A fundamental problem exists in most parts of the world where those who “have” come to control those who “have not”.  Historically, this has often been brought about by the conquest of foreign world powers, which invade an indigenous people and remove from them the access to their land.  The severing of this tie to the land results in economic oppression.  This oppressive cycle in turn limits access to other important advantages that could be the means of escape, i.e. education.  However, at its root, this impoverished state is much deeper than its economic condition.  It affects the very soul and dignity of the ones ensnared by it, and it robs a people of their sense of value and worth as creatures of God.

It is this underlying spiritual oppression and condition that drives Side by Side to offer a means of hope.   Our desire is to “turn the table”, so to speak, so that those who have mostly experienced only hardship and rejection can be given a gift that breaks into their hearts and condition with a resounding statement of the wonderful love and mercy of God. 

Although the gift of a building is a very small thing in the light of the overall predicament, it is our hope that through it a deep-rooted seed can be planted, which given enough time and ongoing attention can grow into a full expression of God's love.