Angola

The partner of FELM in Angola is the Igreja Evangélica Luterana de Angola (IELA). The Church originated in Kunene province but now has congregations in other parts of the country. The Church headquarters are in Lubango in Huila Province.

FELM aims to support ministry and congregations, and to work towards improving the living conditions of the population and building peace. Child sponsorship programmes commenced in 2004.

FELM staff work for IELA as:

• Teachers
• Health care workers
• Development advisors
• Bible translators

Ministry and Congregational work

FELM supports the Christian education of Church leaders and membership, the training of pastors and evangelists in the Shangalala Institute and the Theological Seminary of Lubango. FELM staff work in theological institutes.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Angola has very active in-country ministry. The Church carries out missionary training and has initiated translating the Bible into Nkumbi, a language spoken in the Kunene Province.

The financial situation of this active Church is weak. Most congregations are unable to provide the salaries for Church leaders and workers. To remedy this situation, a project was created in 2006 to improve the financial and project management components of the Church.

Community Support and Capacity Building

During the years of civil war, the government was unable to develop education and health service provision. Due to this, the contribution of the Church in the social sector is vital. The Church provides health care services and supports schools in 40 locations.

The Church manages a clinic in Shangalala with a basic health unit close by. The emphasis in health is on preventative measures, such as health education and vaccination programmes. Maternal health is supported through antenatal care and training of local midwives and traditional birth attendants.

The literacy rate among the adult population is only 42%. Education for adults and children is of importance to the Church. The IELA has built schools in Shangalala and Huambo. FELM funds secondary education in Shangalala and facilitates the education of children in Lubango and Shangalala through child sponsorship.

Peace Building

Angola’s independence in 1975 was followed by a long civil war. A peaceful resolution to the conflict was finally reached on 4 April 2002. Angola now lives in a period of reconstruction.

In its efforts to establish democracy, the government has openly requested the assistance of the Church to build peace between different factions. The Church has responded to this call with vigor and encourages people to forgive and live in harmony with each other. FELM supports the efforts of the IELA in peace building.

HIV/AIDS

The incidence of HIV/AIDS is not as severe in Angola as it is in the rest of Southern Africa; 5% of the adult population is infected. The long war isolated the population and thus prevented the rapid spread of HIV. It is feared that the incidence is likely to go up. IELA participates in the efforts of the African Churches against the spread of HIV/AIDS. FELM funded programme trains professionals dealing with HIV/AIDS and supports those infected and assists their families to cope with the disease.