sim aid aid that gets there
SIM
FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE 1

He suffers from poor nutrition and doesn’t take his antiretroviral medication regularly because it increases his appetite. He is hungry all the time. Despite his weak condition, Edson tills the soil and carries water. He is so eager to learn that he goes to school naked, until a street seller takes pity on him and gives him some mutton cloth to cover himself.
Edson is one of the students who has benefited from SIM
Australia’s Operation Neighbour Care project in Zimbabwe, where an estimated 1.4 million people are living with HIV, 200,000 of them children. That’s over 10% of the population.
Operation Neighbour Care focuses on inspiring and equipping volunteers to work alongside the SIM project team to have a long-term impact in the lives of HIV/AIDS orphans, patients and their families, through the provision of home-based care, education, counselling and microbusiness development in the rural community of Gokwe in Zimbabwe.
Through Operation Neighbour Care, Edson received financial assistance for his education. Now 16 years old, he works hard on his studies and has hope for the future. “I hope and dream that one day there will be a cure for AIDS,” said Edson. “I want to be a doctor. If I can’t be a doctor, I will be a lawyer.”
The Operation Neighbour Care project team are dedicated evangelical Christians with a passion to minister to the poor and the sick in the name of Christ. HIV/AIDS is a major problem across
Zimbabwe and in rural areas like the Gokwe district, the level of unreported infection is far greater than in urban areas. Testing, treatment, care and support for the infected are desperately needed in this district.
MEASURABLE IMPACT
The project has been running since 2010 through a partnership between SIMaid, the aid and development arm of SIM Australia, and a local NGO in Gokwe. From 2010 to 2013, Operation Neighbour
Care has made a significant difference in the lives of HIV/AIDS sufferers.
1,032 people have been assisted with home-based care by a team of 35 volunteers. 14 support groups have been established and are attended by 249 members. Members were provided with seed, fertilisers and insecticides for nutrition gardens. Some of the gardens have begun to generate a small income.
2,176 children (57% girls) received education assistance for their school fees. 677 children received books and 144 children received school uniforms. 47 regular food parcels were distributed. Six support camps were held for the children. 588 children received basic trauma and grief counselling. There has been a noticeable

improvement in the children’s academic performance as a result of the camps. The camps help to empower children against all forms of abuse and gain a solid understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention.
1,473 people learned about HIV/AIDS prevention through workshops and seminars. The school HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum has reached 2,800 children. The project manager reported, “We have enabled hundreds of people to disclose their status and talk openly about AIDS, sex and relationships.”
AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE
Over the next three years the Operation Neighbour Care team have a vision to significantly increase the number of microfinance initiatives. This will have a tremendous impact in the lives of people with HIV/AIDS by enabling them to support themselves through microbusiness. It also has the potential to enable the project to become self-sustainable long term.
Sustainability is an important goal for all SIM projects. Our desire is to partner with the local community from the day a project begins, and to eventually handover the project to locals to run independently.
Operation Neighbour Care microfinance initiatives have increased in volume as a result of a partnership with a local microfinance lender. Participants are given small low-interest or interest-free loans to use to start a microbusiness. As the business makes a profit, the loan is paid back and reloaned to another participant.
Through Operation Neighbour Care, 245 people benefited from microloans for poultry businesses. The majority of participants were poor women, most of them widows, and older orphans who needed to support themselves. Three food processing businesses were started by a group of 18 people living with HIV/AIDS through a loan of US$210.
So far the microbusiness venture has been successful in helping participants improve their economic situation.
FLORENCE’S STORY
Florence is a widow and a faithful volunteer of the Operation
Neighbour Care project. She serves at the drop-in centre in
Gokwe, encouraging and supporting those who visit the centre seeking advice regarding HIV/AIDS.
Florence used a knitting machine SIM brought over from Australia to make dozens of warm winter jumpers for HIV/AIDS orphans supported through the project. Without her help, many of these children would have struggled to stay warm during the cooler months of the year.
This is what Operation Neighbour Care is all about – mobilising the community to care for adults and children impacted by HIV/
AIDS.
You can support people like Florence and Edson by donating to
Operation Neighbour Care right now. This year we hope to raise over $100,000 for this important project. Will you partner with us to bring hope to children and adults with HIV/AIDS in
Zimbabwe?
DONATING TO OPERATION NEIGHBOUR CARE
(Project 90209) is easy and tax-deductible. Simply complete the response form on the back page of this newsletter and return it to
SIM. Alternatively, visit www.sim.org.au/donate or call (02) 9580
1422. Thank you!
HOME BASED CARE: To provide home and communitybased care for those affected by HIV/AIDS
ORPHANS: To meet the basic needs of orphans and vulnerable children while strengthening the support networks of families and communities
PREVENTION: To foster responsible decision making, positive behaviour, and safe and supportive environments in order to reduce the transmission of HIV
ENABLING: To strengthen and encourage partners through capacity building, networking and the provision of resources
INCOME GENERATION: To promote and support sustainable livelihoods for people impacted by HIV /AIDS.
SIM PROJECT FOCUS FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE 1

