Church Donates Fishing Gear to Support Small-Scale Fisheries in Homa Bay

By Joshua Kim

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The World Mission Society Church of God (General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, hereinafter referred to as the Church of God) will hold the “Fishing Gear Donation Ceremony to Support Self-Reliance of Small-Scale Fishermen” near Lake Victoria in Homa Bay on November 27, as part of the “Hold Hope!”

Campaign

Through this donation initiative, the Church will provide fishing boats, motors, nets, and other essential equipment to local fishermen who have rented boats for fishing to make a living, helping lay the foundation for stable and sustainable fisheries.

Small-scale fishermen in Homa Bay make a living from fishing by renting boats, motors, nets, and other equipment. They spend 50% of their monthly income on equipment rental expenses, and 38% on fuel costs and other operating expenses.

As a result, their net income is only about 12% of their gross income, making it difficult for them to be self-reliant and perpetuating a cycle of poverty.

A representative from the Church of God stated, “With the heart of a mother who looks after her family’s well-being, our members have prepared these supplies and equipment for local fishermen. We hope that our donations will bring practical help and hope to them, and that our local residents will gain new strength in the love of God who embraces all people as one family.”

This donation initiative is part of the “Hold Hope” campaign that the Church of God is carrying out all around the world in celebration of World Food Day (October 16). “Hold Hope” means “Hold on to Hope! This campaign aims to support vulnerable people and small-scale food producers worldwide, bringing hope to their lives.

Through this campaign, the Church provides food assistance to vulnerable groups in various countries, including Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ukraine. On October 23, the Church delivered food parcels to 30 vulnerable households in Starehe, Nairobi.

In February and March, the Church distributed food and other basic necessities to 6,400 households through government agencies in 25 countries, in celebration of World Day of Social Justice (February 20).

This campaign is part of the “Global Hope Supporters,” an initiative being globally carried out by the Church of God with the aim of bringing hope to the world in crisis. It falls under the category of “Poverty and Hunger Alleviation.”

The “Global Hope Supporters” initiative is undertaken in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across six areas, including climate change response, educational support, and building safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.