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Information you'll find here!
Description of Angola Description of the Church The Orphanage in Malange
Destroyed Buildings of Quessua Mission Station Support Required
Comparative Area:
81,353 square miles, larger than Texas and California combined.
Population:
Declared population in the 1994 Census was 11,253,000 with and estimate of 13,3 million by the year 2000.
Political Activity:
Angola was a former colony of Portugal and given independence in 1975. There has been a struggle between two main parties since the time of independence. The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is led by Jose Eduardo dos Santos and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) is led by Jonas Savimbi. Covert U.S. support and overt South African support went to UNITA and Soviet and Cuban aid helped MPLA. Elections were held in the fall of 1992 and Santos won with 52% of the vote. Savimbi declared that the elections were unfair and started the civil war once again. Peace accords were signed in November of 1994 and held for awhile some fighting continues. Pockets of resistance are limited to guerrilla warfare.
Economy:
Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 80-90% of the population but accounts for only 10-20% of G DP. Oil production is the most lucrative sector of the economy, contributing to 50% of GOP. The mining of diamonds has also produced major revenue and has sustained the rebel forces in continuing the civil war.
The religious preferences are: Roman Catholic 68%, Protestant 20% and Traditional Religious Belief 12%.
History:
A group of Methodists, under the leadership of Rev. William Taylor, started work among the Kimbundu people in 1885. Many missionaries were at work in Angola until the middle 1960's and left at the beginning of the war for independence. At the present there are two Conferences of the United Methodist Church. The West Angola Conference is under the leadership of Gaspar Domingos and the East Angola Conference led by Jose
Quipungo, both elected in August of 2000.
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The first emphasis of the "Angola Advocates" will be to help with the repairs of an orphanage in the provincial capital of Malanje, a project of the East Angola Conference. The orphanage is the home for 60 young men and women. Many have lost both parents during civil war. The orphanage needs doors and windows installed, a new roof replaced and beds for sleeping. Money will also be used to supplement the feeding program.
 Malanje Orphanage |
 Orphanage Director |
 Cooking for Orphanage |
 Orphanage Dorm |
 Repairs, Roof & Doors |
 Dorm Repairs |
One of the major institutions established over the years for the training of African leadership was the Mission Station of Quessua. During the Civil War many of the buildings were destroyed.
 Hospital |
 Hospital Wing |
 School |
 High School |
 Primary School |
 Theology School |
 Church |
It is the hope of the East Angola Conference under the leadership of Bishop Quipungo to restore many of these buildings. When funds are available the first building to be repaired will be the Central Church. Broken windows need to be replaced and a new ceiling installed. Rebuilding the Theological School, the high school and the primary school will be the next priorities.
Those who desire to help with the "Angola Advocates" program and projects may send contributions to:
Rocky Mountain Conference
C/O Africa Partnership Committee
2200 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80210
Mark gifts for:
"Advance Special # 000339-ORA
Orphanage-Malanje"
We are looking for individuals in local churches who would like to be part of the "Angola Advocates" group. Those interested may contact:
Burl G. Kreps
Coordinator for "Angola Advocates"
3958 Coral Point
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
E-mail: kbkreps@msn.com
Phone: 719-637-0258
