A faith-based organization (FBO) is an organization that has a faith or religious component as its foundation and motivation for its work. The purpose of this assignment is to assess a faith-based organization and understand how it is unique. Faith-based organizations play an important role in global health given their holistic approach to serving the whole person and community, especially among vulnerable groups. Identify an example of a faith-based global health organization or ministry. Research the institution by reviewing annual reports, websites, papers, program documents, or conducting in-person or phone interviews. The organization should be at least 5 years old, work in multiple countries, and have an explicit faith-based foundation. Write a 1,000-1,250-word case study on the selected organization in which you assess the following aspects of the organization:
Mission
Assess how the mission of the organization aligns with its strategies and work.
- How does the mission of the organization match its strategies and activities in
serving vulnerable or low-income populations? - How does the organization integrate faith into its public health activities and
programs? Comment on how the organization balances its mission to share its
faith with its goal to improve health. - Are the values of the organization unique compared to other global health organizations?
Populations
Assess the populations served by the organization or ministry.
- How does the organization or ministry identify a population or individuals to
serve? - Does the organization have specific eligibility criteria?
Funding Mechanism
Assess the funding mechanism of the organization.
- What are the primary sources of support for the organization?
- Do the local populations being served by the organization help support the
organization (time, talents, or treasure)?
Partnerships
Assess the partnerships of the organization within public health to develop innovative and appropriate public health models.
- How does the organization work or partner with other organizations, churches, or groups in the communities where the organization works?
- Does the organization partner with governmental public health agencies?
- How could the organization improve the effectiveness of its “aid” and support in the communities within which it works?
General Requirements
You are required to cite at least SIX sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the discussion question criteria and public health content.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is not required.
While APA style is required, solid academic writing is expected as well, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
PLEASE make sure APA citation and permalink for articles are complete and correct.
PLEASE add the links/sites below to the reference list if you use any of these readings and make sure everything is in proper APA format.
Read Chapters 3 and 10 in For the Love of God: Principles and Practice of Compassion in Missions.
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Read “Evaluating the Strength of Faith: Potential Comparative Advantages of Faith-Based Organizations Providing Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa,” by Lipsky from Public Administration and Development (2011).
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Read “Measuring the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of Young Children in Resource-Limited Settings: A Review of the Existing Measures,” by Paltzer, Barker, and Witt, from Quality of Life Journal (2013).
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Read “On Understanding Orphan Statistics,” located on the Christian Alliance for Orphans website.
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Read “The Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT): The Creation, Validation, and Reliability of a Tool to Assess Child Development in Rural African Settings,” by Gladstone, Lancaster, Umar, Nyirenda, Kayira, ven den Broek, and Smyth, from PLOS Medicine (2010).
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Read “Every Child Alive: The Urgent Need to End Newborn Deaths,” by Devine and Taylor (2018), located on the UNICEF website.
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Review the website for the Journal of Global Health (JoGH) collection covering maternal, neonatal and child health, Engaging Communities for Improving Mothers’ and Children’s Health: Reviewing the Evidence of Effectiveness in Resource-Constrained Settings, edited by Perry(2017). Download and read the following selection: “Comprehensive Review of the Evidence Regarding the Effectiveness of Community Based Primary Health Care in Improving Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health: 6. Strategies Used by Effective Projects” by Perry et al.
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Explore the Millions Saved page of the Center for Global Development website.
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Explore the Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) website.
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Explore the Early Child Development page of the World Health Organization (WHO) website.
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Explore the UNICEF website.
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Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: Faith-based organizations play a significant role in global health by offering a holistic approach to serving vulnerable populations. The purpose of this assignment is to assess a faith-based organization and evaluate how it is unique. In this case study, I will assess a faith-based global health organization or ministry and evaluate its mission, populations it serves, funding mechanism, and partnerships.
Mission: The faith-based organization that I have selected is Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS’s mission is to serve the poorest and most vulnerable populations around the world. CRS’s strategies align with its mission, which is to provide emergency relief, improve health, and promote economic development through various programs such as agriculture, education, and peacebuilding. CRS also integrates faith into its public health activities and programs through values such as compassion, unity, and stewardship. These values provide a framework for CRS to uphold its mission while sharing its faith.
Populations: CRS serves vulnerable populations globally through its programs. The organization works in 100 countries and serves people affected by poverty, conflict, disasters, and displacement. CRS identifies populations to serve based on their vulnerability and their access to resources. The organization has specific eligibility criteria for some programs, such as age restrictions for education programs or household income requirements for microfinance programs.
Funding Mechanism: The primary sources of support for CRS are private donations and grants from the United States government and other international organizations. Local populations support CRS through their time and talents as volunteers. However, the organization does not depend on local populations financially.
Partnerships: CRS works with various partners, including the Catholic Church, local organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies. The organization also collaborates with other faith-based organizations to provide aid and support in the communities it serves. CRS partnerships with governmental public health agencies include working with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. To improve its effectiveness in the communities within which it works, CRS could strengthen its partnerships with local organizations and governments to ensure sustainable development.
Conclusion: CRS is an example of a faith-based organization that serves vulnerable populations globally through its programs. The organization’s mission aligns with its strategies and work, which are integrated with faith-based values. CRS serves vulnerable populations globally by identifying them based on their vulnerability and access to resources. The organization’s funding sources include private donations and grants from international organizations. CRS partners with various organizations, including NGOs, the Catholic Church, and governments, to provide aid and support.
