Making a Difference in the Sudan with the Ministry of "Make Way Partners"

Kimberly Smith / AH : Aug 22, 2006
ASSIST News Service

Known as the worst country in the world for human trafficking, Sudan, in Africa, is also the place where "Make Way Partners (MWP)" is making a difference, rescuing women and children from slavery, and preventing others from being caught in it.

Kimberly Smith, specialist to ASSIST News, shares on her experiences in working with this effective ministry. "At our nearly 40-acre compound in Sudan we provide financial support and training for indigenous Christians to develop a school, church, food programs, a medical clinic, micro enterprise for former slaves and, coming soon, - dormitories for orphans," says Smith.

"This compound is strategically located on the border between the North and the South. Therefore, we are the first line of love and care to those who escape their Muslim slave masters from the North, while providing much assistance and protection for the children who are most vulnerable to the slave raiders seeking new victims.

"This year I have spent approximately three months with the women and children on our compound in Sudan. We have nearly 400 children in our care now. Two thirds of them are orphans, with the remaining one third being children from the community.

"Even after five decades of war and Islamic invasion, the indigenous Christian community remains vibrant. However, being the poorest country in the world, the local Christians are not equipped to provide practical assistance to their people. MWP is on the ground to encourage, edify and support the local Christians in their desire to help their own people. We also ensure strong accountability structures for the funds provided.

"The success of this work is that all MWP ministry efforts are conceived, designed and implemented by indigenous Christians. We aren't working toward local ‘buy-in' for our plan; instead, we are encouraging the Christians in Sudan in their God-given dreams for a healing ministry to their own people. Far too often we have seen Western plans fail in Africa, because they are just that, ‘Western Plans.'"

To read more on the work of MWP, follow the link below.