PART OF THE BODY FY 2011 ANNUAL REPORT INTERNATIONAL AID

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "PART OF THE BODY FY 2011 ANNUAL REPORT INTERNATIONAL AID"

Scott Byrd
6 years ago
Views:

1 PART OF THE BODY FY 2011 ANNUAL REPORT INTERNATIONAL AID

2 1 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. I Cor. 12:14, 26 In I Corinthians 12:12-26, the Apostle Paul outlines the famous metaphor of Christ s church as a body. He explains that, while there is one body of believers, it is made up of many different members. The individual members have different spiritual gifts and roles, yet these differences make each member essential to the overall success of the body. Therefore, the perfectly functioning body (or church) is one where its unique members work in unity. At International Aid, we have a very similar view of how Christian relief work should function. We have found that, for our nonprofit organization, the most efficient and effective way to get relief into the hands of those who need it is through the partnership of unique members. Please allow me to explain: MANY MEMBERS: THE NEED FOR PARTNERSHIP When it comes to relief work, there are many players involved. On one side, you have socially conscious individuals, churches, foundations and organizations that provide the funds and aid for Christian relief work. These are the members that give monetary donations, assemble hygiene kits, donate health products and provide medical equipment so that suffering may be alleviated. Without these members, we do not have the means to effectively respond to disease, poverty and disaster. On the other side, you have ministries and humanitarian organizations that are on the ground in the areas of greatest need. These members have immersed themselves in the cultures they work in, and have established reputable clinics, hospitals and/or distribution systems that ensure the aid they receive effectively addresses the need for which the aid was sent. Without these members, we are unaware of how to

3 best supply aid and are unable to effectively serve the poor. ONE MEMBER: INTERNATIONAL AID International Aid is also an essential member of the body of organizations that makes up Christian relief work. Our 23 employees and numerous volunteers work together to procure, package, recondition, place and ship the medical equipment and health products that are donated by individuals, churches and organizations. With the goal of equipping servants worldwide, we are always identifying effective nonprofits and are in constant communication with those in the field so that we know how to best serve them. We are the link that connects the product and medical equipment donors with the members in the field that are seeking their product. Last year alone, over 300 ministries and humanitarian organizations received aid from International Aid. ONE BODY: CHRISTIAN RELIEF WORK These members the donors, the ministries on the ground and our organization make up the body that is International Aid s model of Christian relief work. Because of these partnerships, thousands of people have been helped. It is through these partnerships that International Aid was able to ship over $116 million of aid during FY2011 (July 1, June 30, 2011). Together, these partners in ministry from a child in West Michigan who donates one dollar to the aid worker who gives a vitamin to a child in Liberia and all the members in between are what make our work possible. Before this report shows you how International Aid has been a part of the body in our nation, in our world and in the face of disaster, I wanted to mention a significant change in our organization in the past year. In April 2011, David Wisen stepped down as President/CEO of 2

4 3 International Aid and resigned his position on International Aid s board. You may recall from last year s report that David and his wife, Kristen, discovered International Aid while looking for a building in which to put a church in November After seeing the amount of aid International Aid was moving even though they were supposed to close their doors in just a few short weeks, David and Kristen felt called to save this ministry before continuing to establish a church. He agreed to come on as President/CEO of the organization with the full intent of stepping down eventually to pursue his calling to be a pastor. Within a year s time, International Aid was once again on solid financial footing, had refocused its ministry and was shipping record amounts of aid to the field. In November 2010, David and Kristen launched their church and by April David was immersed in full-time ministry. Since this was his plan all along, he resigned his position so he could devote himself to the church. The church now offsets some of our operating costs by leasing space from International Aid, and we rejoice that our building has been used in the past year to both meet needs worldwide and bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I am continuously humbled by how God has provided for this organization, and praise Him for bringing together the members that make this ministry possible. All glory goes to Him! One in Christ, Brian Anderson President/CEO

5 A FOCUSED MINISTRY WHO WE ARE 5 WHAT WE DO 7 MULTIPLYING DONATIONS 9 ACCOUNTS OF FAITHFULNESS IN OUR NATION 11 IN OUR WORLD 15 IN THE FACE OF DISASTER 19 MINISTRY BY NUMBERS STATISTICS 27 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS 29 LEADERSHIP 4

