“Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows
in their distress”. James 1:27
Man was created to live in community with his fellow
man. For communities to thrive and for
individuals to ultimately achieve their purpose in life, it is essential that
we embrace and make foundational to our lives certain values particularly as
they concern the regard for and treatment of our fellow human beings. EMPOWER Development espouses the following as
our core values.
Our values underpin the foundation of who we are and how our
organization is run. They inform how we
view those with whom we interact and are consistently applied across all
EMPOWER’s activities and projects.
Empathy
"Love your
neighbor as yourself." Romans 13:9
Empathy describes the ability to be aware of, identify with,
be sensitive to and have compassion toward another. Full human existence dictates that we not be
concerned merely with our own well-being.
We must have a passionate desire to see our fellow human beings have an
opportunity to achieve their life potential – for their sakes as well as the
sakes of our children and our communities.
Dignity
“So God created man in his own
image,
in the image of God he created
him;
male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27
EMPOWER believes that all men have intrinsic dignity
regardless of race, creed, gender, social status or financial standing. This dignity is actualized and manifest when
human beings are enabled and empowered to fulfill their potential. This is the objective of EMPOWER projects.
Respect
“If you show special
attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “here's a good seat for
you”’ but say to the poor man "you stand there" or "sit on the
floor by my feet" have you not discriminated among yourselves and become
judges with evil thoughts?” James 2: 3,4
All of EMPOWER's interactions are characterised by a deep
recognition of each person's dignity. We believe that treating people with
respect helps to foster self-respect and the belief that they can achieve their
goals.
Equalisation
"Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low..." Isaiah. 40:4
EMPOWER, in
all initiatives, works to ensure that individuals and communities are allowed
the opportunity to access and benefit from both the tangible and intangible
wealth and resources of the earth – thereby redressing the status quo that the
majority of the earth’s wealth, benefits, and resources are only owned or
accessed by a small minority.
Hope
“But the needy will
not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.” Psalsms 9:18
EMPOWER wants to be a light of hope to those who have been
forgotten. Our goal is to raise within
individuals and communities an expectation that their lives can indeed change
for the better.
Collaboration
"There are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head
cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those
parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” 1 Corinthians 12:20-22
Collaboration is the operational
philosophy and imperative by which EMPOWER functions. Everything is done recognising that the whole
is greater than the sum of the parts and that every part has something of value
to contribute. This allows information
sharing, cross fertilization and a continuous improvement in project approach
and implementation.
Transparency
“Let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven.” Matthew 5:16
EMPOWER welcomes scrutiny of the impact that its projects
have on the lives of the direct beneficiaries as well as the wider community. Furthermore, EMPOWER projects adhere to
strict standards of governance and accountability.