The Unity in Business Network Partners with Outreach Africa to Help Feed Starving Children in Tanzania, East Africa

St. Petersburg, FL (PRWeb) February 5, 2007 -- The Unity in Business Network will donate 10 percent of all membership fees this year to Outreach Africa, an Iowa-based non-profit that delivers food to starving children in Tanzania, East Africa, announced Cheryl Harrison, founding director of the online business network at www.UnityinBusiness.net.

For every new or renewed annual membership fee of $120, the network will donate $12 to Outreach Africa (www.outreachafrica.org). Each $12 donation will provide 80 nutritious meals for children in a remote area of central Tanzania, where a devastating drought and resulting crop failures have led to widespread food shortages and starvation. "Every $12 donation will provide food for a child for two months," said Harrison. "I can imagine no worthier cause."

"We hope through expansion of our membership base, to provide several thousand meals through Outreach Africa this year--and to save many lives as a result of our efforts and the work of Outreach Africa," she added.

Founded last year by Friends of Ministry, Inc., the Unity in Business Network provides low-cost online advertising for business people affiliated with Unity churches. The network hosts online business directories for Unity churches but has no formal affiliation with Unity, publisher of the "Daily Word," or the Association of Unity Churches. The network also shares income generously with members' churches, turning back 10 to 33 percent of every membership fee to a new or renewing member's church.

Floyd and Kathy Hammer created Outreach Africa in 2004 following a volunteer assignment to renovate a leprosy hospital and an HIV/AIDS hospice in Tanzania. The area had suffered three consecutive years of drought, and the Hammers found children and seniors dying of starvation and related diseases. Moved by the desperate conditions they observed in five villages in the bush county, "We decided to 'do something,'" said Floyd Hammer. "We began by purchasing two truckloads of maize (white corn) and bartering maize for baskets made by the mamas of the villages. In two months we had bartered and purchased for cash over 12,000 beautiful hand-made baskets. This provided needed food immediately and, longer term, provided cash to the local people so they could purchase food. Many lives were saved. Outreach continues to purchase baskets and other cottage industry products from the villages.

"We do not believe that just 'giving food' empowers people," he added. "It only makes people dependent.' Many people have craft skills in the villages, but no market for their products. That is why Outreach Africa purchases the villagers' crafts and coffee for cash. Families that are identified by village leaders as being 'in need' are provided meals to supplement what little food they may have. Maintaining the family unit is the very best way to assist children in need. The Hammers serve as volunteers, also supporting the villages by assisting with farming, medical care and education.

"We believe that education will be the key to a more stable future for the villages," Hammer said. "We also recognize that adequate food, water, and medical service are needed for education to be effective. Outreach provides one meal each day to every child who attends the Gunda Secondary school. There are now over 400 children who attend secondary school. Outreach supplies meals for 250 children each day at two orphanages in the Moshi area of Tanzania. Outreach has developed a comprehensive program to address these interrelated areas.

"We are so thankful that the Unity in Business Network has chosen Outreach Africa to receive the donations for 2007," he added. "We know this will assist the business network and Outreach in making a difference in the lives of many people both here at home and in Tanzania."

For more information, or to make a donation to Outreach Africa, please visit www.outreachafrica.org.

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