When you join hands with someone else, you are saying you are willing to work together. And that 's just what the Joining Hands Network is all about. A part of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, it connects U.S. congregations and presbyteries with other networks around the world. Some of these are church networks, while others are non-profit groups, community groups and networks from other faith traditions. Joining Hands Networks work together to change the things that make people poor and hungry.
Take a look at a world map or globe. Many of the countries in the northern part of our world have a lot of money. But many countries in the southern part are just beginning to grow and develop. They may have many resources, but not much money.
Wealthy countries in the North, like the United States, are not just rich, they also have a lot of power in the world. People in poorer countries in the South need to take charge of their own lives and to have their voices heard. In the Joining Hands networks, people in the South decide what they need to make their lives better and how they want to change things to make it happen. U.S. Christians try to listen and offer help when their partners ask for it.
Together the networks work in their own communities and countries and around the world to tackle problems. They encourage leaders to make changes and help them to make them. They work to change the things that cause people to be hungry and poor, things that can't be made right just by giving people money, food or clothing. At the same time country-networks start doing things that are fair. They work to find ways to solve problems that can make a difference in people's lives.
Right now, Joining Hands is working in nine countries:
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