FOCUS
Alleviating Hunger
Creating Economic Opportunities
MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
OVERVIEW
Uruguay was once considered the Switzerland of South America, with a thriving industrial sector, a highly educated workforce, and exclusive resorts. But the economic collapse of neighboring Argentina in the late 1990’s shattered the country’s small economy. The Argentine government’s massive withdrawals from Uruguayan banks caused a plunge in the peso and soaring unemployment. Although the economy has improved in recent years, 22% of the population still lives in poverty.
Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the Diocese of Uruguay. Although the Anglican Church has been present in Uruguay since 1844, it took on a new dimension when it became a diocese in 1988. The diocese consists of five parishes and seven missions, and is supported by seven priests, three deacons and one permanent deacon.
Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the diocese to implement the Sower of Seeds program in the community of Villa Felicidad in southern Uruguay. The village and its surrounding area is home to 4,000 people, and children make up 60% of the population.
Unemployment is around 20%. Many families exist on meager incomes and do not have adequate food on a regular basis. Hunger and malnutrition are an everyday reality, and many children are not growing and developing properly.
Alleviating Hunger
Episcopal Relief and Development is preventing chronic malnutrition, especially among children, by helping families increase their food production and opportunities to earn income.
- Gardening workshops, new techniques and tools, and assistance in planting gardens help families grow new sources of food to supplement their diets.
Creating Economic Opportunities
Episcopal Relief and Development is working with the Villa Felicidad community to provide opportunities for families to earn additional income.
- Marketing and entrepreneurship support groups teach families how to sell excess produce and increase their household income.
- Growing and selling medicinal plants provides an opportunity for long-term economic sustainability for families living in small villages.
Our PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
Since the program began in 2006, a total of 360 people have participated in the gardening, nutrition and cooking classes. A greenhouse was built for the gardening classes.
