Welcome to Global Health Ministries' homepage! This site is intended to serve as a resource for Lutheran health care work overseas. Please feel free to explore and learn more about how YOU can make a meaningful difference throughout the world. If you have a specific question about Global Health Ministries, please e-mail us at ghmoffice@cs.com. Click here to read our Policy Statement on Donor Information.

GiveMN.org "Give to the Max Day" - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Give to the Max Day is a giving stimulus plan created to increase giving to non profits across Minnesota on November 17, 2009. The Saint Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation and Bush Foundation have committed $500,000 in matching contributions to support community needs in Minnesota and to cover transaction fees so that 100% of all donations go to the nonprofit organizations. Global Health Ministries is registered with GiveMN.org and you can make a donation and take advantage of this generous offer. To read more about this one day event, click here. To donate to GHM through GiveMN.org and double your donation on Tuesday, November 17, click here. Thank you!

GHM Shipment is Good News to Troubled Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is facing a severe crisis, with a cumulative 50% decline in GDP over the last decade and a world record hyperinflation of over 231 million percent. Over 85% of the population is unemployed, and 90% are subsisting below the poverty population is infected with HIV/AIDS, and 3,500 people are dying weekly as a result of related illnesses. Life expectancy is lowest in the world (34 years for men, 32 for women). In response to this situation, GHM, in partnership wtih the ELCA, sent a 40' container with basic medical supplies, furnishings, and equipment in support of the four mission hospitals owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ). Read more about this exciting project and story in the November - December Newsletter.

CAR Update: The Walls are Going Up!
With President Andre Golike of the Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic officiating, the March cornerstone-laying ceremony and community celebration afterwards said much about how the new Gallo Health Center inspires the hopes and prayers of the regions’ people. Hundreds came for the celebration, and together, Muslim and Christian clergy and their congregants gathered for prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Health services can be an instrument of peace and community-building, and with thanks to God, we can see that story being retold at Gallo. All around the Gallo region there is excitement because now the construction is 2/3 finished, and the people can see that the walls are going up! Read more about this exciting project and others in the September - October Newsletter.

Campaign for Hospice Kits Continues
When news of the spreading HIV/AIDS pandemic began to break years ago, Global Health Ministries provided seed money to start-up one of the first in-home hospice programs in Africa. Later, mission hospital physicians and nurses were consulted to develop a hospice kit. An invitation was sent to GHM supporters around the nation to prepare and send the new kit, and the response was outstanding. Today, ELCA missionary Dr. Kristopher Hartwig leads an effort by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania to expand hospice programming to all twenty ELCT hospitals. He has requested 5000 hospice kits from GHM to support services to the growing numbers cared for by this program. Please support the campaign by sending hospice kits for our shipments, or by contributing the $5.00/kit it costs to send the kit and finance medications and training. GHM Project #79PC-S0003.

For more information about the contents of the kit and its preparation, click here.
For a detailed presentation on Dr. Hartwig's challenging and inspiring program, click here.
To view a short film about the program and those served, click here.
To review the annual report of the program, click here.

Meet the Challenge, Help Change the World
You know these are difficult economic times for many in America. You also know the healthcare needs in developing nations remain urgent. But did you know that incredibly generous donations of supplies and equipment continue to flow into the GHM warehouse?

Requests for assistance have also been received, so far enough to fill 20 containers to be sent to 8 countries. Supplies are flowing in, requests have been received, volunteers stand ready to sort and pack. We lack one thing. Shipping costs will come to $267,000. Funds promised thus far are $60,500. (Download Brochure)

In order to help the hands that heal, we must secure an additional $206,500 by October to ensure the supplies and equipment we have received can be shipped to the caregivers and hospitals who are awaiting their arrival. Please consider a gift to help us meet the challenge, help us change the world.
Rev. Lamont M. Koerner, Associate for Fund Development

Charity Navigator Award

For the seventh consecutive year, Global Health Ministries has received a 4-star rating from Charity Naviagator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization excels, as compared to other charities in America, in successfully managing the finances of your organization in an efficient and effective manner.This consistency in your rating is an exceptional feat, especially given the economic challenges many charities have had to face in the last year. To learn more about Charity Navigator and GHM's profile, please click here.

Anosy Villages Integrated Actions (AVIA) Development Program
The Lutheran Church in Madagascar operates one of the largest health care systems supported by Global Health Ministries: 8 hospitals, 22 health centers and 14 clinics. GHM finances numerous project and all shipments of medical supplies and equipment to Madagascar in collaboration with SOA (Salfa Overseas Assistance), with total annual grants and allocations averaging nearly $130,000 over each of the last five years for such projects as Rural Clinic Support, SEFAM (School of Nursing), Continuing Education and Residencies, Pharmacotherapy services for the mentally ill, purchase of equipment and vehicles. Click here to learn more.

GHM Videos Online
GHM videos are now online! Helping the Hands that Heal, When you Volunteer, and We Can Give Hope.

Thrivent Matching Program Makes Your Gift Grow Even More!
Thrivent policy holders’ gifts to GHM may be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. $600.00 or more per year per policy holder will be matched with $300.00 by Thrivent. Donations above the $600.00 to GHM per year per policy holder will not be matched by Thrivent but are equally appreciated by GHM. Click here to learn more.

If you are looking for brochures for the hands-on projects, please click on the following links: rolled bandages, midwife kits, hospice kits, baby blankets, and baby cap instructions.