Integral Programme Group : Replanting Returning Families
2.       Marketing Networking Group: Fasting from Carbon this Lent
3.     Integral Q&A : Creating Sustainable Solutions

INTEGRAL PROGRAMME GROUP

Replanting Returning Families

Last year Integral Members Tearfund Belgium & World Relief US in Congo worked together on a joint project in the Eastern Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project's aim was to improve the food security for returned Internally Displaced People (IDPs). The work was co-financed by the Belgian government ...

Photo: World Relief Congo. Women receiving seeds.

"The northeast of the DRC was once seen as the breadbasket for the rest of the country, but unfortunately, after years of war & civil riots, there is not much left of this wealth," says Cécil Van Maelsaeke, CEO of Tearfund Belgium. "Two years ago, when this region became a little more peaceful, a lot of IDPs started to return to their houses & fields, only to find destroyed schools & health centres, houses in ruins & fields in very poor condition."

Through personal contact with the returned families, the local team gained an idea of the vulnerability of the target population. The 15,400 most vulnerable families received a resettlement kit, containing 20kg of seeds & garden tools. In addition to these kits, the team organised an agricultural formation programme in co-operation with the Agricultural, Fishing & Cattle Inspection. Here representatives of local agricultural associations were taught about cultivation techniques for crops. At the end of the formation course participants received a vegetable seed kit.

Cecil says, "With these vegetable seeds & their new knowledge, course participants could construct an observation vegetable garden & share their knowledge with the local population." He continues, "Working with the community & local authorities we have succeeded in re-priming 70% of the agricultural activity in the region. We realise that this project didn’t meet all the needs of the IDPs, but this intervention can be seen as a first step in reducing the vulnerability of a population who has been a victim of armed conflicts for many years."

World Relief 's list of DRC awareness-raising resources, inc links to films

MARKETING NETWORKING GROUP

Fasting from Carbon this Lent

Integral's UK Member Tearfund UK are encouraging people to reduce their carbon emissions this Lent season with the Carbon Fast, running from 17th February - 3rd April. Fellow Integral Member Tear Netherlands has been inspired by this innovative campaign & are also asking their supporters to commit to fasting from carbon in the run up to Easter as part of their wider climate change campaign ...

Photo: Cedar Fund. The effects of climate change in China

Climate change is hitting the world’s poorest people with increased floods, droughts & storms changing lives in poor & vulnerable communities across the world. So this Lent, Tearfund UK & Tear Netherlands are inviting people to join with the global church to respond & show mercy to the world's poorest people affected by a changing climate by signing up for their Carbon Fast.

"The Carbon Fast was first developed by the Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev James Jones who ran it in his diocese in 2007. Tearfund UK then joined the Bishop of Liverpool to run the fast in 2008 & 2009,” explains Helen Heather, Campaign Officer from Tearfund UK. This will be the third year Tearfund UK has run the Carbon Fast & this year they’re partnering with the Church of England to promote it.

Tearfund UK provide daily actions to help you reduce your carbon emissions. You can also sign up for daily emails during the Fast, delivered to your inbox every morning with a prayer or reflection to get you focused. Tear Netherlands have produced a 40-day tear-off calendar - they have distributed 5,500 & have had over 900 participants subscribe to their daily email service (click here for Tear's climate change campaign website). Helen says, "Whether you're new to the issue of climate change or have been using energy-saving light bulbs & recycling for years, there's something in the Carbon Fast for everyone, with the added bonus of also reducing energy, fuel & shopping bills!"

INTEGRAL Q&A

Creating Sustainable Solutions

Next month, Integral's Slovakian Member will host the Integral Board & Marketing meetings in Bratislava. Allan Bussard, is the Managing Director of the Integra Group in Slovakia, & a member of the Integral Board ...

Allan Bussard, Managing Director of Integra in Slovakia

Where are you from?
Originally from Western Canada, but since 1975 I have worked in mission & development work in Central & Eastern Europe.

What has been your most interesting job?
Training youth leaders in the Church in Russia, under deep communism.

How many languages do you speak? My daily work is in Slovak, but I have lived & worked for many years in Russia & Croatia, so I speak these languages as well.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
I really think that it is possible to create sustainable solutions to poverty, at least for some people, their families & their communities.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?
My favourite country to work in is Ethiopia. Perhaps I am influenced by my Ethiopian daughter-in-law, whom we love very much.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?The people I work with.

What do you find the most challenging?The need to continually deal with non-transparency & dishonesty in the contexts we work in.

What do find inspiring about Integral?
People & Member Agencies are really making sacrifices for the sake of better development for the poor.

How do you relax?
I read & go for walks in the forest behind our home.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world? Maybe the Dalmatian seacoast, though I am sure it will never happen!

