by Jennifer Svetlik
Editor’s note: The Worm Project was approved by Mosaic’s board as a Conference-Related Ministry and will be welcomed at Mosaic’s Assembly on November 2, 2024.
They invite all to attend their Free Benefit Banquet on Saturday, October 26, at 6 pm at the Franconia Heritage Restaurant. Hear inspiring stories from keynote speaker, Howard Schiffer, founder and President of Vitamin Angels. The meal is free; reservations are required by Oct. 20. Leave your name and number of attendees by email to info@wormproject.org or by phone at 267-932-6050 x201.
The Worm Project is a global initiative that strives to relieve the suffering of millions of children throughout the world through raising money to purchase and distribute deworming medicine to those who need it most. The medicine is purchased in large quantities at discounted prices, and The Worm Project works closely with partner organizations to distribute the medicine. Deworming medicine is the most cost-effective way to impact the health of children.
For 25 years, this all-volunteer ministry, of which Mosaic Conference has been a fiscal sponsor, has helped prevent malnutrition in children caused by parasitic worms. The ministry was founded by Franconia Conference missionary Claude Good, who worked with the indigenous Triqui peoples of Mexico. The book How to Change the World One Penny at a Time: The Story of Claude Good and the Worm Project tells this story in greater detail (and all proceeds from the book sale go to purchase deworming medicine).
The Worm Project is now becoming independent as a Conference-Related Ministry (CRM) of Mosaic Conference. The CRM seeks to “be God’s hands and feet, helping nourish the minds, bodies, and souls of His children all over the world,” and is guided by Matthew 25:40, among other scripture texts.
Roughly one-quarter of the world’s children are at risk of being infected by parasitic worms, which can rob children of up to a third of their daily nutritional intake and cause cognitive and physical impairment. The treatment is an effective, safe pill that costs less than three cents and eliminates all worms in a child. Recommended treatment is every six months to one year.
With the generous support of many donors, last year The Worm Project was able to donate medicine to treat nearly 11 million children in Honduras, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond. Using World Health Organization data from 2022, we calculate our medicine donations would treat roughly 9% of children under age five who were treated that year for parasitic worms.
“As the home conference of our founder, Claude Good, Franconia Mennonite Conference and now Mosaic, has supported The Worm Project in many ways since our beginning back in the 1990s, shares Gary Delp, Board President. “We hope to continue Claude’s vision to help all children be free of parasitic worms.”
The Worm Project asks congregations in Mosaic Conference to pray that God will open the hearts of people to donate freely so they can help more children needing treatment. Less than 50% of children under age 5 who were at risk for parasitic worm infections were treated last year.
Watch this video to learn more, support, and pray for the vital work of this CRM.
Jennifer Svetlik
Jennifer is Editor & Development Associate for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.