'Everyone can do something'
Lecture on African plight set at Zion Dominion
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Three years ago when Zion Dominion Global Ministries moved from Buffalo to Amherst, the church began to expand.

Part of that expansion includes the establishment of We Are Manna Ministries, which helps find a solution to the plight of African nations and their people.

"We too can be a solution," said Sandra Scruggs, pastor of missions for WAMM. "Until things can be changed in these countries, we provide temporary support."

To raise awareness of the plight of the men, women and children of Africa, Zion Dominion and WAMM will present a program called "Revelations of the Third World: Africa" at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 at the church, 895 North Forest Road.

The program will include lectures by local residents who have traveled to Africa, video and slideshow presentations and exhibitions by church members.

"The purpose is not to entertain, it's to inform," Scruggs said.

Among the speakers will be missionary George Miller, who is also a recording artist and a children's ambassador with AMG International, a ministry group in Uganda that focuses on orphaned children.

"I'm in a different church every weekend," Miller said. "The importance of this is to raise awareness of what's happening in Africa and the Third World and to let people here know how good they have it."

Another speaker is Ken Krieger, co-founder and president of EduNations, which builds schools that also serve as community centers that provide health services, AIDS prevention, adult education, vocational training and community empowerment. He has adopted two children from Sierra Leone.

Dawn Nicole Bryant, social worker who has twice been dispatched to New Orleans to counsel children of rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, also will speak.

"There is a connection between Katrina and Africa," Scruggs said.

Bryant, Scruggs' niece, is pursuing her doctorate degree at Howard University. Orphaned at three months, she was raised by her aunts and grandmother.

"What would have happened to her if there hadn't been family to raise her?" Scruggs said. "Look at what the world would have missed. What we want to do (with the program) is show people what can happen to orphaned children (if they have support)."

Scruggs noted that while Africa is an underdeveloped continent, it is not a poor one.

"It is a country full of resources," she said. "But people take the resources and don't give anything back."

What WAMM tries to do in Africa is provide temporary aid to those who need it so that the countries can begin to develop and stand on their own - a process that must begin with the youngest members of society.

The children in the congregation have begun a penny drive to send money overseas to help those their own age. The money benefits African children and the lessons learned benefit the children raising the money here.

"Our children are our most important resources," Scruggs said, noting the correlation between the children in the congregation and those receiving aid in Africa. "Children who understand that there are kids in the world with nothing, have a difficult time asking for $200 Nikes."

The overall message that WAMM hopes to send to the public is that money and social status are not imperative to making a difference.

The event's speakers "are ordinary people," Scruggs said. "Everyone can do something."

For more information, call 250-7040 ext. 251 or visit www. ziondominion. org.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com