What skill do your have that many don't know you possess?
I never use a recipe when I am cooking for the family. And it usually works out

C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

February 2010

Laurie Cook — Feb. 1, 2010

February 2010 - Haiti Edition

Integral Relief Group: A Global Response to the Haiti Earthquake

Integral Marketing Networking Group: Sharing Media Resources

Integral Q&A: Joining Hands for Haiti

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INTEGRAL RELIEF GROUP

A Global Response to the Haiti Earthquake

Out of Haiti's population of 9.4 million, 3 million are now very vulnerable following the massive earthquake that claimed countless lives. Within 24 hours of the news of the disaster breaking Integral hosted a teleconference from almost every time zone in the world. Integral Members shared news, actions, funding possibilities & needs with one another, & immediately mobilised to respond & co-ordinate their efforts. This month's newsletter will cover how Integral & its Members are responding to this dire emergency ...

Photo: World Relief US

"It has been so fantastic to see the level of collaboration amongst both our operational & co-operational Integral Members in response to the terrible situation in Haiti," says Fiona Boshoff, Integral's International Director. Integral Members MAP International, Medical Teams, Tearfund UK & World Relief US have all launched operational responses in Haiti & are working through established partners & local churches in the worst affected areas. Other Integral Members (CEDAR Fund, Mission East, SEL France, Stromme, Tear Netherlands, Tearfund Belgium, TearFund Switzerland, Tear Fund New Zealand & World Relief Canada) are supporting their efforts by launching appeals & channelling funds from their own donors, as well as from their national governments.

Marco van der Graaf, Tear Netherlands' Marketing Director, reports to other Integral Members: "You'll be happy to hear that a national appeal here in the Netherlands has started covering all radio & 3 TV stations all day. Our Minister for Development has promised to double the money that comes in. A radio reporter asked him: What if we raise a billion? He answered that that would cause a budget problem but it should not stop people from giving money! This appeal is likely to raise up to at least 80 million Euro of which Tear will receive 1.3-1.5 million. So together with other sources of income we will most likely have a budget for our Integral Members on the ground of around 2 million Euro for Haiti."

Medical Teams have established a joint office in Port au Prince with World Relief US & have helped to successfully reopen World Relief's 350-bed King's Hospital. Relief efforts are focusing on medical assistance, providing food, water, blankets & medical supplies & expertise. Integral is also providing the platform for its Relief Group to share field information, needs assessments & proposals, as well as sending out regular updates about what each Member is doing & what funds are becoming available. Fiona says, "The level of co-ordination & collaboration for this particular disaster has been fantastic & we are very grateful to all our Members for their openness & willingness to share with one another, even when they are so busy with their own responses."

Watch Tearfund UK's updated Haiti appeal video (click on the pray option below for a PP to help you & your church pray for Haiti)

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INTEGRAL MARKETING NETWORKING GROUP

Sharing Media Resources

In the wake of the Haiti disaster, Integral's Marketing Networking Group held their own teleconference to find out what each other was doing & to work out the best way of sharing media resources & fundraising ideas ...

The telephone night at the KICK restaurant.

Integral Members World Relief (US) & Stromme Foundation (Norway) have come together to raise funds for Haiti. A fundraising event, called "3 Days to 3 Million (NOK)" ($516,822 USDs) was put on in Norway, with the money raised going to World Relief's emergency response in Haiti. Egil Mongstad, Stromme's Information Group Manager, explains: " In three days the business community in Kristiansand & the surrounding areas raised 2,5 million NOK ($430,000 USDs) for the Haiti campaign. It all started with a kick-off on the restaurant KICK, where 20 business men & women got together for the event."

Egil continues: "The initiative came from the business community & the businessmen & women called their own networks & challenged them & their the companies to contribute towards the Haiti earthquake campaign. After only two hours they had raised 2 million NOK ($345,000 USDs). On Saturday the campaign ended with a charity bazaar in the business area of Kristiansand – & because of the cold winter weather we managed to mobilise a shopping mall to host the event. We had a raffle – the heroes from the local football team playing in the premier league collected money, & a national pop star entertained the audience. All gifts & prizes for the raffle were donated from different shops in the town."

Jan Kary, Senior VP, Marketing & Development at World Relief US shares: "When my boss, World Relief CEO Sammy Mah, & I were on the phone a few days ago with Oyvind Aadland, Stromme's CEO, hearing about the terrific success they had at this evening’s fundraiser for Haiti in Norway, I was really very moved. He was so happy – happy with Trond Backer, Stromme's Communications Director, for letting me persuade him to participate with us, happy at the result, happy with Stromme, happy at the work of Integral & understanding in a new way the power of the Integral Alliance."

Other marketing collaborations that are currently taking place are the sharing of photos, stories, press releases, direct mail & email appeals, videos & interviews which are all uploaded on Integral's FTP server. Tear Netherlands, having sent a film crew out to Haiti, has arranged for the footage to be made available to all Integral Members. Jan says of this significant sharing: "Tear has given all Integral Members the link so that we can download the footage - so that's one film crew helping up to 15 marketing efforts. That's terrific!"