Kijabe Hospital is a Christian non-profit hospital in Kenya, located about an hour northwest of Nairobi that provides outpatient care to 130,000 people, of whom 8,000 have HIV, and inpatient services including over 10,000 surgeries and over 2,000 births every year.
Built a century ago, today Kijabe Hospital is equipped with nine operating theatres, a modern ICU, dental lab and pathology units.
It not only draws patients from throughout East Africa, it also dispatches 15 mobile clinics to refugee camps along the Kenyan border. The hospital provides sought-after training programs in surgery, family practice, nursing and more.
MEET THE STEERE FAMILY
SIM Australia missionaries, Mardi and Andy Steere, along with their children, Riley and Liam, have been serving in Kenya at
Kijabe Hospital since 2011.
Mardi is a paediatric emergency physician and in 2013, she took on the role of Medical Director of Kijabe Hospital. Andy, has a background in civil engineering and project management and has been assisting the hospital to develop and deliver two critical projects that SIM Australia is supporting this year as priority needs.
Read more about the Steere family via their blog: www.steeres.com
CLEAN WATER PROJECT HINDERED BY MUDSLIDES
One of the projects SIM is partnering with Kijabe Hospital to support is a major initiative to upgrade their water system
(Project 90107). Water usage is expected to double over the next five years and the existing old facilities will not be able to handle this increased demand.
The hospital already regularly experiences water shortages, and the water has to be boiled or filtered to remove bacterial contamination. Kijabe Hospital implemented water restrictions based on a South Australia model used during the 2010 drought and this reduced hospital water usage by 30%, but it was only a temporary solution.
The need for the water upgrade project increased dramatically in April 2013 when devastating mudslides destroyed much of
Kijabe Hospital’s existing pipelines, causing a complete loss of water supply. By God’s grace, the mudslide crisis resulted in the hospital gaining access to disinfected water for the first time.
Water was trucked in by the Government until an emergency water supply was established by laying pipes to connect the hospital to a major water storage dam nearby. This supply is sufficient to meet Kijabe Hospital’s immediate short-term needs.
Since late 2012, Kijabe Hospital has been without any water storage capacity with the exception of small operating tanks.
This means that whenever the water supply is cut off (as it frequently is), the hospital runs out of water within eight hours.
The construction of new water storage tanks is the top priority of the project and preparations are underway to build the first two 600m3 steel tanks. As at November 2013, US$455,410 is needed to fully fund the Kijabe Water Supply Project.
*Donations to the Kijabe water and sanitation projects are tax-deductible.

