The Mid-South District LCMS have been actively involved in outreach ministry in the Southeast of Lake Victoria Diocese (SELVD) for close to 20 years. We have been involved in church planting and evangelism efforts, as well as raising money for church roofs. We have also assisted with several social ministries, one of which is children affected by albinism.
The people living in the SELVD experience a very high rate of albinism, maybe 10 or 20 times greater than in the US. Those people affected by the genetic condition have tremendous health problems, but also experience serious social problems, including shame, exclusion, persecution and even threats on their lives.
As a result, many have not been able to attend school and outside events for fear of their safety. Many are brought to an orphanage by their parents for safekeeping. As they are aging out of the orphanage, one of the programs the SELVD developed with help from a Finnish church group is called the Deaconess House. at the house young women with albinism learn independent living skills and such as sewing to start their own businesses.
The diocese sees the need to provide young men who are ready to leave the safety of the orphanage to have life skills to support themselves. To find out more about the need for this project, check out the video made back in 2019 by missionaries Linda and Eric Funke featured on the website for Southeast of Lake Victoria here.
If you would like to help, the Mid-South District is currently accepting checks for this project. Please mail a check to Mid-South District LCMS, 1675 Wynne Road, Cordova, TN 38016 and write “Tanzania Albinism Project” in the memo line.
You must be logged in to post a comment.