Watch Sammy Mah, CEO of World Relief US highlight their response

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INTEGRAL Q&A

Joining Hands for Haiti

Cecil van Maelsaeke is the CEO of Tearfund Belgium, one of Integral's co-operational agencies. Here he shares with us his perspective on the Haiti crisis ...

Cecil van Maelsaeke, CEO of Tearfund Belgium

How is Tearfund Belgium responding to the Haiti earthquake?

We started almost immediately informing our supporters & the churches in our country. The response has been very spontaneous - the churches really do pray & want to help the victims of this terrible disaster. We are in contact with Integral Members on the ground, especially with World Relief US, with whom we have a partnership agreement. The financial support from our supporters is going to the emergency activities in the King's Hospital & the distribution of food.

How important is Integral for what your agency is able to accomplish?

Integral is very important to co-ordinate contacts between its Members, to organize teleconferences, & to upload photos & stories onto their FTP-server. Operational agencies can drop their proposals on it, co-operational agencies then know what the needs are, who is helping whom & in that way we can better act quickly & more efficiently.

How is Tearfund able to contribute to the Integral response?

We are not in a position to send medical teams as other Members are able to do, but we are able to represent their work in our country & contribute to those Members' operational efforts. We can also work with the people on the ground to prepare proposals to submit to institutional donors for the rehabilitation phase.

At this stage of the crisis what is the biggest issue facing an agency like yours seeking to bring aid to Haiti?

The biggest issue for us now is having access to the right information to inform the public (our supporters, the general public & institutions). We need news bulletins, updates, photos, stories. We could not collect this information by ourselves. It is very expensive if each agency works alone. We need to join hands, to work more efficiently & effectively. We need to strengthen each other for more & better results. That's why Integral is so important for us, but most of all why Integral is so important for the beneficiaries, who deserve the right approach.

What is your advice to people wanting to help the Haiti relief effort?

We need all the assistance possible to help rebuild Haiti. If you want to help, please join hands & help our local teams & partners in whatever way you can. We need a lot of money to continue the rescue operation & the reconstruction. Haiti needs a lot of extra attention at this time.

Tearfund Belgium

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

Call us: +44 (0) 1784 472424

Email Us: s.fordham@integralalliance.org

Visit our website: http://www.integralalliance.org

Write to us: Tyndale House, 3 Grange Road Egham Surrey TW20 9QW, United Kingdom

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January 2010

Laurie Cook — Jan. 7, 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Member Agency: Leading the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Integral Relief Programme Group: Hope to Face the Future

Integral Q&A: The Greatest Possible Good

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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

Leading the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Integral's Danish Member Mission East has been chosen from among 21 other organisations to lead NGOs in Armenia in their fight against AIDS, & is taking this role over from World Vision ...

A view of the poverty which often drives Armenian men to find work in Russia

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria, which accounts for one quarter of the world's resources to fight AIDS, has partnered with Mission East in the effort to halt the spread of this epidemic in Armenia. Up until 2015, Mission East will be responsible for distributing funds for HIV/AIDS programmes in Armenia, & monitoring the work of local NGOs running these programmes. Kim Hartzner, CEO of Mission East, explains, "In many of the world's poorest countries development has been paralysed by HIV/AIDS. The same situation could happen in Armenia. Currently, approximately 3,000 people are estimated to be HIV-infected in Armenia, but this figure could rise rapidly if large-scale efforts for prevention are not prioritised."

Armenia is particularly vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS because the country has a high level of interaction with Russia where the AIDS epidemic is widespread & nearly one million people are infected with HIV. 100,000 Armenians, mainly men, work in Russia, & many carry the disease back with them when they return home for visits. Kim says, "Because of the stigma associated with being HIV positive, often the status of these men remains a secret, & they share the virus with their families. In many cases, their children end up as orphans as a result of their parents' illness. Mission East's new role is integral to the effort to halt this epidemic, & prevent the HIV virus from also becoming more extensive in Armenia."

Mission East
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INTEGRAL RELIEF PROGRAMME GROUP

Hope to Face the Future

In May 2009 CEDAR Fund in Hong Kong responded to the cyclone in Burma, along with support from fellow Integral Members Lakarmissionen in Sweden & Tearfund Belgium. Here is an update on what's been achieved through their collective response ...

MJ is now able to earn a living through fishing after he became unemployed and hopeless after the cyclone

"After CEDAR Fund shared on the teleconference about the desperate need in Burma following the cyclone, Tearfund Belgium responded swiftly by providing funds to support three months' supply of rice to our local partner," says Lisa Chai, Programme Officer at CEDAR Fund. "Our partner runs an orphanage that looks after about 130 children. They were very grateful as almost all their fruits & other crops were destroyed, meaning that there was nothing to sell or to collect." In normal circumstances the selling of farm produce was one of the main sources of income to support the work of the orphanage.

