Diaconia in the City – Diaconia in the urbanizing society – The social responsibility project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia

Launched in 2005, the programme aims to improve living conditions for the poor in the Southern African country of Namibia. By offering high-quality social services, the project endeavours to meet the needs of the poor people in the cities. Combined with the changing values of society and various health and social problems, the rapid population growth in urban areas has presented the church in Namibia with a new set of challenges.

The main partner in the project is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), which is responsible for the implementation of the programme. ELCIN is the leading and most influential church in Namibia with a strong following among the people at the grass-roots level. Various religious and other organizations are involved in the project in addition to the main partner. The programme focuses on the poor and densely populated urban areas and slums in Namibian cities. The target group for the programme consists of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, including poor people in danger of becoming marginalized and who need immediate social support and assistance.

The programme aims to support the human and administrative capacity for diacony and societal development of the ELCIN through education and training. New approaches to diaconia work are developed by planning, implementing, and assessing pilot projects in the various communities. The projects are particularly aimed at orphans, young people, the HIV-positive and those who have already contracted AIDS. Another goal is strengthening regional and international cooperation and partnership between the various partners and other churches and organizations.  Development work involves battling for the duration of the project against various social problems, such as poverty, unemployment, urbanization, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Basic data on the project