SANITATION UPGRADE PROJECT ON TARGET
What happens after you flush? It’s not something we like to think about, but if you’ve ever had a blocked toilet or sewage pipe you know all about it! Now imagine for a moment what that might be like to deal with on a hospital-size scale – it would pose a significant health risk to already vulnerable patients.
That’s why SIM considers it a priority to support Kijabe Hospital’s sanitation project (Project 90106) to upgrade its sewage system.
The existing facilities have deteriorated over the years and it’s no longer able to handle the level of wastewater. A complete overhaul of the system is needed and will include new pipes, larger septic tanks, a secondary treatment system and new separate stormwater drainage. The new system will be gravitypowered to ensure it’s sustainable long-term.
Significant progress on the upgrade has already been made!
The first phase of the project was completed in August last year and included 2.4 km of new pipework. The second phase is underway to construct the new waste treatment facilities and is urgently needed to ensure waste is decontaminated before being discharged into the environment.
As at November 2013, US$448,471 is needed to fully fund the sanitation project.
DONATING TO KIJABE WATER & SANITATION
Please consider making a donation to support the Kenya Kijabe
Water 90107 and Kijabe Sanitation 90106 projects. Call (02)
9580 1422 or complete the response form at the back of this newsletter. Donate securely online at www.sim.org.au Thank you!
Bolivia: Water for Vacas Communities 91226
NEW!
30% of rural Bolivians lack access to a safe water (UNICEF). SIM’s
Water for Vacas Communities project aims to improve community health through securing safe water sources and sanitation facilities.
The project focuses on using sustainable low-technology solutions such as protected hand-dug wells, household bio-sand filters and septic or latrine toilets.
Bangladesh: Arsenic Alleviation 98335
This project tests water, subsidises water filters for communities as well as raising awareness of arsenic contamination amongst vulnerable people groups to reduce human suffering due to arsenic contamination in the groundwater, a prevalent issue in Bangladesh.
Ethiopia: Clean Water 92219
Water borne diseases and illnesses related to poor sanitation facilities are prevalent throughout Ethiopia. SIM’s Ethiopia Clean
Water project helps communities in remote areas of Ethiopia to design, build and sustain safe clean sources of drinking water.
SIM PROJECT FOCUS FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE 1

Danja was founded in 1956 by SIM and has had a significant impact in the region. The hospital is now run by The Leprosy Mission in association with SIM and seeks to address the loss of dignity that many people affected by leprosy have experienced.
HOPE TO LEPROSY SUFFERERS
People affected by leprosy are often shunned from their families and communities due to the fear that physical contact will spread the disease. Danja began as a leprosarium to help provide care for leprosy sufferers and to show them the love of Christ. Today, many of the staff at Danja are people who have been cured of leprosy and are now helping others.
Leprosy is a slow growing bacteria that damages nerves, causing patients to lose their sense of touch and strength, mainly in their hands and feet. Because they can’t feel things, they are prone to getting burns and ulcers on their hands and feet which may become infected, and need to be amputated.
Leprosy is a curable disease, but due to poverty and lack of education and access to health services, some Nigerians wait until the disease is very advanced before seeking medical treatment.
The majority of patients cared for at Danja today are people who have finished treatment for leprosy but have chronic wounds or permanent nerve damage or disabilities as a result of the illness.
In 2013 from April to September, Danja provided long-term care for 165 people affected by leprosy and treated 11,056 patients in the dispensary. The hospital has a physiotherapy service for patients with a disability who have been affected by leprosy, helping them to walk with aids and stretch out contracted limbs.
It also provides a range of services to families of leprosy patients including housing, adult literacy and microbusiness projects impacting dozens of individuals and families every year.
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
Danja Hospital partners with SIM Niger and local churches to provide opportunities for patients to hear the Gospel message.
Its vision is to minister to the whole person, following the example of Jesus Christ who “Preached, healed and taught…” (Matthew
4:23).
This ministry is having an impact in the lives of people from the
Hausa and the Fulani unreached people groups. Many former patients are a living testimony to the impact of Danja as they now serve God among their own people as teachers, pastors, evangelists, farmers and traders.
SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES
Danja has 500 acres of land and its long-term goal is to become self-supporting. One of the ways it’s hoping to achieve this is by investing in a flock of sheep which will be fattened and sold for a profit. If successful, after the first year the enterprise will become a self-sustaining source of revenue for the hospital.
Your contribution to this project will help support the ministry of Danja Hospital so its staff can continue to provide quality treatment and rehabilitation to people affected by leprosy in
Niger.
You can help expand the work of Danja Hospital and it’s ministry to the whole community by making a gift to Danja Leprosy Health
Centre Project 86775.*
*Gifts to Danja Hospital are not tax deductible because they provide for the work of evangelism, Bible translation, Christian leadership development, theological training etc. These purposes are not accepted by the Australian Tax department for tax deductibility.
SIM and its partners are committed to working in a way that will impact the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the people we serve. There are endless opportunities to make a difference with your skills and experience within
SIM’s diverse ministries and projects. Here are a few of the roles available in Niger:
Agricultural Development Trainer
Doctors/Surgeons
Physiotherapist /Occupational Therapist
Primary School Teachers
Sports/Youth Worker
Midwife
For more opportunities in Niger or around the world, visit: www.sim.org.au/opportunities/cc/ne

