Pictures tell a thousand words.
This summer World Renew offers a gallery of images from nine countries, giving you a close up look at communities engaged in the work of renewal and building resilience.
PHOTO TOP: Louise, one of ten local agriculture technicians being trained to improve food security in the hills above Leogane, shows off the trees that were planted in 2012-13. She reminds us, "With patience, trees will grow." PHOTO CREDIT: Leanne Talen Geisterfer
Volunteer promoters from the neighborhood of Reparto David Andino in Chinandega have worked with neighbors to develop a community plan. PHOTO CREDIT: Leanne Talen Geisterfer
TWO PHOTOS ABOVE: Staff of Integral members and their partners participated in a workshop based on the book "Disasters and the Local Church" to prepare church leaders in disaster preparation and mitigation. PHOTO CREDIT: Leanne Talen Geisterfer
The book "Desastres y la Iglesia Local" was translated to Spanish through the efforts of Integral members in Central America (Tearfund, World Renew, and MAP, plus MCC as an integral "friend"). The workshop was developed so church leaders would know how to use the content of the book with their congregations. This workshop included 12 staff from World Renew and partners. The workshop was repeated the following week in Guatemala.
PHOTO LEFT: Volunteer promoters from the neighborhood of Reparto David Andino in Chinandega have worked with neighbors to develop a community plan. PHOTO CREDIT: Leanne Talen Geisterfer
PHOTO RIGHT: A young boy shows a map he drew of his community during a project evaluation with World Renew partner Association for Christian Youth. PHOTO CREDIT: HaEun Nam
Volunteer promoters from the neighborhood of Reparto David Andino in Chinandega have worked with neighbors to develop a community plan. PHOTO CREDIT: Leanne Talen Geisterfer
The promoters have made a map of the community, recorded a history of important dates in the community, and worked with residents to establish priorities and a development plan. They mentor at-risk youth in organized Impact Clubs, so they stay off the streets and get involved in positive community projects. These promoters love their neighborhood and the changes that are happening.
Deacons of the CRC in Proyecto Velásquez prepare the ground for a community garden. (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
World Renew staff member, Sadoc Aguilar facilitates an analysis of who participates in decision making in the community of San Juan Acul. The process started with community members creating a matrix on the grass (by the table). The results of that matrix were copied onto paper for community analysis. (GUATEMALA)
Looking out to the sea from the hills above Leogane, the need for reforestation and soil conservation efforts is obvious. (HAITI)
In the dry hills above Leogane, Haiti, tree seedlings require a lot of attention. Water is a scarce commodity in this area and those who care for the nursery need to haul water from sources at distances of .5 to 2 kilometres. (HAITI)
Louise, one of ten local agriculture technicians being trained to improve food security in the hills above Leogane, shows off the trees that were planted in 2012-13. These trees were planted as part of the livelihoods program of the World Renew's response to the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. (HAITI)
The local agriculture technicians from 10 communities in the hills above Leogane meet regularly to report on the activities of their community and participate in practical training in a demonstration plot. To retain humidity of the soil, plants are covered with mulch. (HAITI)
José Calmo, director of World Renew's partner APIDEC in the Peten region of Guatemala, observes the new variety of beans planted in the community of Valle Nuevo, Sayaxche. (GUATEMALA)
World Renew staff member Lunise listens as the development promoters of the CRC-DR share their ideas about community change. (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)