Justice for the Poor

"Bread for the World" is a programme of help instigated by the protestant churches in Germany. It was set up in Berlin in 1959 and since then has been the responsibility of the “Diakonische Werk”, the Social Service Agency of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD). "Bread for the World" works jointly with local churches and partner organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe on over 1,000 projects, all of which are aimed at helping people to help themselves. The motto behind our work is “justice for the poor”.

Our “daily bread”
The name "Bread for the World" says it all. We work to help people living in need and misery. The word “Bread” does not only refer to food. Martin Luther interpreted the request for „daily bread“ in the Lord’s Prayer as a request for everything needed to keep body and soul together – like food, drink, clothes, shoes, housing, farms, land, cattle, money and property. Our “daily bread” stands for all the basic necessities of life which should be available to everyone in the world.

Like Luther "Bread for the World" fights to give people everything they need to live their lives in dignity: human living and working conditions, sufficient food, a roof over their heads, health and educational facilities – independent of origin and social status. Our basic aim is to enable the disadvantaged and socially outcast to live a dignified life.

Supporting our partners
This is not about distributing alms. We want to help people to take control of their own destiny. This is why we do not conduct our own projects in the countries of the Southern hemisphere but support local partners in their work. For they are best acquainted with their country, their people and their problems. They should be able to decide on what is best for their own lives and shape them accordingly. We regard ourselves as an advocate and mouthpiece for our local partners working amongst the disadvantaged.