Also through CEDAR Fund, Lakarmissionen supported the relief & rehabilitation of one Karen Village consisting of 150 survivors in Labutta (a total of 299 perished in the cyclone). Lisa says, "The survivors felt so bitter that though their lives were spared, they were finding it difficult to praise God even for this." Lisa continues, "Lakarmissionen's funds purchased fishing boats, paddy seeds, tractors, fish nets & shrimp traps, the building of a community hall, as well as feeding survivors. The villagers were given a sense of hope & strength to face the future through this support. We are very grateful for the support of Integral Members who helped us provide timely assistance where it was most needed."

Integral would like to thank Lakamissionen for their involvement in Integral from even before it was founded in 2004. Fiona Boshoff, Integral's International Director, says, "Even though Lakamissionen have chosen not to continue with Integral into 2010, we are very grateful to them for their contribution in bilateral funding for projects, relief collaborations & Marketing meetings. As Josefine Hörnberg takes over from Kjell Andersson heading up the organisation, we wish them all of God's best for the future."

CEDAR Fund

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INTEGRAL Q&A

The Greatest Possible Good

Matthew Frost, is Tearfund UK's Chief Executive, & is part of Integral's Executive Committee ...

Matthew Frost, CEO of Tearfund UK

What has been your most interesting job?

My current one.

How many languages do you speak?

English, German, a little French.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

My family & doing what I can to enable colleagues at Tearfund to do the greatest possible good for God’s Kingdom & specifically for people living in poverty.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

Peru, because of the huge diversity of culture & geography, because of the stories of local churches in the high Andes, because of the visible impact of climate change & because I had never been to Latin America until this trip in 2007.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

Talking & listening to loads of fascinating & brilliant people.

What do you find the most challenging?

Not worrying & really trusting, believing that God will provide all I need.

What do find inspiring about Integral?

The Disaster Management Vision we are working towards.

How do you relax?

Walking up mountains.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world? Or where was your favourite place to live?

The Austrian alps.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

I play the piano, am a very experienced skier & really enjoy DIY.

Tearfund UK

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

Call us: +44 (0) 1784 472424

Email Us: s.fordham@integralalliance.org

Visit our website: http://www.integralalliance.org

Write to us: Tyndale House, 3 Grange Road Egham Surrey TW20 9QW, United Kingdom

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Integral, United Kingdom
Copyright 2009, Integral

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December 2009

Laurie Cook — Dec. 8, 2009

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Q&A: So Many Stories To Tell

Integral Marketing Networking Group: Restoring Hope in Zimbabwe

Integral Member Agency: A Different Kind of Christmas

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INTEGRAL Q&A

So Many Stories To Tell

Dr. Chung Chan, is CEDAR Fund Hong Kong's Chief Executive, & is part of the Integral Board ...

Dr. Chung Chan, CEO of Cedar Fund

What is your name & where are you from?

My name is Chung Chan. I was born in Hong Kong, & I am Chinese.

Who do you work for & what is your job title?

My big boss is God. In His kingdom there is a relief, development & justice department. I work in CEDAR Fund as the Chief Executive. For part of my time I also work in His medical department as an ophthalmologist.

What has been your most interesting job apart from your current one?

I have not had many job changes. I have to say that I do enjoy cutting people's eyes & fixing them!

How many languages do you speak?

Cantonese, & it is not too difficult for me to learn Mandarin, the national language of China. I speak English, with mixed accents. I learned Dari, the Persian language in Afghanistan when I worked there. I also like to talk to dogs, birds & many other species!

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

I always first look at the sky & sea. I always feel thankful for God's creation whatever the weather. Then the next thing to do is to feed my tank of fish who always wake up earlier than me.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

My wife & I spent 6 years in Afghanistan, 3 years with the "freedom fighters", & 3 years with the Taliban. There are many stories to tell. Wance, my wife, has written a book about it (in Chinese). There were rockets & bullets flying around while doing eye surgery; we were put into prison; Wance driving amidst the tanks in a military parade, flying Ariana, driving a vehicle stuck with third gear across the frontline through shootings, etc. All of us who worked there have a lot of stories to tell full of both laughter & tears.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

I enjoy the stories of how people's lives are changed, both of those who live in poor communities, as well as those who went to work with them. I am very much encouraged & excited to meet new friends who are also committed & have all sorts of creative ideas.

What do you find the most challenging?

It is hard to change our mind set. It is even harder to pass a signal from our brain to the body to take action. Changing a culture & values is not like performing eye surgery. I need more patience, love, & a great deal of wisdom.

What do you find inspiring about Integral?

Integral Alliance is a wonderful group of Members & along with the Secretariat, are very strong in their Christian faith & well experienced in their fields of service. Yet all meet together with a humble heart, always willing to learn & know more of God. Based on that there is a very special trust among us. We are open to share resources & experience, & to explore new ways to serve in excellence. This was not achieved easily. I must thank all who have contributed with perseverance throughout the years.

