1. Education

We support education programs that equip children, families, and communities to overcome the grip of poverty and chart their own paths.

Education is a powerful force for change that empowers children and adults to rise above poverty and oppression. Without a quality education, people don’t learn how to make their own way through life and get trapped in a cycle of menial work, crime, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation. In many developing countries, the government charges families a fee to attend school, making it inaccessible to millions.

This priority aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education.

2. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

We help communities develop a sustainable supply of safe water and teach best practices for sanitation and personal hygiene.

According to the United Nations (2021), 2 billion people lack safe drinking water, 3.6 billion people lack safely managed sanitation,  and 2.3 billion people lack the conditions needed for basic hygiene. Water is an essential ingredient for a healthy, dignified human life. Without it, people suffer from disease, hunger, malnutrition, and an unproductive life of poverty.

This priority aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.

3. Health and Medical Services

Our medical interventions address a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, with a focus on treatment and prevention. In some countries, we operate clinics and hospitals for people who cannot afford government healthcare. We also provide training, mentoring, and education for the next generation of medical practitioners.  

International Needs provides access to health and medical services to ensure vulnerable children are in a healthy condition to learn and grow into their full potential. We believe God has the power to bring blessings and healing through the hands of health practitioners, medications, and vaccinations. Our role is to encourage wellness through kind leadership and compassion.

This priority aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 – Good Health and Well-Being.

4. Advocacy and Social Justice

We share God’s concern for justice, and we work to liberate men, women, and children from many forms of oppression and discrimination.

People are made in the image of God and should not be exploited for their race, religion, color, culture, class, sex, age, or any other reason. We denounce evil and seek to spread the love of God in the midst of an unrighteous world. Our advocacy and social justice activities are an outworking of our faith and an expression of love for our neighbors.

This priority aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #5, #10, and #16 – Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

5. Agriculture and Livelihoods

Our partners engage in activities such as crop and livestock management, skill training in carpentry, sewing, and construction, and micro-financing to help families start small enterprises such as market stalls, hair salons, and tailoring shops.

People living in poverty face a daily struggle to earn a living. Our work in this area focuses on farming, vocational training, and other activities that help vulnerable people find work and grow food so they can support themselves and their families. We look through a long-term lens with the goal of ensuring food security and livelihoods.

This priority aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #2 and #8 – Zero Hunger and Decent Work and Economic Growth.