It is a sad reality that most of the money given to the developing world gets stolen before it can reach the intended recipient. The money that does get through is often used in a way that either doesn’t help at all or actually makes matters worse. By means of a grassroots network of indigenous Christian partners in the developing world, Word & Deed is able to ensure that any donations you make are in fact delivered to the intended recipients in the way that best meets their needs.

There are a number of ways that you can plug into this efficient and effective means of bringing hope to precious individuals in the developing world. One way is to become part of a local Word & Deed business group.

Word & Deed is setting up a number of regional business groups across North America, following the example of Woord en Daad in The Netherlands, where this approach has been used with great success over the past few years. As a member of this group, you will be able to pool your donation with that of other members to support a sizeable project. It further provides an opportunity to connect and identify with that project. From afar, you can watch it make a life-changing impact on countless lives. There will also be an opportunity for members of your group to periodically visit the projects your group supports.

The First Business Group
In December of 2007, the Word & Deed Business Group of Southern Alberta was launched. The members of this group pledged $28,000 and chose to support a micro-loans project in Colombia (budget of $40,000) that will provide small loans to a total of 126 families over three years to start their own businesses. Unfortunately, I didn’t remember to take a picture until I saw the tail lights of the last member drive away. Coordinators: Hank Arnoldussen 403.553.3311; John Van Hierden 403.327.9941 Dave Van Pelt 403.345.5175

Subsequent Groups
In April of 2008, several more groups were launched.

The Hamilton South Chapter met on April 9, at the Rehoboth United Reformed Church, and chose to support the new three-year John Calvin Christian school building project in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 2008. The fund-raising goal for this large project is $308,000 for each of 2008, 2009 and 2010. Actual construction will begin in 2009, the Lord willing. Numerous fund-raising activities (choirs, hunger awareness campaigns, etc.), churches and business groups will be needed to successfully complete this project. Coordinator: John Langendoen 905.679.8937

The Calgary, Alberta Chapter met on April 14 at the Blackfoot Inn and selected the John Calvin Christian School as well for which $38,000 was pledged with more to come. Coordinators: Edwin Kamphuis 403.281.6990; Don Fraser 403.239.9191; Lydia Vandenberg 403.668.9729

The Central Alberta Chapter met at Wolf Creek Inn near Ponoka on April 15 and selected a large multi-purpose building for the Nkhoma orphan care project in central Malawi as the project they will fund. This project has a budget of $74,000 and will involve a great deal of volunteer labor from the local people. Coordinator: John Lindemulder 403.783.8443

The Edmonton Chapter met at the Orthodox Reformed Church of Edmonton on April 16 and selected the Medical Clinic project in Barranquilla, Colombia. They hope to raise $50,000 for this project, which involves restoring an existing but shut-down (due to government corruption and neglect) medical clinic. The project will require an estimated $172,000 in operating costs for the first year, decreasing to zero over three years as small fees are charged to those who can afford it. Coordinator: Tom DeGraaf 780.469.9264

The Chilliwack Chapter met at the Chilliwack Free Reformed Church on Thursday, April 17 and selected two projects to support. First, they will fund the $30,000 home rebuilding project in Nicaragua (supplying wood for rebuilding 100 homes, with families providing the labor) and then remaining funds will go towards operating the Girls’ Home in Colombia. Coordinators: Corney Les 604.795.6938 ; Allan Les 604.799.3222 ; Dick Westeringh 604.823.6081

Each of these groups is looking to expand their numbers, so if you live in the area, please contact the representative. If you would like to help start a group in your area, please call me. New groups are being established in the Hamilton and St. Catharines areas in June, the Lord willing.

Here is how it works …

1. Local businessmen and women with a desire to make a major difference in the lives of needy people in the developing world are asked to join the local Word & Deed Business Group Chapter. Prospective members are asked to commit to a $1500 donation per year but lesser amounts are also gratefully accepted. Some will be in a position to give more.
   

2. A business group launch is held, at which a Word & Deed representative gives a presentation providing a brief overview of Word & Deed – mission, strategy, areas of emphasis (using indigenous Christians to run our projects, for example). A selection of projects is then reviewed.
   

3. All are asked to write on a slip of paper how much they would be willing to donate (they could also write a check at that point). The Word & Deed representative tallies the amounts so that the total amount of funding is known.
4. The group discusses which project they’d like to support. A vote is held to determine the final selection. The group may take on a whole project or part of one.
   

5. Periodic updates are provided to the group as the project progresses.
   

6. Every few years, one or two members of the group visit one of the projects they’ve been supporting. This travel is self-funded. These members are then in a position to bring back a first-hand account of the project to their fellow group members.
   

7. The following year, the group chooses another project or continues to fund the current one (for example, operational costs).
   

Please call 877.375.9673 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out how to join an existing group or how to start a new one in your area.

Rick Postma is director of public relations for Word & Deed Ministries