International Anglican Aid

Please could you remember this in prayer and commend it to your people for their support.

The launch of Manna Microfinance in Southern Sudan

Southern Sudan is to become a new country this coming July.   Over two thirds of its people are Christian and one third Anglican.  Their country has been ravaged by 21 years of war.  The urgent need is to create long-term and sustainable economic development.

At the request of the GAFCON Primates Council, Anglican International Development (AID) has begun to work in partnership with the Episcopal Church of Sudan.  Together with the Bridge Foundation, India (an organization with over 25 years of experience in this area), AID is helping to set up and support a micro-finance entity – Manna Microfinance – for the whole ECS, beginning in Juba Diocese but with plans to eventually to cover all dioceses in southern Sudan.

On Tuesday, March 29^th, two and a half years of investigation and research will culminate as Manna-Microfinance is launched in Juba.  Leaders of the Church, Cabinet Ministers and a visiting delegation of Christian investors from South Africa will attend.

Once launched, Manna Microfinance will train church leadership and set up self-help groups of potential micro-entrepreneurs within churches.  Group members, mainly those who already run small businesses, will receive training in business and financial management.   If all goes well, it is planned to make loans available from June 2011.

Enough support has been raised to launch the programme and make initial loans. For the ongoing work we need your support as follows:

For two field officers at £350 per month each:                                              £8,400 for a year

For the manager at £500 a month:                                                              £6,000 for a year

For 10 Workshops to train groups 50 people:                                                £5,000 for a year

For an existing business to generate employment for one more person: £250

To enable a person to begin a sustainable self-employed business:                  £300

The types of businesses envisaged as a result of our research are:

A small shop; A fruit stall; A vegetable stall: Selling mobile phone top-up cards; Tea Shop; Selling Charcoal Fuel; Tailoring; Dress-Making; Car and 2-wheeler vehicle washing.

Mr. Milton Devadason of the Bridge Foundation, India is to be our manager on the ground for the initial period of training and start up.

Microfinance is just one of the areas of work that AID is involved in in southern Sudan.  Plans are also afoot to develop projects in agriculture, water, healthcare, education and church support.

Further details can be found on this website (www.interanglicanaid.org) under Manna Microfinance.

Donations can be made through Paypal by clicking Donations

Donations can also be made to AID at 21 High Street, Eynsham, Oxfordshire, OX29 4HE.

Anglican International Development is the working name of AID for Relief and Change Ltd,a registered charity (Number 1138664) in England & Wales and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Number 06732802). 

Trustees:  Rev David Holloway, Sir Donald Curry, Canon Dr Chris Sugden

Panel of Reference: Rev Paul Perkin, Sir Christopher Wates, Bishop John Ellison,  Baroness Caroline Cox

Executive Officer: John Inglis-Jones