Some of our Projects

The projects appearing in this list have been selected to give an overview of the different sorts of Commit to Community projects supported by Baptist World Aid Australia.

The community development projects undertaken by our partners seek to meet the needs of the individual communities which they serve. This means there can be great variation between the activities and goals of the different projects.

Bangladesh

Community Based Rehabilitation for Disabled People
This project aims to reduce the social stigma and vulnerability of people with disabilities and promote their human rights. Through income generation skills and education, adult participants can increase their financial independence and enjoy greater acceptance in society. The program also provides health training and runs three community-based physiotherapy centres, to provide services for people with physical disabilities. Project Cost: AU$91,500

India

Mizoram Development Education 
Slash and burn farming is a common agricultural method in Mizoram. However this is not a sustainable approach as it can often reduce the nutrients in the soil, resulting in decreased land productivity after only a few harvests. This project assists farmers to gain legal title of their land and provides training in technical skills and sloping agricultural land techniques (SALT) to enable self-sustaining land use. The project also assists with the transition between the old and new farming technique, by supporting families in the establishment of kitchen gardening and green houses. Project Cost: AU$81,000.

Nepal

HELP Nepal
The project HELP Nepal, is a community health and integrated development project. It provides support to communities in a variety of areas including health education, school support and health awareness programs, water and sanitation, agricultural training and micro savings and lending groups. One focus area of the project is to increase the amount of land available for farming use and household income gained from agriculture. Community restoration of water systems has been important in helping to achieve this goal. Project Cost: AU$64,500

Cambodia

Peace Bridges
Peace Bridges aims to provide effective, culturally sensitive training for local people and organisations to promote awareness in peace building and conflict resolution. Lack of conflict resolution within Non-Government Organisations and other implementing bodies in Cambodia can be a cause of failure for development projects. By partnering with various agencies and running comprehensive training courses, Peace Bridges is building foundations for successful poverty alleviation initiatives and improving harmony within communities and families. Project Cost: AU$112,500

Wholistic Community Development Program
The Wholistic Community Development Program seeks to empower local Christians to respond to the physical, social, spiritual and environmental needs of their communities. The staff train and assist Christian Core Groups to analyse community needs and implement projects which create access to reliable food sources, safe water and sanitation. The project ensures that local communities are involved in their own development, and that their ability to address development issues is built through the process. Project Cost: AU$45,000

Indonesia

Mentawai Islands Earthquake Response and Recovery
On October 25 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of the Mentawai Islands. Since then, our partner organisation CFK, has been assisting those most affected by the disaster. This project aims to assist community leaders in the rebuilding of the new village, increasing access to health services, improving water, sanitation and hygiene and developing organic and self-sustainable FAITH gardens in villages and schools to promote nutrition and food security. Project Cost: AU$135,000

Timor Leste

Triloka Community Health Project
The Triloka Medical clinic in Baucau district serves six villages without access to any other health services. The clinic provides direct medical services, emergency help and assistance with referrals to the district hospital. The project has established a mobile clinic to provide maternal and child health services to remote rural communities in the district. Additionally, exciting community education programs addressing maternal health, disease prevention, hygiene, nutrition, and care for the environment have begun. A small pilot project in water and sanitation was also established to address the preventative health needs of the communities. Project Cost: AU$108,000

Solomon Islands

South Seas Evangelical Church
This project aims to reduce water borne disease through improved health and hygiene education. Community development committees will be trained so they have a good understanding of the requirements of a sustainable livelihood (for example, hygiene, community relationship, and community resources management). Women will take a key role in this initiative, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and that collective decisions are made. Project Cost AU$240,000

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