Partnerships > ACAT

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ACAT is convinced that poverty has a spiritual base to it.

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African Cooperative Action Trust (ACAT) is a South African non governmental organization that has worked with the rural poor since 1990 in sustainable development. They have had a long and productive history establishing work among the poor in rural southern Africa. Their approach has been modified and honed over the years to what it is today.

ACAT's approach is one that empowers and builds capacity among the rural poor so that the people can run their own affairs. The organization has a five fold program covering nutrition, AIDS/HIV, home food security, business skills, and a Godly lifestyle. The Godly lifestyle component is crucial, as ACAT is convinced that poverty has a spiritual base to it.

As of late 2008, Into Africa is still in the early stages of its partnership with ACAT and the implementation of sustainable development programs. Results have been very encouraging thus far. Discussion and advice is received frequently concerning the effective implementation of the model.

The real challenge will be to increase the pace of implementation, given that churches are being initiated rapidly and that sustainable development work is slower by its very nature. We are seeking ways to leverage implementation so that the thousands of village churches established through the Into Africa Project will have an effective economic ministry to their communities.

Click here to learn more about ACAT by linking to their website.