Changing the cycle of poverty is not only dependant on focusing on children but also on community development on a holistic level. Every year, more than 10 million children die totally preventable deaths. Some are directly caused by illness such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. Others are caused by indirect causes including conflict and HIV/AIDS. Malnutrition, poor hygiene and lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation contribute to more than half of these deaths. Two thirds of both neonatal and young child deaths — over 6 million deaths every year — are preventable. Half a million women die in pregnancy each year, most during delivery or in the first few days thereafter. At Jordan House we recognise the importance of being a light in the community and being part of the solution, we operate a community center providing training to community members free of charge on subjects such as Hygiene and sanitation, literacy, Christian discipleship classes, and as more resource and people become involved we plan to begin a community nursing clinic specifically targeting on pre-natal and post-natal care, HIV/AIDS awareness, and Malaria awareness and treatment.
Impacting a community makes a lasting and sustainable change, with the help of strategic partnerships and donors we plan to implement projects such as the Bio-Sand filter which transforms dirty/soiled water into drinkable water – in an area where cholera is common this project will save and improve the quality of lives, the door sized garden is also a practical project to implement in high density slum areas; this project can provide fresh vegetables for a household. If you are interested in becoming involved in community development either by making a tax deductible contribution or by volunteering you time either in your country or in Uganda please contact us.
As we grow we plan to implement community placement of children at risk, keeping Orphaned and Vulnerable children with existing family members and ensuring they gain an education, good health and nutrition and pastoral care through our community sponsorship program – we will also have a social worker visit onsite and at Jordan House weekly. Our community centre acts as both a training centre for people in our immediate community and also a base for us to implement community based projects that will bring lasting change.