Frequently Asked Questions

About the Build a Village Website

Build a Village is an interactive web site for the whole family. The stories, games, and other activities provide a way for children of all ages to learn about the struggles of impoverished people to make a better life for themselves - and the ways Church World Service is helping them do it. The site also provides an opportunity for visitors to support that life-changing work by purchasing a "Tool of Hope" gift.

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About Church World Service

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations. Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries, CWS supports sustainable self-help development, meets emergency needs, and helps address the root causes of poverty and powerlessness.

Within the U.S., Church World Service assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, and offers opportunities to join a people-to-people network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Hunger Walks, the Blankets+ Program, and the CWS Kit Program.

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How can I help tell others about this site?
You can help spread the word by distributing our PDF flyer or putting a Build a Village button on your website. Find out how here.

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When I click on "Give a Gift", I get a message saying "This page cannot be displayed".

You are probably receiving this message because you are using an older browser (for example, Internet Explorer 5.0) that does not have adequate encryption to access our secure giving page. You need 128-bit encryption to access our secure pages. To make an online gift, you will need to download and install the latest encryption pack.

To upgrade encryption for Internet Explorer 5:

  1. On the toolbar, select "Help", then "About Internet Explorer"
  2. Look for "Cipher Strength: 56-bit", and click the link "(Update Information)"
  3. Follow instructions to download the High Encryption Pack
  4. You will need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

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What if my E-card is returned as undeliverable?

If the E-card you sent is returned to you as undeliverable, you may create a replacement card. Please make sure that the email address you use is typed correctly and is valid. It also may be possible that your recipient's mailbox is full.

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Do you share my contact information with any other organizations?

Our policy is to protect the privacy of our supporters by not renting or selling any personal information; we do not share, rent, or sell email addresses. Church World Service may occasionally share our mailing lists with other like-minded nonprofit organizations. If you do not want us to share this information you may call us at any time at 1-800-297-1516, ext. 337, or e-mail us at , to let us know. For more information, read our privacy statement.

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Are there other ways I can help?

There are a number of ways you can help Church World Service continue to support sustainable self-help development, meet emergency needs, aid refugees, and help address the root causes of poverty and powerlessness. Visit the web pages listed below to learn more.

Creating a Legacy of Hope
Beyond the all-important immediate support, please be sure to consider Church World Service when making your estate plans, creating bequests, and establishing life income gifts.

CROP Hunger Walk
Each year more than a quarter million CROP Hunger Walkers put their hearts and soles in motion to help stop hunger, one step at a time, in some 2,000 locally-organized CROP Hunger Walks and other community events.

Blankets+ Program
From blankets to weaving projects, water pumps to tents, trees to veterinary training, sewing machines to seeds — Blankets+ Program is providing the right tools at the right time.

CWS Kits
Put together a small assistance package and make a big difference. Little things do mean a lot -- help provide CWS Kits.

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