China–Sichuan Theological Seminary in Chengdu — Western contributes annually by providing scholarship funds for seminarians. The Seminary was founded in 1984 by the Christian councils of Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan to train ministers for churches in the southwestern region of China. The seminary also conducts training for grassroots church volunteers. China faces an urgent need for trained clergy. Sichuan is one of only 18 Protestant seminaries for all of China. Nearly half of the Sichuan graduates belong to minority groups who have returned to their villages to fulfill an important role as Christian leaders.
Columbia, Rev. Alice Winters — Rev. Winters teaches Bible and biblical languages in the School of Theology of the Reformed Univeristy of Columbia. The University seeks to integrate all theological studies in the context of the social and economic situation in Latin America. Rev. Winters is active in the Ecumenical Network of Churches and Christian Organizations for Human Rights and in working with displaced persons in the area of Barranquilla, where she lives. Western also provides funds for scholarships to the University and for the support of its library.
Republic of Congo, Bibanga Presbyterian Hospital — Founded over 90 years ago, this hospital sees over 15,000 out-patients and 3,500 in-patients annually. It operates as part of the health ministry of the Communaute Presbyterienne au Congo. A four-year nursing school was established in 1982. It also provides supervision for a sanatorium and a leprosy camp of about 40 families and is the referring hospital in a wide ranging community health program.
Ethiopian Health Clinic, Dukem — Western is providing primary funding and support to build a health care facility in Dukem, Ethiopia. The mission of the clinic is to offer prenatal care and to provide basic and preventive health care for women and children. The clinic will also treat patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This project grows out of our longtime relationship with the Gospel Light Ministries, serving the spiritual and physical needs of Ethiopians at home and abroad.
Oikocredit — Today one of the largest financiers of the microfinance sector worldwide, Oikocredit is one of the few ethical investment funds. Oikocredit encourages investors to invest funds in a socially responsible manner. Its loans are channeled through a network of offices spread over Latin America, Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe. 60 percent of Oikocredit's outstanding capital goes to microfinance institutions. Additional finances go to small and medium-sized enterprises involved in agriculture, trade, services and manufacturing. Oikocredit gives loans instead of donations. This is based on the view that when it comes to achieving economic productivity and self-reliance, loans are a more effective instrument than grants. Western invests in Oikocredit's loan fund and also supports its operating fund.
South Africa , Janet Guyer — Janet is the East and Southern African Coordinator for Presbyterian AIDS Action. She works with partner churches in several countries to broaden and deepen their response to HIV/AIDS in their communities. Western also provides funds earmarked for community based orphan care programs. By 2010, one third of Africa's children will be orphaned, one of the tragic consequences of the HIV/AIDS crisis there. The community care programs provide basic needs including food, clothing, education and medical care.
IRAG — IRAG provides assistance to Iraqi refugees in Jordan with the following particular focuses: to gather information and provide advice concerning resettlement opportunities to families of all backgrounds; to provide study opportunities for refugee children of all backgrounds; to provide support for families who have suffered particular trauma and uncertainty and who have little means of support; to relate to the Chaldean Christian community in Jordan whose approximately 10,000 members are largely unable to support themselves with help of food, trauma awareness training, and immigration advice. We learned of this organization from a member of the congregation who was working in Jordan.