Laos

A Laotian student learns weaving in the Global Mission-supported Donkoi Center that works with children, youth and women who are at risk of being exploited because of poverty and lack of education.

• less duplication of effort and costs
• more access to operational, on-the-ground expertise
• access to places where there are few or no Lutherans
• stronger, more effective ministry.

In Laos, the ELCA works with the Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief and Church World Service.

The Lutheran World Federation

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a  global communion of 140 churches (including the ELCA) and 68 million people that is grounded in a common faith that provides space for Lutherans from around the world to share joys, challenges, and expertise as they seek the healing of the world. ELCA World Hunger funds help support the Department for World Service (DWS), the LWF’s relief and development arm, and the Department for Mission and Development (DMD), which focuses on holistic ministries through which the church participates in God’s mission to all creation.

ELCA World Hunger funds help support the work of LWF Department of World Service in Laos through the following focuses:

• emergency response
• capacity building for community-based organizations
• promotion of sustainable development

Lutheran World Relief

The ELCA also works in Laos through Lutheran World Relief (LWR). A ministry of the ELCA, LWR is a U.S.-based agency that works with community-based partners in 50 countries. ELCA World Hunger funds help support the work that focuses on:

• Helping churches respond to the devastating impacts of HIV/AIDS in their communities by training church members to provide home care and counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS
• Assisting families of people living with HIV/AIDS with income generation through micro-finance and business training opportunities, crop diversification, and marketing strategies
• Educating communities on the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS using media outlets such as radio, television, and educational theater.

Church World Service

In addition, ELCA funds support Church World Service (CWS), which works in Laos. Supported by 36 denominations, including the ELCA, CWS is a U.S.-based ecumenical organization that works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world.