How do you relax?

I am a fan of mother nature. I like gardening, & I always smile when I watch my fish, birds & look at photos of the animal world. I love the pink dolphins in Hong Kong.

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

I like to live by the sea with views of green mountains. So there are many quiet places in the world that would fulfill my simple requirement.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

I like sailing, speed boats, & a little bit of water skiing.

Cedar Fund's website

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INTEGRAL MARKETING NETWORKING GROUP

Restoring Hope in Zimbabwe

Years of dictatorial rule, violence & oppression, an economy in tatters & a crumbling infrastructure have created years of untold suffering for the people of Zimbabwe. This Christmas TEAR Fund New Zealand is supporting Tearfund UK's work in the country, & are inviting churches & individuals to make a difference by supporting their Christmas Focus & Restore Hope in Zimbabwe appeal ...

TEAR Fund New Zealand's Restore Hope campaign

The country formerly known as the ‘breadbasket of Africa’ now suffers severe food shortages. "About 85% of the population lives on less than US$2 a day," explains Sheena Duffy, Marketing & Fundraising Director of TEAR Fund New Zealand. "Zimbabwe has the highest number of orphans per capita in the world & children under five are so acutely malnourished that their physical & intellectual growth is stunted." However, signs of better things ahead are emerging: "An improved harvest & a power-sharing government have given cause for hope but still for most, access to adequate food, clean water & healthcare, are still in the future."

TEAR Fund, in conjunction with Tearfund UK, is working with Zimbabwe’s churches to reach the most vulnerable; child-headed households, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans & the elderly living in the SW of Zimbabwe. The programmes aim to provide emergency food to those most in need, improved food security, & nutrition through sustainable vegetable farming, & better healthcare through growing medicinal herbs. Another programme is creating safe water supplies in order to reduce the death toll due to dysentery & cholera, & providing vital emergency food rations, medical supplies, hygiene kits & pastoral care for the high number of political prisoners in Zimbabwe.

"A third programme will promote peace-building activities through the church, aimed at bringing together communities divided by tribal or political lines, so they can work together to overcome poverty," says Sheena. She continues, "We are very encouraged by the overwhelming support from the church this year for this Christmas Focus. Over 1026 said yes to taking materials, which is up over 100 from last year - that represents over 50% of all New Zealand churches. We are very pleased to support Tearfund UK's live-saving work in Zimbabwe by our fundraising efforts."

TEAR Fund New Zealand's website
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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

A Different Kind of Christmas

World Relief Canada are mailing out their Gift of Life catalogue this year, as part of a wider viral marketing campaign, to give their donors the opportunity to have a different kind of Christmas experience ...

World Relief Canada's Christmas campaign logo

"The viral marketing approach featured a prelaunch to our staff," says Dave Clubine, Communications Director of World Relief Canada. "An email was then sent to our donors asking them to watch our web video on YouTube 'A Different Christmas' & pass it along to their friends. They were also invited to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr & Blogspot."

Dave continues, "In mid-November we made photos of the video production (behind the scenes) available on Flickr & Facebook. Later in the month we made the video available on itunes for our pastors to use in their church services. We also offered World Relief case studies for them to share about the lives we have impacted though our work. Finally, we followed-up all this activity with a direct mail appeal featuring our Rwanda microfinance project presented in our Gift catalogue."

Click here to watch the clip
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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

Call us: +44 (0) 1784 472424

Email Us: s.fordham@integralalliance.org

Visit our website: http://www.integralalliance.org

Write to us: Tyndale House, 3 Grange Road Egham Surrey TW20 9QW, United Kingdom

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November 2009

Laurie Cook — Nov. 11, 2009

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Q&A: Serving the Least, Challenging the Affluent

Integral Disaster Response: Integral Responding to the Asian Crises

Integral Member Agency: Because Every Person Counts

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INTEGRAL Q&A

Serving the Least, Challenging the Affluent

Steve Tollestrup, the Executive Director of TEAR Fund New Zealand, is the newest member of the Integral Executive Committee ...

Steve Tollestrup, Executive Director of TEAR Fund New Zealand

Where are you from?

I was born in Hollywood, California (my Dad was an animator for Walt Disney), in my teens went to school in UK, lived in India for two years & have been in New Zealand since 1975.

What has been your most interesting job?

Where again to start? Roadie in a rock 'n roll band, vetinerary assistant, bee-keeper, marketing manager for natural health company, vegetarian chef, graphic designer for a motel chain & industrial chaplain. My current job at TEAR Fund NZ is the one that pushes all the right buttons for me.

How many languages do you speak?

