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Relief leader addresses CLU audience
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More from Conejo ValleyPeople who want to help end hunger and injustice in the world can start by learning, by mastering another language, by following international news and by being curious about the world around them.
That was the message delivered by the president of Lutheran World Relief, who spoke Friday at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
"The journey of life is marked well when it's marked by learning," said the Rev. John Nunes, speaking in Samuelson Chapel. "We can learn from anyone anywhere."
Lutheran World Relief works with 35 countries around the world, helping people grow food, strengthen their communities and recover from disasters.Although Americans tend to want to offer hands-on help, traveling to developing countries to do so, they also can help from home, Nunes said.
One way is to provide much-needed supplies, including health kits, school kits and layettes. People also can help by getting involved in public policy and advocacy, he said, and they can pray.
"You don't need to travel to do justice in this world," Nunes said. "Prayer is an act of activism. We become aware of the dreams of people around the world, which are the same as our dreams, dreams that crumble because of poverty and injustice."
In some cases, short-term assistance — when church groups or others drop in for just a week or so to help — can actually hinder relief efforts, he said.
"Locals become hosts rather than workers," Nunes said.
Blythe Cherney, 21, a junior in the audience who has studied in Thailand, understands the challenges associated with short-term relief efforts.
"You don't want to impose. You want to be an asset," Cherney said. "I thought he offered good alternatives for people to be involved here."
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