Revision 98405826 of "Christ the Healer Project" on enwiki

{{Orphan|January 2007}} 


== What is Christ The Healer Project?   ==
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'''Christ The Healer Project''' was founded in 2004 when Father Matthias visited the UK for the second time. After hearing about the work that was being achieved in Aliwal Diocese of South Africa, a number of people began to support Father Matthias in enskilling him in numerous ways that would aid his work. For instance he was trained in the use of powerpoint and preparing programmes. Group members also helped to produce video presentations. We began to develop a Website to support his work. Members have designed and produced Christmas cards and Window transfers to raise funds. Most of our fundraising comes from personal donations and sponsored events.

An organisation, based in the West Midlands was formed in mid 2004, the representative in the UK is Jim Meehan, formerly a Religious Education teacher at St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Erdington. Father Matthias has built up a very close relationship with the pupils and staff of St. Edmund Campion and they have been responsible for a number of projects that have supported Father Matt in his work. 


== Who does the Project support? ==


The Project is a support group for the Youth alive programme based in the Transkei region of South Africa 
Youth Alive is directed by Fr. Matthias Nsamba, the Diocesan Youth Chaplain of Aliwal Diocese 
The programme supports young people to live positive lifestyles 
Deepens their commitment to Christ who invites them to choose life in its fullness.



== The Facts ==
Transkei is still recovering from decades of Apartheid, the systematic disenfranchising and discrimination against Black South Africans 

In the 1960’s the Xhosa people of this Aliwal region had their farming land seized and were forced under Apartheid to settle on poor farming land. This land is not arable and does not support livestock, and so is not self supporting 

The infrastructure of the region is still weak. 

South Africa is still a nation of opposites. Most of its people live in conditions we would recognise as Third World 

In the Transkei region where the Youth Alive Programme is based the average monthly income for a family is £50 

The migrant labour system still operates where parents work hundreds of miles away from their children ,most families are only united at Christmas 

The worst effect of Apartheid has been the undermining of the traditional family life of the Xhosa and Sotho people of the Transkei. Children often fend for themselves or if lucky are reared by grandparents. 

Crime is rife, alcoholism common and drug abuse out of control. 

Young people rarely finish school and have no local job prospects . 

In this climate promiscuity is common and HIV/AIDS is out of control.

SOUTHERN AFRICA has a devastating HIV/AIDS Pandemic. 

In the Transkei up to 35% of young people are HIV positive 

1 in 3 pregnancies are HIV positive 

The rate of infection is rising sharply not decreasing