American, Kiwi & enough street Hindi to stay out of trouble. I read NT Greek.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

It might sound like a throwaway line, but calling. I know each day that I am called to serve Christ through serving the least & challenging the affluent.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

Each culture is unique & fascinating, but if I were to pick just one it would be Palestine. The people are so misrepresented in the media & only now is their real plight getting out. I love being there, involved in modern ministry where Jesus himself once walked.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

I enjoy being a people developer. It is great to know that staff feel they have found a job that deeply matters to them, where faith & vocation align. I also enjoy the strategy of organizational development. I think of TEAR Fund NZ as a community, & I love working with my team to develop it organizationally & enhance its culture & effectiveness. I would also add standing in solidarity with the poorest, not as people who are in any way the 'least' but rather brothers & sisters of great courage & hope who are desperately under-resourced. That is the privilege of my job.

What do you find the most challenging?

Communication. Making sure staff, board, partners & stakeholders are all on the same page.

What do find inspiring about Integral?

I consider Integral an emergent organizational entity. As organizations we have all agreed that we are better together & that when we drop our protective or competitive impulses to bring our contribution to the collective table, all our work is enhanced; that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I have no doubt that the model we are using is on the cutting edge of poverty alleviation, maximum impact & resource distribution while demonstrating Christian co-operation.

How do you relax?

I love this question! I strongly believe in work/life balance. I'm a hard worker, but not a workaholic. I love my family & working on renovating my house or landscaping. I enjoy cooking & having friends over. I live in the beautiful New Zealand wilderness so walking in the forest & hills or along the rugged coast is a regular activity. I also am a glider pilot & enjoy the occasional weekend flying amongst the billowing cumulus that form in the North Island.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

Juggle, play blues harmonica & make the best chili this side of west Texas.

TEAR Fund NZ
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INTEGRAL DISASTER RESPONSE

Integral Responding to the Asian Crises

Millions of people across South-East Asia are struggling to cope after a series of natural disasters struck the region. Integral is currently co-ordinating relief efforts across its Members. Here is a round-up of their activities & what has been achieved ...

Muh Nasir in the wreckage of his home. Photo: Kotib/Tearfund UK

Indonesia (Sumatra) earthquake, killing at least 1,100 people:

- Joint needs assessment completed

- Co-ordinatation of delivery of medicines, medical supplies & medical personnel

- Emergency medical care provided through mobile medical clinics

- Provision of emergency relief through partners, including funds, food tents, mosquito nets, tent floor coverings, kitchen kits & repair toolkits

Philippines: 2.5m people affected, 277 dead & 375,000 displaced:

- Co-ordinating the delivery of medicines, medical supplies & medical personnel

- Health kits worth $900,000 USDs sent to support ongoing relief efforts in Manila

- Relief for children & relief family packs provided

- Funds made available for relief efforts of local partners & operational Integral Members

Samoa: More than 500 people reported dead:

- Projects to provide temporary schooling, new schools, monitoring of children’s health, & support for bereaved families are being established

- Working with local churches to provide food, clothing, basic necessities & temporary shelters

Cambodia & Vietnam: 100s dead & 1000s affected.

- A needs assessment has been carried out in Cambodia

- 2 medical teams have been sent to Vietnam & are working with the Red Cross

India flooding. 2.5 million displaced, 250 dead:

- Integral Members are supporting the work of their partners to support relief efforts

Fiona Boshoff, Integral's Director, comments: "In line with the strong desire in Integral to have more co-ordination & less duplication, we are delighted to see more intentional co-operation across our membership in response to all these crises. This includes Tear Netherlands working with Tearfund UK to co-ordinate their responses, TEAR Fund New Zealand taking the lead in Samoa, & World Relief US, Medical Teams & MAP co-ordinating their responses too along with co-operational Members. This will ensure high levels of quality responses in the different countries & result in being to crucial help to more people in a shorter amount of time."

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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

Because Every Person Counts

This year Tearfund Belgium celebrated their 30th anniversary. To mark this special occasion they have created a new logo & brand. Here Cecil Van Maelsaeke, the General Director of Tearfund Belgium, explains the thinking behind their new image ...

Tearfund Belgium's new logo

"Tearfund Belgium's new logo is built upon our name & a figure of a woman & child in the top corner right. The letter ‘T’ in our name has been adapted, so that you can recognize a cross, emphasizing our Christian identity. The logo figure in the upper right corner is composed of three elements: the figure of a women, the figure of a child & a circle. This is to communicate our most important target group, ‘women & children’. The circle around the little figures represents the ‘embrace’ of Tearfund Belgium.

Our vision statement simply states: 'A world in which every person counts, without poverty & injustice'. Instead of experiencing life as a gift of God, millions of people endure life as a tragedy because of poverty & injustice. For us every person is a unique creation of God, & so worthy to receive our attention. Following on from that, our mission is: 'bringing people together to fight poverty & injustice', with a special focus on the situation of women & children in the developing world. To underline this message, we use a strap-line of a text balloon with the words: ‘because every person counts’".

