Where We Work | Asia and the Middle East | India

India

India has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with dramatic increases in income and life expectancy, yet nearly 80% of the population is still living on less than $2 a day. Indian society bears the marks of old caste divisions that preserve the privileged station of a few while marginalizing many others. The most marginalized, particularly women, tribals and Dalits, lack access to basic needs, rights and services such as health care, adequate nutrition, education, land, credit or the opportunity to earn a livelihood. Unfortunately, these injustices are perpetuated because many of those affected lack the literacy skills, education, and knowledge of governmental systems necessary to advocate for their rights.

In addition to the ongoing issues that hinder efforts to maintain sustainable livelihoods, many impoverished areas are extremely susceptible to natural disasters. The tsunami that hit India on December 26, 2004 exposed that vulnerability, destroying much of the infrastructure and resources present in coastal communities.

OUR HISTORY IN India
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) has been working in India since the 1950s when we began sending supplies to help alleviate suffering caused by famine, poverty and tuberculosis. Our work has expanded significantly over the past 50 years and now includes more than 20 projects that assist India’s poor and marginalized.

LWR WORKS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS
To create sustainable rural livelihoods by:

• Providing HIV/AIDS education and awareness;
• Training community health workers in disease prevention and awareness as well as building clinics for treatment;
• Training agricultural workers in environmentally sound practices that increase production and diversification, leading to better health and nutrition;
• Improving water management for retention and irrigation;
• Promoting self-help micro-enterprise efforts and providing training in micro-credit management;
• Providing literacy education and promoting awareness of social issues like health care, government and education.

To build peace and justice by:

• Empowering communities to advocate to authorities on their own behalf through education on causes of marginalization, legal aid, governance and social services, as well as offering advocacy training;
• Training women in leadership skills, as well as creating women’s self-help groups that generate opportunities for income and increased self-reliance.

To respond to emergencies by:

• Rehabilitating and reconstructing tsunami-affected areas through re-establishing livelihoods, building temporary housing and shelters, providing boats and nets to fisher folk, repairing schools, installing irrigation systems, initiating food and cash for work programs, and creating disaster preparedness task forces;
• Providing material resources for distribution through local social service agencies.

ACCOMPANIMENT: HOW WE WORK
Lutheran World Relief believes working with local partners is the key to lasting changes that end poverty and bring justice. We work together with trust, respect and accountability in order to most effectively serve those for whom we work.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.