6 5 WHO WE ARE International Aid is a Christian nonprofit relief ministry that seeks to tangibly demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering. This is accomplished through the distribution of life-saving medicines, hygiene products, nutritional supplements and reconditioned medical equipment to hundreds of ministries and humanitarian organizations serving in areas of greatest need. OUR MISSION International Aid exists to be used by God to provide relief in the crisis and to equip missions engaged in the process of rebuilding and developing God-glorifying relationships. OUR MOTIVATION International Aid s primary desire is to bring glory to Jesus Christ. We believe it is our calling as a Christian relief ministry to both meet the needs of the least of these (Matthew 25) and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28). We are fueled by this calling to equip God s servants with the tools they require to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those they are serving. OUR CORE VALUES We are Christian. We are committed to excellence. We are transparent. We are faithful stewards. We forge and value partnerships.

OUR HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS 1980 - International Aid is incorporated and sends 20,000 lbs of aid to families in war-torn Southern Lebanon.

7 OUR HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS International Aid is incorporated and sends 20,000 lbs of aid to families in war-torn Southern Lebanon American farmers partner with IA to send over 42,000 lbs of grain to faminestricken Ethiopia IA responds to multiple natural disasters and ships 88.6 metric tons of grain to help feed starving communities in Africa Nineteen shipments of medical equipment/supplies are sent to hospitals in Vietnam, and 22 sea containers of aid are sent to refugees in Bosnia and Croatia IA s Christian Eye Ministry treats over 42,000 patients in Ghana IA reaches out to 170 countries with 431 shipments valued at over $71 million The first class from IA s Medical Equipment Training program graduates in Ghana IA delivers oxygen tanks, burn medications, dust masks, work boots and gloves to NYC following 9/11. They also provide trauma and grief counseling for those affected IA sends five shipments of food, clothing, medicines, supplies, hygiene kits and a portable medical clinic to Afghan refugees IA sends aid to Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the United States following tsunamis and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita International Aid launches the Safe Water initiative with the Plastic Biosand Water Filter International Aid announces that it is ceasing operations due to hard economic times International Aid remains open, restructures and focuses on medical equipment and health products, shipping over $71 million in aid International Aid sets personal ministry record by shipping over $116 million in relief to partners serving the poor worldwide. IN JUST OVER 30 YEARS, IA HAS SENT OVER $1 BILLION OF AID TO AREAS OF GREATEST NEED. 6

7 WHAT WE DO International Aid s two-prong ministry enables us to efficiently and effectively equip those serving the poor, and thus have a maximum impact for Jesus Christ worldwide.

8 7 WHAT WE DO International Aid s two-prong ministry enables us to efficiently and effectively equip those serving the poor, and thus have a maximum impact for Jesus Christ worldwide. These two prongs are International Aid s Health Products Services and Medical Equipment Services. HEALTH PRODUCTS The goal of International Aid s Health Products Services is to direct health products from socially responsible corporations to ministries and humanitarian organizations working in the areas of greatest need. They pride themselves on distributing health products to ministries and nonprofit organizations that help those in need regardless of the patient s race, creed or religion so that they may know the love of Jesus Christ. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT International Aid s Medical Equipment Services repairs, accessorizes and ships critical equipment to our partners in the field. They pride themselves on the fact that their donations are clinically and economically appropriate, sustainable and compatible with the receiving country s power connections.

IA MINISTRY MODEL HEALTH PRODUCTS MANUFACTURERS/DONORS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS/DONORS Manufacturers, hospitals and organizations donate life-saving medical equipment, health products,

9 IA MINISTRY MODEL HEALTH PRODUCTS MANUFACTURERS/DONORS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS/DONORS Manufacturers, hospitals and organizations donate life-saving medical equipment, health products, medicines, nutritional supplements and hygiene products to International Aid. HEALTH PRODUCTS SERVICES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SERVICES International Aid identifies nonprofits and distributes the health products to ministries working in areas of need. International Aid repairs, reconditions and accessorizes the equipment before sending it to ministry hospitals worldwide. INTERNATIONAL AID PARTNERS IN MINISTRY 8

MULTIPLYING CASH DONATIONS It s true at International Aid, we only need $1 to send approximately $100 worth of aid to those who in need all over the world.

