Mission

Community Development through the Local Church

Emmanuel International Tanzania has been working in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Ruaha in Iringa, Southern Tanzania, for nearly 20 years, assisting the Diocese with holistic development projects in rural communities.

Agriculture is the foundation of the Tanzanian economy, with about 80% of Tanzanians working on the land. About 70 percent of Tanzania’s crop area is cultivated by hand hoe. Low land productivity and dependence on unreliable and irregular weather conditions are a major cause of rural poverty. As part of the Diocese’s vision to meet the holistic needs of rural communities it seeks to empower local churches to bring about development in subsistence agriculture, with the assistance of various partners.


Emmanuel International's philosophy of ministry is church-based and holistic. EI partners with local churches and engages them to mobilize their communities to help themselves to meet real needs. We believe the church is God's chosen agent for transformation in the world, and with a network of churches in rural communities, the local church is in a strategic position to affect change in its community. By empowering local churches to meet real needs in their communities, the church will realize greater effectiveness in transforming lives, both spiritually and physically. In addition, the local church will be empowered to affect continuous change long after the mission organization leaves.

Fuel Efficient Stoves

Deforestation has been identified as a major problem that is causing poverty in many rural communities. One of the causes of deforestation is the collection of excess firewood owing to inefficient cooking techniques. EI has been assisting the Diocese with the implementation of a fuel-efficient stoves projects. These stoves use up to 50% less firewood than a traditional 3-stone fire. They are a convenient portable clay stove made entirely from local resources. This simple technology has many advantages for Tanzanian households:
  • reduce deforestation
  • reduce time spent collecting firewood, especially for women and girls
  • reduce smoke inhalation and respiratory illness
  • provide the simple convenience of a portable stove
  • provide an opportunity for income generation
traditional 3-stone cooking fire
The traditional household cooking method (3-stone fires) is a major cause of respiratory illness because of the excessive amounts of smoke produced. Also, using a lot of firewood it is leading to deforestation, a problem causing poverty in many rural communities. People, particularly young girls, have to go further and spend longer (sacrificing their own education) collecting firewood while their local environment is being irreversibly damaged. The aim is to establish a sustainable supply of energy efficient stoves (using 50% less firewood than 3-stone fires) made of local clay, in the rural communities, in which the income prospect for local stove producers is the incentive to produce more stoves. - See more at What's cooking in Tanzania. 
a portable clay stove -- fuel efficient cooking

Forestry + Agriculture

EI Tanzania is now building on the success of these stoves by introducing complimentary elements of afforestation and improved agriculture practices.  This will work towards actively reversing such environmental degradation and the resultant health and well-being problems that these vulnerable communities face.

Planting trees not only combats the problem of deforestation (as well as soil erosion and desertification), but can also provide a reliable and convenient source of firewood, produce nutritious fruits, and improve crop yields.

planting fruit trees near the community well


Emmanuel International

Emmanuel International is an international, interdenominational, evangelical agency which assists local churches worldwide to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the poor. As a global Christian ministry, Emmanuel International exists to encourage, strengthen, and assist churches worldwide to meet the needs of the poor in accordance with God's Word, sharing God's love and truth, transforming lives for Eternity.

Core Values


CHURCH-BASED
EICanada partners with and works through the agency of local churches within needy communities throughout the world in order to assist them in meeting the specific needs of their communities.
HOLISTIC
EICanada attends to the needs of the whole person: social, physical, emotional and spiritual.
IMPARTIAL
EICanada meets the needs of people regardless of their race, gender, age, colour or religion.
PEOPLE-CENTRED
EICanada’s staff works along side the people of the communities in which they work, bringing aid and personal care into towns, villages and homes.
BUILDING SELF RELIANCE
EICanada’s programs aim to build the self-reliance and dignity of those involved.
GRASS ROOTS
EICanada’s programs meet basic needs at the community level, using simple technology that is easy to replicate and maintain.