outreach
Global Health Ministries Nurses Scholarship
Simonette , a nurse , is only 26 years old , but she is the Medical Director at Vorehe , a Lutheran health center in rural Madagascar . Simonette received a scholarship for her last year of nurses ’ training through Global Health Ministries ( GHM ). Her training is critical to providing access to health care for people living in the remote villages around Vorehe . There was a doctor at this health facility when she first arrived about a year ago , but he left in July for a clinic that had neither a doctor nor a nurse .
The World Health Organization estimates that fewer than 2.3 nurses , midwives and physicians per 1,000 people is simply not enough to cover basic healthcare needs . The most recent studies estimate that in Madagascar there are about three health workers for 10,000 people . In Ethiopia there are only two . For a young Malagasy or Ethiopian woman , these statistics are especially troubling because access to a skilled nurse or midwife when she is pregnant can mean the difference between life and death for her and her baby .
At Bethlehem ’ s Women ’ s Day of Service this year , the idea of creating a scholarship fund for nursing and midwifery students was formed . Several women have already made contributions to get this fund started , and others have asked how to participate .
To donate to the WDOS Scholarship Fund make a check out to Bethlehem , noting WDOS Scholarship in the memo field .
GHM provides scholarships for students at SEFAM , the Lutheran School of Nursing in Madagascar , and Aira School of Nursing and Midwifery , a Lutheran nursing school in Ethiopia . Both schools are accredited and meet ( or exceed ) international standards .
There are a number of ways to contribute to Women ’ s Day of Service , including helping buy the items that are needed for service projects and contributing funds to help with shipping costs . And , of course , we are thankful for the many Bethlehem women who donate amazing amounts of time and energy to this event . We ’ re excited about this new way to participate !
Save the date for Women ' s Day of Service 2018- Saturday , February 10 , 2018 .
Volunteer Opportunity at Global Health Ministries !
Volunteers are needed at Global Health Ministries once a month for a variety of tasks including sorting donated items and quality control for newborn and hospice kits . If you are interested , please contact Marilyn and Kent Christensen , kentmarilync @ gmail . com or 952.484.7802 or Ann Senne , deanannluke @ gmail . com or 612.922.4172 .
COME and SEE what God is doing in Ethiopia !
Information Meetings- April 23 ( Mpls ), April 30 ( Mtka )
Holistic Ministry of Children of the Horn of Africa ( HMCHA ) works in a rural area of Ethiopia , near Addis Ababa , sponsoring extremely poor children and responding to needs expressed by the community . HMCHA , started by Bethlehem member Megersa Kumbi , began building a community center last year and will be finished in the next couple months . You can be part of the celebration !
Have you dreamed of going to Africa ? Now is your chance ! Travel with us to see what God is doing in Ethiopia . Do some painting , help build bookcases for the library at the community center , and teach some lessons to the children . Worship with Lutheran Christians and visit families in their homes .
A trip is being planned for early October , 2017 . Exact dates for this tax-deductible trip are yet to be determined . Join us for an informational meeting :
Minneapolis Campus- Sunday , April 23 , 10:15 am
Minnetonka Campus- Sunday , April 30 , 10:45 am
For more information contact Carol Pfleiderer : carolpfl @ aol . com . or 952.465.1349
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