10 MULTIPLYING CASH DONATIONS It s true at International Aid, we only need $1 to send approximately $100 worth of aid to those who in need all over the world. In fact, during the 2011 fiscal year, we shipped $123 worth of aid for every dollar donated to us. So how is that possible? Here s how it works: Due to our nonprofit status, many businesses such as prescription medicine companies or medical equipment manufacturers will make donations to our organization out of their surpluses so that their extra products bring relief to those who are suffering as well as tax benefits to their company. These types of donations include prescription medications, over-thecounter medications, hygiene products, nutritional supplements, medical equipment, etc. All of the donated health products are unused, and the medical equipment is usually first or second generation. If any pieces of equipment are in need of repair, we have technicians on staff who recondition the equipment for the mission field. These products are highly needed on the mission field and we receive millions of dollars of them every year. However, we do not have the resources to ship these products to our donors who are waiting for them on the other side of the world. That s where our donors come in. The public donations we receive enable us to ship pallets of life-saving product to the mission field. The cost of enabling us to ship product is significantly lower than the value of the product we are shipping, which means your donation enables us to send expensive health products and medical equipment to organizations who need our products in order to meet the physical needs of those they minister to. It s that simple; when you partner with International Aid, even a small donation can have a huge impact. 9

11 A FOCUSED MINISTRY WHO WE ARE 5 WHAT WE DO 7 MULTIPLYING DONATIONS 9 ACCOUNTS OF FAITHFULNESS IN OUR NATION 11 IN OUR WORLD 15 IN THE FACE OF DISASTER 19 MINISTRY BY NUMBERS STATISTICS 27 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS 29 LEADERSHIP 10

12 PART OF THE BODY IN OUR NATION 11 THANKSGIVING IN ARIZONA In November 2010, International Aid delivered its first frozen food shipment to poor Native American communities in Arizona. A total of 8,064 dinners arrived to the reservation just in time for Thanksgiving. Working with National Relief Charities (NRC), International Aid distributes nutritional products to Native American reservations multiple times a year. We have been able to send shipments of nutritional drinks, food bars, several varieties of vitamins, clothing, over-the-counter medications and various dry nutritional products. However, prior to Thanksgiving 2010, International Aid had not been able to ship frozen food to the reservations. Frozen food is extremely valuable on the reservations because of its high nutritional value and heartier supply of food. However, it is difficult to distribute because of the need to keep it frozen while en route to the reservation. Likewise, many charities cannot accept this type of donation due to an inability to keep large quantities of food frozen. By working through logistics with our donors and our contacts at NRC, International Aid was able to secure a refrigerated trailer to transport the dinners down to the Arizona reservation in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Sending frozen foods was a new opportunity for IA to help the poor

13 and needy in a different aspect, said Deb Null, a member of IA s Health Products Team. The ability to work with NRC directly to the tables of the beneficiaries who had a hot meal on Thanksgiving was truly a blessing! Praise God for orchestrating this opportunity! 12

14 AFFORDABLE CARE IN GRAND RAPIDS It was a Monday morning, and the parents already knew their trip had taken a bad turn. Both children were feeling miserable one with an earache, the other was a stubborn cold and typical remedies weren t working. Being away from home, a visit to their family doctor was out of the question but the high deductible that came with a trip to the emergency room had them in a tough position. On a whim, the family visited the newly-opened West Michigan Urgent Care center in Grand Rapids, Mich. They didn t wait in long lines, they received the healthcare they needed and by visiting the urgent care center rather than the local hospital s emergency room the parents saved themselves over $900. According to Dan Kelsey, it s situations like this one that inspired the establishment of West Michigan Urgent Care. Kelsey, who operates the business arm of West Michigan Urgent Care, said the nonprofit seeks to alleviate the overcrowded emergency rooms of local hospitals while enabling low income families to avoid high deductibles for ailments that require prompt attention but are not lifethreatening. This goal is accomplished by offering quality medical care with low co-pays. But how is this possible? Kelsey said low deductibles were made possible by three key business 13

