Ministry Focus
Homes for Orphans
The Judah Foundation's model of Group Homes partnered with a local church is the most effective way to help the orphaned and abandoned children. Four major strengths that contribute to its effectiveness are:
Cultural Sensitivity
The Group Home, which houses eight to twelve children with house parents, provides an atmosphere that closely resembles the African family setting and social context (i.e. a home that blends into the local surroundings, social integration through the church and community and healthy relationships).
Social and Emotional Enrichment
Within the Group Home, the child's close association with a local church allows the members to literally become a surrogate family; the child is more than just another "kid" rescued from the streets. The Group Home child will grow up doing household chores, family devotions and attending school alongside other children in the community. This setting promotes healthy development and not only enhances the child's ability to integrate back into society, but also their ability to successfully contribute in their local environment.
Spiritual Development and Enrichment
More than clothing, shelter, and food, these children deserve to experience the love of Christ in a tangible way. In a Group Home, each child experiences the loving touch of Christ from another human being. The local church and house parents minister to each child at their point of need--prayer, family devotions, discipline, character training, and counseling during times of conflict.
Financial Operation
One of the greatest advantages of the Group Home is its ability to generate recurring revenue. The Judah Foundation provides the funds to build and furnish the home, train the house parents and start up a micro-business (i.e. dairy cows, posho mills, etc.). Once in place, the local church is able to sustain the Group Home and its ministry to the children and community through this established business. This provides the necessary funding for operational expenses and removes the need for continual outside financial support.
AIDS Hopices
Over two-thirds of the world's people infected with HIV live in Sub-Sahara Africa and 83% of all AIDS deaths since the epidemic started have been recorded in that part of Africa. The Judah Foundation addresses this situation at both the child and infant level by establishing AIDS Hospices and partnering with existing hospices across the continent.
Children: For most children the Hospices provides a place of refuge where the dying can experience the compassion, grace and forgiveness of Christ. It is a safe-place where they are surrounded by people who care--instead of suffering alone from the pain of rejection and condemnation. The Hospice becomes a place where they can spend their final moments with a sense of dignity and eternal destiny.
Infants: International health officials state that up to 75% of babies who test HIV+ could revert to non-HIV with proper medical care, nourishment, and a good environment. The problem is most HIV babies are left to die, abandoned along roadsides or in trash dumps. The Hospices for these babies provide the necessary medical care and an atmosphere of love and compassion.
Schools
The Judah Foundation is working in partnership with church leaders to establish schools so that children will no longer be denied a basic education. Utilizing the same model as the Group Homes, the Foundation is able to construct and furnish the schools while integrating the local church and communities' involvement. The church provides the qualified teachers and staff and reaches into the community it serves to meet additional needs. Judah also provides further assistance in the form of additional training and workshops for the teachers.
For more information on how you, your church or your business can be involved in one of the ministries of the Judah Foundation e-mail us at contact@judahfoundation.org, or write to us at:
The Judah Foundation
PO Box 10741
Wilmington, NC 28404
The Judah Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501 (C)(3) corporation. All contributions to the foundation are tax deductible.