Sarah Hanson, Director of U.S. Development for Blessman International, introduced the speaker Dr. Jim Blessman. Formed as a non-profit organization in August 2001, Blessman International, Inc. was founded by Dr. Jim and Beth Blessman. Jim is a board-certified family physician and pain specialist. Operations are in Urbandale, IA and outreach is based in Limpopo, South Africa.
Blessman International was created to accomplish its mission of offering South African children and young adults God’s love and eternal hope through faith formation and programs to feed hungry children, foster food secure communities and offer dignity through basic water and sanitation.
Today, Blessman International has three campuses in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The Thompson Campus is where their offices and sewing center are located, as well as the Leroy Blessman Lodge of Dreams that houses guests and service teams. The Del Cramer Campus is where the Del Cramer Child Development Center operates, which includes an after-school program for impoverished children, a bakery, and a small farming coop. The Mountain View Farm campus is where Blessman International has a larger farming operation that supplements the feeding centers, and additional staff housing and the Ridgway Youth Hostel.
Dr. Blessman presented information on their various outreach activities including:
Clean Water - Providing for clean water through the digging on new wells. HyVee is an important contributor for this initiative.
“Teach a Child to Fish” - They provide training on agronomy practices to children, in order to create a sustainable food supply from their own efforts of farming.
Sanitation Efforts – The legacy outdoor bathroom facilities are decrepit and not safe, and the current activity is to build environmentally friendly, waterless, and safe toilets.
Creation of Churches - In addition to the starting of several churches, many Christian faith-based programs are available as part of the outreach.
Sarah Hanson then presented information on the most recent outreach related to the education of pre-menstrual girls and providing supplies for feminine hygiene. Kits with various clothing supplies are sewn and distributed, and this allows the girls to maintain ongoing attendance at their school.
Dr. Blessman is a Rotarian, and there are strong connections in Iowa and South Africa with Rotary Clubs for fund raising and service. Service trip are available for Rotarians and are coordinated by Lee Holmes of the Waukee Rotary Club.