15 decisions: emphasizing cost-effective business practices, working with local independent physicians and partnering with International Aid. [International Aid] contributed greatly to our mission, Kelsey said. It really helped us get off the ground. By working with International Aid, Kelsey was able to receive high-quality medical equipment at a greatly reduced price which then enabled the clinic to provide medical care a lower cost. International Aid provided the clinic with exam tables; exam lights; nebulizers; suture, staple and stitch removal kits; stethoscopes; blood pressure tools; ear and eye diagnostic sets; and other important medical equipment. There is a high demand on the healthcare system, and having an alternative is appreciated, Kelsey said. We re just excited to give back to the Grand Rapids community that has given so much to us. 14

16 PART OF THE BODY IN OUR WORLD 15 SAVING LIVES IN UGANDA The Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba in the bishop of the Diocese of Mityana, an area in Uganda where over 520 children had died from malaria in a two-month span. Desperate to empower his people in the war against malaria, Rev. Kaziimba committed to equipping Mityana s clinics with the medical equipment they needed to properly and effectively treat malaria and other ailments. Working with Fellowship Reformed Church in Muskegon, Mich., Rev. Kaziimba turned to International Aid for help. Many of our donors responded to this story with great compassion for the Ugandan people, serving them through generous donations and much-needed prayer. International Aid was able to send Rev. Kaziimba a container of medical equipment and medicines for Mityana s largest clinic, the Buwaata Health Centre. The shipment arrived in Uganda in January Now, 12 months later, we can hardly contain our joy at how God has used the faithfulness of our donors to bring healing and restoration in the country of Uganda. When Rev. Kaziimba visited us this summer, his report on the effectiveness of the medical equipment truly amazed us. He said the high quality of the equipment we sent him prompted the Ugandan

government to invest in the Buwaata Health Centre, both increasing its security and placing government health professionals there to aid in the fight against malaria. But the biggest shock?

17 government to invest in the Buwaata Health Centre, both increasing its security and placing government health professionals there to aid in the fight against malaria. But the biggest shock? While 520 children died in two months in 2010, Kaziimba reported that in the six months since the clinic received aid from International Aid not one child who was brought to the clinic for treatment had died from malaria. In fact, only two or three children in the entire region had passed away since they received our equipment. Kaziimba said that the people of Uganda are very, very grateful to International Aid. Most of our people in that area where International Aid sent support, they don t understand English but when we tell them, These things came from brothers and sisters who love you, they understand that language very well, Rev. Kaziimba said. God bless you and bless you, now and evermore! 16

HOPE IN MONGOLIAʼS BARREN LANDS It s not hard to get sick in Mongolia s Gobi Desert region. The cold climate causes many health struggles for the poor families that live in the area.

18 HOPE IN MONGOLIAʼS BARREN LANDS It s not hard to get sick in Mongolia s Gobi Desert region. The cold climate causes many health struggles for the poor families that live in the area. Dry winds whip across the barren landscape gathering dust and debris, causing the locals to develop lung diseases. Their drinking water is contaminated, causing many of the herders and their families suffer from digestive diseases. Yet, in this area where it is so easy to become sick, it s incredibly difficult to find treatment. People do not have access to an andequate medical service, Mongolian politican Yaichil Batsuuri said. Most people in the area are herders whose families live far away from village centers. According to Batsuuri, many of the desert s herders live dozens of miles away from the nearest village center where a hospital is located. For the sick 17 who travel to the village, they are often left disappointed the majority of the rural village hospitals in the desert do not have the tools needed to properly treat their patients. Village hospitals lack necessary medical labs, and cannot analyze the patients urine and blood, Batsuuri said. The doctor cannot diagnose the patient. Therefore, every lab analysis has to be sent to a hospital in a city center, which is sometimes more than 100 miles away from the Gobi Desert village. Meanwhile, the patients in the desert continue to get sicker and sicker. It is the plight of these people that caused Batsuuri to take action. In 2000, Batsuuri began a nongovernment organization to improve the quality of life for the poor living in rural areas of Mongolia. After its inception, the Dornogobi

step _ by _ step Planning

step _ by _ step Planning step 1 Coordinating a Caregiver Kit Event in five easy steps Your event will help your church or group gain an understanding of the AIDS crisis and give them an opportunity to respond compassionately and