New Partner: Vietnam Homes

3/22/2017

In partnership with SOMEDCO, we build sturdy houses for families living in extreme poverty in Vietnam and share the gospel with them.

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,
and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11

our ministry partner

Socio-Medical Committee (SOMEDCO) is a social arm of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam in Saigon. It is operated by a lead pastor, an executive group, a consultant group, and collaborators.

The Mission

SOMEDCO partners with local churches to follow Jesus Christ in working with the poor and vulnerable people. SOMEDCO promotes transformation and bears witness about the Good News of the Kingdom of God to them. They pursue this mission through these holistic commitments:

Transformational development that is community-based and sustainable, focused on the actual needs
Emergency relief that assists people afflicted by the disaster
Upholding justice that seeks to defend the poor whom we serve
Partnerships with the local church to contribute to spiritual and social transformation
Public awareness that leads to informed understanding, giving, involvement, and prayer
Witness to Jesus Christ by life, deed, and word that encourages people to respond to the Gospel

Principles

Most needy cases come first
Serving both believers and non-believers
Emphasizing self-reliance: “Giving fishing rods instead of giving fish.”
Encouraging grassroots contribution to projects
Local churches directly implement projects
All for glorifying God

Selection of Project Sites

Every year SOMEDCO concentrates its projected operations in a few chosen provinces on a need-based basis. Depending on benefactors’ specific wishes and available resources, there are projects of various types and scopes. Priority is given to provinces or areas which have existing SOMEDCO task forces at the provincial, city, and local church levels.

housing for the poor

Many Christian and non-Christian families in remote areas live in dilapidated and makeshift houses made of earth, bamboo, thatch, or canvas, which offer scant protection from the elements. Building new houses for the families helps the local church connect with the communities and expand the kingdom in Vietnam. The local church manages all the house building projects and is intentional about developing relationships with the community to show the love of Christ.

Makeshift houses offer scant protection from the elements.

The housing project provides subsidized houses for these poor families. It costs $3,000-$5,000 USD to build a basic house made of sturdier materials: brick (walls), corrugated tole (roof), cement or tile (floor). SOMEDCO provides a $1,500 subsidy toward each house. The remainder is provided for by the locals (beneficiaries, relatives, neighbors, local church, and even government.) Each house is around 28-30 square meters, but each one is unique, based on the family's contribution, number of members, location, and preference. SOMEDCO hosts international missions teams to help build the houses, such as this team from Australia.