Lutheran World Relief (LWR)

LWR is a non-governmental organization founded in 1945 to respond to the needs of communities devastated by World War II. Since then it has evolved into an agency that works with partners worldwide to respond to emergencies, seek lasting solutions to rural poverty, and work for peace and justice for all. LWR not only responds to emergencies but long after the emergency ceases to make improvements that will make survivors less vulnerable in the future.

 LWR is most active in 35 target countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America focusing on the particular needs of each region such as food and water security program, improving health including HIV/AIDS prevention, support of job training, community development and peace-building efforts, and programs to alleviate poverty and promote social equality and justice.

Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church has committed to support LWR as part of its "Giving Beyond Ourselves" mission and ministry program. The impact of this gift can be best illustrated by the following examples:

   1) Provide carpentry classes for 300 AIDS orphans in Uganda
   2) Immunize 6,000 displaced children in Sudan
   3) Water a herd of 300 goats for a full year in Kenya
   4) Give an alpaca to each of 20 persons in Peru for breeding
   5) Provide tents for emergency shelter for 20 families made homeless after a natural disaster.

God's love for humankind has no boundaries. There is no greater way of serving God than in Christian love that serves neighbors in need. If you would like to learn more about LWR or make an individual contribution to support its program, you can visit its website at www.lwr.org, call 800-597-5972 or correspond by mail to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832.