International
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Mosaic's international advocacy efforts began in Latvia after the fall of Communism in 1994. Early work in Latvia consisted of educational exchanges and training, and now consists of a wide array of services. The nongovernmental organization, Kopa, has been selected to run the first community-based residential services in Latvia. The project will be funded by the European Union.
Mosaic's work in Great Britain began in 1994 and resulted from a request to help begin community-based services. Bethphage now provides a variety of services, including residential and vocational.
These two efforts have evolved into a collaboration with other Lutheran-related organizations in an international alliance called IMPACT. Mosaic has assumed the responsibility of being the liaison to the projects in Romania and Tanzania. Mosaic staff provide support in the areas of training, consultation and fundraising.
With its roots in the Lutheran Church, Mosaic also partners with other Lutheran organizations such as Lutheran Services in America (LSA), ELCA Global Mission, Lutheran World Relief and other domestic and international divisions of LSA.
Opportunities exist for Mosaic employees to participate in international exchanges in IMPACT projects as well as periodic exchanges with the Bethel Institute in Germany.
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Rich Carman, vice president of international development from Mosaic, has new duties! The direction of his work continues to include international development, but also includes a new way of life for Rich and his wife, Barb. They are working together and living in Romania during the fall and will be in Tanzania for the winter and spring. Barb joined the staff of Mosaic in September.
While overseas, they will be working with Mosaic's international partners on strategic planning, program development and sustainability. A large part of their time will be spent on advocacy around disability public policy issues such as school inclusion, employment for people with disabilities and government support for community-based programs.
One way they plan to stay in touch while in Romania and Tanzania is through a blog. The blog is up and running, and several posts have already been made. If you haven't checked it out yet, you can find it at Snippets from Mosaic International. Consider subscribing to the blog when you visit the site to receive updates.
Please make comments, ask questions and pass the website on to friends. We hope the blog will help raise awareness about individuals with disabilities and their families around the world, and also widen the circle of those committed to international advocacy.
If you know of a group that would be interested in learning more about how to support this incredible work, Rich and Barb will be in the U.S. May through September each year and available for speaking engagements.
