Multiple Partners #3

We've received some excellent responses to our previous blog entries that warrant a reply. In our attempt to shed some light on the complexity of multiple partners providing resources and support for our Lutheran sisters and brothers in Africa, we were merely providing some information and personal perspectives about what we've learned during the past nine months. We fully acknowledge that we have much, much more to learn about the partnerships in the countries we serve.

There are so many organizations-large and small- that provide support, resources and programming in Tanzania and Rwanda. In our blog, we mentioned only a small number of the ones we've encountered. Many of these have Christian foundations, and quite a few have Lutheran origins. The Lutheran connection of the latter group may be through individuals, congregations, synods or even denominations. In trying to clarify the relationships of these organizations to the Global Mission outreach of the ELCA, we were not as clear as we should have been.

We were in no way casting dispersions on any of the organizations we mentioned that provide assistance in Africa. We thank God for their compassion for our African brothers and sisters and their passion for service. We do apologize if we caused any consternation among those who may be part of these partnerships.

Since our arrival in Tanzania, we have had many conversations with representatives of the international Lutheran partners, with church leadership (bishops, etc.), and with representatives of NGOs and other groups providing services. The concerns we shared were issues that were raised in those conversations.

As we mentioned in our previous blog entry, one major concern is the lack of a means of coordination and communication among these organizations and with our African companions. With greater coordination and more transparency in communication, it seems that our work together might be even more effective. Interpretation of the work and relationships of these multiple partners to our brothers and sisters in Tanzania and Rwanda has become one of our tasks as ELCA Regional Representatives.

We mentioned two very significant NGOs that are highly regarded both ecumenically and by the ELCA. These are Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Both of these are pan-Lutheran organizations. In other words, the ELCA is one of several (LWR) to many (LWF) other Lutheran communions that work together through these organizations. The relationship of the ELCA with LWR and LWF is a good example of the coordination and communication among organizations that results in more effective outreach, builds greater capacity among those assisted and enhances the missions of all the partners involved.

Whereas LWR and LWF are independent organizations, the ELCA Global Mission Unit works very closely with them in order to fulfill its mission to serve the poor and displaced in the world. Because reduction of the ravages of diseases related to poverty is a strategic priority of ELCA-GM, the ELCA is a major financial partner in the LWR malaria and HIV/AIDS initiatives in Africa. Where the ELCA does not have the direct access to places that are in dire need of food, water or other critical assistance, the LWR or LWF act as distributors of the resources provided through ELCA member donations. For example, a portion of the donations given to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal benefits the hunger assistance programs of both LWR and LWF.

LWR and LWF work closely together through the LWF development arm , Department for World Service (DWS). In addition, these organizations also partner with other local, ecumenical and international organizations in order to do their work. One of these organizations is Bread for the World. Thus, the multiple partner web increases both in scope of services provided and in complexity.

A second concern is the incredible amount of private monies and material resources that is funneled into projects and ministries in Africa from the U.S. and abroad. It would seem that there should be so much more to show for all this assistance in the increase of capacity of the Lutheran church and its dioceses and sustainability of its institutions, ministries and programs. There are positive results, to be sure, especially where these funds have been managed well; however, dependency on outside financial assistance continues and issues regarding accountability persist.

The issue of accountability for how the funds or other material donations were used was a consistent theme among the partnerships we encountered. Sadly, we heard of instances where the lack of appropriate accounting by partnering organizations had led to mismanagement of funds entrusted to them by their donors. Further, we’ve learned that the methods of and capacity for accounting and bookkeeping vary widely from one diocese to another.

Although an audit system is in place in the ELCT, there are dioceses that have not taken advantage of this external means of evaluation of use of program funds or goods. Some dioceses were in such financial straits that they couldn’t afford to pay for the cost of a formal audit of their books. As a result, there have been a few situations where the lack of proper internal controls or accounting resulted in misappropriation of funds, mismanagement of goods and even embezzlement. When questions about accountability were raised, the level of trust between partners was damaged.

In one location, partners from the U.S. discovered a storage room filled with medical supplies that had been shipped years before. These items had been donated and sent to the hospital at great cost to the partners in the U.S. During their meeting with the hospital administration, the partners had received a list of supplies desperately needed by the institution. Most of the items requested were right there in the hospital storage room still in their original, unopened containers. Worst of all, many of the supplies that would have benefited patients at the hospital were out of date and, therefore, unusable. A huge amount of these outdated supplies and, therefore, a significant amount of money, literally went up in flames when a bonfire was built to dispose of the items. The U.S. partner told the hospital that no more supplies would be sent until it better managed what it already had been given.

A third issue that has surfaced in our conversations with partners serving in Africa is the partners’ understanding of “giving aid” or “helping” versus accompaniment. As mentioned above, money and material resources have been pouring into East African communities for decades, but the poverty, lack of adequate infrastructure, poor educational opportunities, and high incidences of disease remain. Instead of developing independence from external support, dependency has been maintained.

An example of this is the hospital bonfire mentioned above. Medical supplies and instruments were sent by containers to help the work of the hospital. This is a wonderful thing, and these items were necessary in a country where they are expensive or not available. However, before they arrived, there had been no process developed or indigenous person trained to oversee and manage the organization and use of these supplies. Perhaps if greater capacity for management of the donations had been developed, there would have been no need for that expensive bonfire.

Christian teachings point to service for others as a way of life. Christ is viewed as the Servant King who was willing to die in order that his people would live abundant lives. However, Jesus didn’t merely give out food or bring medicines, he provided the food for life through his teachings and the healing that allowed those whose lives he touched to more freely and fully participate in their communities. Those he forgave, healed, and fed were sent out to continue this ministry in their society. They became the embodiment of his word and ministry that would continue. This ministry has been sustained for 2000 years.

As long as organizations view themselves as “givers” or “helpers” their work is all one-sided. Those who receive are not necessarily being helped to build their own capacity to continue and sustain the services started by the outsiders. It is when programs and services to enhance lives grow out of the needs and passions of the people, themselves, that greater success is possible.

Starting where the people are and with needs they themselves have identified and then assisting them in their quest to meet these needs by developing the capacity within the individuals and community to help themselves is the most effective way to partner for future sustainability. In essence, in this partnership, one of the members works its way out of a job while the other works its way toward self-sustainability. This is known as “accompaniment.” With the accompaniment model, the partners may start out as giver and receiver, but they are enabled to continue as equal companions and when the time comes, part as lifelong friends.