16th December 2011
Many people have ideas on how to change things for the better. But like running a marathon, getting to the finish line and making ideas a reality takes lots of perseverance, determination and some great encouragement. At Tearfund we recognise the vital role support plays in helping people achieve their ambitions – which is why we’ve set up the Inspired Individuals – an initiative specifically designed to identify, support and resource Christian social entrepreneurs – people whose vision, motivation and passion have the potential to bring about positive social changes in innovative and sustainable ways.
Originally from the UK, Lindsey Pettit emigrated to Cape Town, South Africa with her husband to help plant a church. A few years after experiencing a personal tragedy, she started visiting South African prisons and became moved to help the juvenile offenders there. Lindsey has since set up a literacy and life skills programme for the offenders, and through this is bringing hope and a future to thousands of young people.
Caleb Rukundo left home at the age of seven and grew up on the streets of Kampala, Uganda. He taught himself to read and write and also put himself through education by working on odd jobs at the school. Today he reaches out to homeless children across the city, transforming their lives by giving them hope, a safe place to stay, and a mentor to help guide them.
Dr SaSa grew up in the restricted border state of Chin in Myanmar. Seeing the suffering of the sick, elderly and mothers-to-be who had no access to any form of medical support, he left his village at an early age to get an education. Dr SaSa qualified as a doctor in 2009 and returned to set up a community-based healthcare programme. To date he has trained more than 300 community primary healthcare workers who are providing the only access to primary healthcare for over 150 villages.
These are just three of 40 Inspired Individuals supported by Tearfund for their visionary work with poor communities. Each one has a powerful story to share. Find out more at www.inspiredindividuals.org
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Pray for Lindsey, Caleb, Dr SaSa and all the other inspired individuals – that their transforming work in their communities may continue, and that God will bless their ministries.
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‘Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.’ (1 John 3:18) Thank God for the compassion and motivation of the inspired individuals, that their acts can bring meaningful change to thousands of lives.
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Pray for the communities touched by the work of our inspired Individuals – that they may see God’s hand at work and recognise Jesus as the guiding source behind all change.