Medical and Social Work

Since the beginning of SIM, there has been a special emphasis on medical ministries. That is how in 1947 and 1954 dispensaries were opened in Piela and Mahadaga, which are today medical centers. They first had to gain people’s trust; for the missionaries were bringing medical techniques that people in the villages did not know. Little by little, they managed to prove trustworthy and today they are centres with maternities, pharmacies, etc. Doctors have joined the teams, and we praise the Lord about it. Most of the patients are able to pay their medical fees, but when they cannot, the medical centre pays for them. Otherwise, these people would not even come to the centre to get the treatment they need.

In addition to the medical centres, two handicapped centres were created. First in Mahadaga in 1987 (the Centre for the Advancement of the Handicaped People or CAH) then in Fada in 2015, (the Centre Espoir, literaly Hope Centre).

The French missionary Françoise Pedeau saw the needs of people living with disabilities, and the centres now go into the villages to seek them, welcome them, and offer their help through physiotherapy. The CAH in Mahadaga also hosts a school for visually impaired and deaf kids, so they can go to school as the other children and be integrated into life in the society at large. Once they have finished school, they can learn a trade, tailor, for instance. You can follow the Centre Handicapés en Avant (CAH) on Facebook.

These different centres are channels to share the gospel in an efficient way, first by meeting physical needs, and then to be able to talk about their spiritual ones. Many have come to Christ through these centres.

To support this project, give to the closer SIM office and notate:

Project Nr. 93 279 (for the CAH in Mahadaga) or

Project Nr. 93 941 (for the Centre Espoir de Fada) or

Project Nr. 82 375 (for the Medical Centre in Mahadaga) or

Project Nr. 88 100 (for the Medical Centre in Piéla).

Human trafficking

"Human trafficking," "trafficking in persons" and "modern slavery" are terms all used to describe the forced exploitation and captivity of others. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry that targets the most vulnerable people in our world – refugees, women and children. Currently, there are more people in slavery today than at any other time in history. For periods of a few days up to many years, people are trapped in situations of exploitation and trafficking and are not free to leave.

The risk of human trafficking is very real for many people in the countries and communities where SIM works. SIM is committed to responding to the injustice of trafficking and exploitation and sees this as a natural expression of our discipleship in action. Our mission states that “we cross barriers to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ”; human trafficking is one of the most significant barriers we have to cross for people to be able to hear God’s good news. As we reach out in Jesus name in very practical matters of safety, we lay a path to share the gospel. Protecting the vulnerable and those most at risk of exploitation, creates a safe environment where the gospel can be heard and Christ can be known.

 

(Reference to ILO, 2017)

For Freedom

For Freedom is the anti-trafficking and exploitation ministry of SIM International, responsible for coordinating SIM's global anti-trafficking response, and providing training, support and strategic guidance to SIM workers, local churches and partner ministries around the world.

For Freedom is focused on the prevention of human trafficking and the protection of those most at risk in the 70+ countries SIM works in.

For Freedom believes that at its core, human trafficking is about the exploitation of vulnerability. By addressing core causes of vulnerability, people and communities are kept safe from exploitation and the risk of trafficking.

Isolated, unconnected individuals are at greatest risk of being trafficked. The local community and the local church has a key role in preventing human trafficking by building relationships and caring for the vulnerable in their communities in a multitude of God-inspired ways.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:18-19, NIV

What we do

Equip SIM teams, workers and ministry partners to effectively reach those at risk of exploitation in their unique contexts of ministry.

Empower the church to engage in disciple making with people at risk of trafficking and exploitation in their communities, and to respond with compassion to those who have experienced the trauma of exploitation.

Address trafficking within key ministry areas supporting vulnerable people, including migrant and refugee ministries, women and children ministries, and integrated health ministries.

Actively partner with other organisations responding to trafficking to multiply our efforts.