Fiona Boshoff, Integral's Director, sent a word of greeting to Tearfund Belgium on their 30th birthday: "Tearfund Belgium may be a small organization but your expertise in partnering with others makes your impact much greater than your size. We rejoice with you over what God has done through you in looking back over the last 30 years. We pray that your time of celebration will be a time of remembering & rejoicing in God’s faithfulness, & that your new logo & brand is a fresh start to take you forward."

Tearfund Belgium

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C O N T A C T INTEGRAL

Call us: +44 (0) 1784 472424

Email Us: s.fordham@integralalliance.org

Visit our website: http://www.integralalliance.org

Write to us: Tyndale House, 3 Grange Road Egham Surrey TW20 9QW, United Kingdom

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October 2009

Laurie Cook — Oct. 15, 2009

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Integral Q & A: God's Power at Work

Programme Networking Group: Integral Members Close the Book on Guinea Worm in Cote d'Ivoire

Integral Member Agency: REAL. LIFE. Exhibit.

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INTEGRAL Q & A

God's Power at Work

Marnix Niemeijer is the Director of Tear Netherlands & is part of the Integral ExCo & Board ...

Marnix Niemeijer, CEO of Tear Netherlands

Where are you from?

I live in Amersfoort, a city about 45 km from Amsterdam.

What has been your most interesting job?

I feel very blessed to have had several ‘most interesting jobs’.
1) Asia Director for an international Dutch-based refugee organisation, based in Bangkok, where I saw the effects of evil political systems, but where I also saw God's greatness, diversity & humility working in the people.
2) Director of a national association for parents of mentally disabled people, where I experienced the strength of sharing emotions, the power of common values & practices, & the true meaning of an inclusive society & church.
3) My current job, which brings the blessings of a variety of national & international relations.

How many languages do you speak?

Dutch, English & German & a little Thai. I understand Frisian, a minority language in the Netherlands.

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

It is difficult to say. I've had many memorable visits to many countries. For example, it was thrilling to visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during my first stay in the US: to read aloud the ‘I have a dream’ speech of Martin Luther King on the some spot where he delivered his speech in 1963 (nobody was listening!)

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

The variety. Every week - no, every day - is different.

What do you find the most challenging?

To keep focused. To organise time for reflection on God, His Kingdom & my efforts.

What do find inspiring about Integral?

In general all the contacts - more specifically, the times of devotion we spend together as the Board & ExCo. Wonderful stories of vulnerable people.

How do you relax?

Watching football with my son, sitting in the garden with my wife, reading good books & enjoying the fellowship of friends.

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

I am a published poet.

Tear Netherlands website

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PROGRAMME NETWORKING GROUP

Integral Members Close the Book on Guinea Worm in Cote d'Ivoire

Guinea worm is the first parasitic disease targeted for eradication by the World Health Organisation (WHO) & other global health development organisations. TEAR Fund New Zealand (TFNZ) has recently joined fellow Integral Member MAP International (MAUS) in the final phase of a 10 year project to rid the west African nation of Cote d'Ivoire of this crippling disease ...

A woman draws water from a pump that MAUS repaired in the village of Palla. MAUS has repaired more than 50 pumps & installed hundreds of water purification filters in villages across the country

"In the early 1990s the government of Cote d'Ivoire realised Guinea worm was a significant problem, especially among children & others in rural villages who lacked access to clean water," explains Michael Nyenhuis, MAUS President & CEO. "So the government began a campaign to eradicate the worm from the country. We joined the fight 10 years ago & have been a vital player in what has been a successful effort. In 2009 TFNZ joined us to provide funding & support for the crucial last phase of the process."

Guinea worm is transmitted exclusively by drinking contaminated water. The disease affects people in rural, deprived & isolated communities who depend on open water sources, such as ponds & shallow wells. It can cause agonising pain, which affects agricultural activities when workers are unable to work. It can cause malnutrition & neglect among children when their guardians are affected. In order for the WHO to consider a country officially free of the parasite, there must be no reported cases for three years. The last case of Guinea worm in Cote d’ Ivoire was recorded in September 2006. Michael says, “If all goes well, the country will be certified Guinea worm-free early next year. It is an amazing achievement to rid a country of a disease.”

During the past 20 years, the number of cases of Guinea worm has fallen by 99% worldwide & 168 countries or territories are now certified free of transmission. "Because there are no effective drugs or vaccines, the way to eliminate the incidence of Guinea worm is to ensure that people have clean water," says Michael. "By repairing & maintaining water pumps, constructing filter systems, providing education in pump repair & bio-sand filter usage, MAUS & TFNZ have helped put eradication of the disease within reach."

MAP International website

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INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

REAL. LIFE. Exhibit.

