One Parish, One Book

Summer Event

When we offer our hearts, our money and our time to a worthy mission, we want assurance that what we give will make a difference in the lives of those in need.

We hope most of the gift will go to the intended recipients rather than to administrative costs, and that it certainly will not be diminished by waste or corruption.

These are concerns that the St. Luke’s Isaiah Team has seriously considered throughout its support of the Ember Project in Kenya.

But what about aid to Africa on a broader scale?

Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo has created a firestorm of controversy with her recent book Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There is a Better Way for Africa. The Harvard- and Oxford-educated Moyo claims that aid fosters dependency and, rather than reducing poverty, inhibits long-term economic development.

Her critics counter that her views are simplistic and poorly researched. Others find her arguments persuasive, however, citing evidence of corruption and the growth in poverty despite billions of dollars in aid. Still others urge that attention be focused on increasing effectiveness rather than on the failures.

So… Can aid help? Can it be made more effective? Is there a moral imperative for rich countries to help those that are poor? Where do non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and donors like you and me fit into this puzzle?

St. Luke’s Isaiah Project Outreach Team invites you to join us this summer for a “One Parish, One Book” event.

As we ramp up for a second year of funding school uniforms and health care for grandparent-led families through the Ember Project in Kenya, let us engage these difficult questions together.

Two events are scheduled for August:

Participants who sign up for the August 13 dinner discussion will be notified of time and location. Several other events are also planned for September.

All you need to do is sign up for your preferred date below and then read the book.

(If you order your book through one of the Amazon.com links on this page, St. Luke’s will get a portion of the proceeds.)

Other Outreach Opportunities

We are looking for interested folk to join the Outreach Team. Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness, interest and excitement about Ember Kenya within the parish and the wider community, in support of our fundraising for uniforms/education and healthcare in Funyula.

This will be accomplished through onsite and offsite educational opportunities including:

Other possibilities are limited only by our collective talents and interests!

If you would like to join the fun with Gloria Hopewell, Deb Morrison, Birch Burghardt, Jennifer Baladad-Widd (and Malynn Genevieve), Martha O’Carroll, and Okwy Okeke—or would like to get more information—contact Gloria Hopewell.