Dear friends
Happy New Year and welcome to our new-look SIM Project Focus newsletter (formerly Imagine). SIM Australia supports over 90 projects around the world. This newsletter will continue to feature the latest news, reports and inspiring stories from a wide range of SIM projects.
Last year SIM celebrated our 120th anniversary as an international organisation. An organisation which grew from the vision and sacrifice of three young men who travelled to Africa to pioneer mission work in the Sudan. Today SIM has 1,600 missionaries operating in over 60 countries around the world. Last year SIM
Australia partnered with 113 missionaries and we hope to see this number grow to 135 by 2016.
We give thanks to God for providing $6.2 million in ministry income for our fiscal year (Oct 2012 to Sep 2013).
Thank you for your partnership with SIM Australia and for the vital role you play in transforming lives! Your faithful support enables us to minister to human in countries like Kenya, Niger and
Zimbabwe with fantastic projects like the ones you’ve read about in this issue.
Please consider how you could partner with us to help support these valuable initiatives. If you would like more information about
SIM projects, please contact our
Partner Relations team partner.relations@sim.org.au
Omar Djoeandy
Executive Director
Missionary Support
Projects
4,082,598
2,157,848
Administration
Promotion/Fundraising
*For a copy of our audited financial statements,
contact partner.relations@sim.org.au
748,283
559,387
Ministry Expenditure 79%
Admin/Fundraising Expenditure 21%
H2Only
Having access to clean water is something we take for granted – it flows from our taps every day. But for communities in Kenya and Bangladesh, every drop from their taps must be filtered and decontaminated.
Saturday 22 March is World Water Day. You can help raise awareness and funds to provide clean water by taking our 7-Day H2Only challenge from 16 to 22 March.
Turn water into dollars for SIM Clean Water projects!
It’s easy – all you have to do is drink only water for 7 days. Replace your favourite soft drink, juice, energy drink or alcoholic beverage with tap water and donate the money you save to one of SIM’s Clean Water Projects.
The money you raise will help provide clean water to an impoverished community – and it’s all tax-deductible. For more information visit: www.sim.org.au/clean-water or email partner.relations@sim.org.au
SIM PROJECT FOCUS FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE 1

 Please email me SIM Projects monthly enews
 Please mail me SIM Mission Together magazine
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I will PRAY
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I will GO
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I will GIVE
PROJECT - Tax deductible
Zimbabwe: Operation Neighbour Care Priority Project
Kenya: Kijabe Hospital Water
Ethiopia: Clean Water
Where Most Needed
Priority Project
Kenya: Kijabe Hospital Sanitation Priority Project
Bangladesh: Arsenic Alleviation
Bolivia: Water for Vacas Communities NEW!
PROJECT - Non tax deductible
Danja Centre for Health
OTHER
Project Number
90209
90107
90106
98335
91226
92219
68011
Project Number
86775
$
$
$
$
Total
$
$
$
$
$
$
Amount
$
$
TOTAL
*All donations to SIM projects will receive a receipt. SIM Australia will use gifts to meet the needs of the projects specified. Should a project raise funds in excess of its target, we will apply it to similar projects where most needed.
MY DETAILS
Donor Number (if known)
First name
Address
Suburb
Phone Email
Title Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss / Dr / Rev
Surname
State Postcode
MY GIFT
Please debit my:  Visa  Mastercard  Amex
Name on card Signature
Card no. / / / Expiry /
Please make all cheques payable to SIM Australia.
SIM Australia facilitates missionaries from anywhere to everywhere, working in a diverse range of ministries. SIMaid is the aid and development arm of SIM Australia, and as such seeks to follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ in offering practical help to communities in poverty. SIMaid directs resources into sustainable aid and development projects in partnership with local communities to empower them to live with dignity and hope.
Contact Details
PO Box 42, Penshurst NSW 2222 www.sim.org.au
(O) 02 9580 1422 (F) 02 9580 1477 (E) partner.relations@sim.org.au
SIM Australia ABN 46 002 679 441
SIMaid ABN 43 484 030 223
PFN141 sim aid aid that gets there
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