Support increased access to health care
Your gifts ensure that economically vulnerable communities have access to the health care they need. Help support the revitalization of facilities and staff training, building better water sources, developing sanitation facilities, eradicating preventable diseases, and caring for mothers and their children.
“Before, I didn’t know what mpox was, let alone differentiate it from other skin diseases. Now I can recognize the symptoms and know what to do if I notice them in myself or someone else in my family.”
The spread of infectious diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), like measles and mpox, is of significant concern to The United Methodist Church. With support from Global Ministries Global Health unit, UMC health boards and facilities were equipped to handle suspected mpox cases. They quickly responded to an outbreak earlier this year, providing essential medical care and education about the virus. The collaboration between health boards and local community leaders, like UMC pastors, played a crucial role in addressing this public health challenge, focusing on prevention, treatment and education to safeguard the health of vulnerable populations in the DRC.
“We didn’t know that one person can contaminate others living in the same community…I don’t want to cause the people in my house and neighborhood to get sick. That is why I decided to build my latrine.”
For decades, Haiti has endured natural disasters and civil unrest that has negatively affected the country’s resources for clean water and sanitation in its villages.
A Global Health grant helped about 10,000 people form community groups to construct and maintain household latrines and handwashing stations. Combined with community education on proper hygiene techniques, they are able to decrease outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases that plague Haiti.
“I am here to represent women and show our community that women, just like men, can play an important role in driving community development.”
In South Sudan, the breakdown of a vital well led to a surge in sickness as residents resorted to untreated water from the Kueng River. Local health authorities lacked the necessary parts for repairs, but the Women’s Well Repair Initiative, supported by Global Ministries and other partners, quickly mobilized a repair team just a day after being notified.
This innovative program empowers women, many of whom are heads of households, by providing mechanical training and promoting well repair as a sustainable business. It improves health, economic stability and community participation across more than 300 communities in Bhar el-Ghazal. Julia, a mother of three nominated by her church, now leads a repair team, enhancing her family’s living conditions and contributing to the well-being of her community.