The Medical Teams International (MTUS) HQ in Portland, USA was the venue for last month's Programme Networking Group (PNG) meetings. It is also the home to a walk-through, multi-sensory exhibit which allows people to experience what REAL LIFE is like for children affected by disaster, poverty & conflict. Here's how the unique exhibit came about & what some of Integral's International Programme Directors thought about it ...

Scenes from the exhibit - a Mexican garbage dump & a Romanian orphanage

"The idea started in 1999 with volunteers when our Seattle-area staff & volunteers planned their annual fundraiser. They thought 'outside of the box', rented an abandoned naval facility & hosted a dinner & auction in an airplane hangar," says Lynn Vanderzalm, volunteer Exhibit Creative & Education Advisor, & wife of MTUS President Bas Vanderzalm. "The volunteers wanted people to experience something of what they had experienced during their time as a team on the field. They had friends who worked in construction & set design, so they took their photos & created the first vignettes—of a Mexico garbage dump, a Romanian orphanage, & a Moldovan hospital. As people walked through the vignettes, they were deeply moved as they experienced the places where our volunteers serve."

She continues, "When we purchased our current HQ building we had enough space for a permanent exhibit! We then re-evaluated & upgraded with the goal of deepening the experiential nature & educational value of the exhibit. Since we re-opened the exhibit as the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit on September 11, 2006, more than 30,000 people have toured the exhibit."

Exhibit visitors now step into a further 5 places where the volunteers of MTUS serve with their local in-country partners:

• A medical triage clinic at the New Orleans Convention Center after Hurricane Katrina.

• A room with a 25-foot (7.6 meter) tsunami wave.

• A Ugandan camp for displaced people.

• An Albanian Kosovar refugee camp.

• A Mozambiquan village compound where HIV and AIDS has ravaged the community.

Here are some responses of Integral's PNG to the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit:

"Powerful. Moving. Thoughtful. More than an exhibition, a call to action." Ruth Faber, Mission East.

"A brilliant exhibit. We must act!" Peter Grant, Tearfund UK.

"A powerful exhibit. I am moved. If a picture is better than a thousand words, an exhibit is worth 10,000! " Dr Ravi Jayakaran MAP International.

"It is like I have shared the life of Isobella – a Mozambiquan woman with AIDS, just for a while, but that ‘makes the difference’. And that becomes ‘real’. I hope this exhibit will have a real impact on people who will live the same experience." Veronique Lavoue, SEL France.

"So good to remember why we’ve given our lives to this." Stephan Bauman, World Relief US.

Watch a video about the exhibit

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Integral Newsletter

February 2012

January 2012

March 2011

February 2011

January 2011

December 2010

November 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

October 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

September 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

August 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

July 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Q&A: Going the Distance

2. Integral Program Group: Turning Houses into Homes

INTEGRAL Q&A

Going the Distance

What has been your most interesting job?

How many languages do you speak?

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

What do you find the most challenging?

What do find inspiring about Integral?

How do you relax?

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

Turning Houses into Homes

June 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Organizational Learning Q&A: The Journey of Learning

2. Integral Program Group: Being Salt & Light

INTEGRAL ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING Q&A

The Journey of Learning

How do you define organizational learning & why is it important to your organization?

How does organizational learning influence & change the work of your organisation on a daily basis?

How do you encourage your staff to learn from their practice together? What tools, methods or resources have you used?

INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

May 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Welcomes New Member!

2. Integral Program Group: Rebuilding through Microfinance

INTEGRAL Q & A

What has been your most interesting job?

How many languages do you speak?

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

What has been your most memorable country visit with your work & why?

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

What do you find the most challenging?

What informed your decision to join Integral?

What do find inspiring about Integral?

How do you relax?

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

What skill do you have that many don’t know you possess?

INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP Rebuilding through Microfinance

April 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1. Integral Programme Networking Group: Understanding Holistic Development

2. Integral Member Agency: First Fairtrade Schools in Slovakia

3. Integral Q&A : A World Free from Poverty

INTEGRAL PROGRAMME NETWORKING GROUP

Understanding Holistic Development

INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY First Fairtrade Schools in Slovakia

INTEGRAL Q&A

A World Free from Poverty

What has been your most interesting job?

How many languages do you speak?

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

What has been your most memorable country visit with work & why?

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

What do you find the most challenging?

What do find inspiring about Integral?

How do you relax?

Where would be your favourite place to live in the world?

What skill do your have that many don’t know you possess?

INTEGRAL PROGRAM GROUP

Rebuilding through Microfinance

INTEGRAL MEMBER AGENCY

First Fairtrade Schools in Slovakia

INTEGRAL Q&A

Creating Sustainable Solutions

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INTEGRAL MARKETING NETWORKING GROUP

Sharing Media Resources

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INTEGRAL Q&A

Joining Hands for Haiti

Integral, United Kingdom
Copyright 2009, Integral

Integral, United Kingdom
Copyright 2009, Integral