WCIUjournal
Copy of AREA STUDIES

Area Studies

What can we learn by comparing practices and customs in different societies around the world?

Photo credit: Britt Reints - Flickr


Posts tagged Community
African Traditional Beliefs and Development

by Chris Ampadu

The African lives in a religious universe. Religious tradition influences thoughts and actions, determining practically every aspect of life, including moral behavior. This essay concludes with the observation that African indigenous cultures and traditions have generally not promoted scientific inquiry or the development and adaptation of new technologies. Because African cultures tend to emphasize communalism, the people have a hard time accumulating enough wealth to build large enterprises.

Read More
EditorAfrica, Worldview, Development, Community, African Traditional Religion, Ancestors, Animism, group identity, collectivism Comments
Holistic Transformational Development in East Africa through Surgical Care

by Dan Poenaru

My premise is that a health care ministry to children with disabilities and their families can—and should—be the springboard to holistic, transformational community development in low-resourced settings in Africa. I will develop this thesis by first examining the context in which it is proposed with its social, cultural, and spiritual aspects. I will then define the specific bio-psychosocial and spiritual challenges that need to be met, and propose an elaborate, if hypothetical, plan of action.

Read More
EditorDevelopment, Africa, Health care, Disease, Evil, Dualism, Shalom, Holism, Community, transformation, health, spirituality, holism, prayerComment