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Prior to their move to Kathmandu in 1998, Scott and Melanie were
assigned to the Surkhet Community Development Project in rural
western Nepal. From the very beginning of the project in 1983,
the mission's main concern was that the local people be involved
in such a way that they would see the program as their own. The
communities identified their priority needs as water systems,
conservation, health care, nonformal education, and income generation.
"Economic development projects—irrigation work, adult
education, handicrafts—are not goals in themselves,"
writes Scott about the Smiths' work in Surkhet, "but rather
the vehicles we use to enable the villagers to gain more power
over their own lives.
"We are not only seeking to see positive development in
poor rural communities, but development in the abilities of
the people and the quality of life of these communities."
Veterans of missionary agricultural projects and community development
in Bangladesh, the Smiths have also been associated with Koinonia
Partners and Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia. Scott
believes that his work there as international training coordinator
for Habitat advanced his skills in the general work of educating
adults and organizing communities.
Scott, the grandson of former missionaries to China, the Rev.
Cecil H. and Minna Amis Smith, was born in Dallas, Texas, where
his father taught at Southern Methodist University. He earned
both undergraduate and graduate degrees in soil and plant science
from Texas A&M University at College Station, Texas, a diploma
in community development from St. Xavier University (Coady International
Institute) in Nova Scotia, and a master of science degree in training
from Leicester University in England. He served ten years as a
mission co-worker from the former Presbyterian Church U.S., assigned
to the Presbyterian Fellowship in Bangladesh.
Melanie, a native of Guildford, England, received her training
as a state registered nurse from Guy's Hospital in London and
her qualifications as a state certified midwife from St. Luke's
Hospital in Guildford. Her work experience has been acquired in
England, South Africa, and Bangladesh where, prior to her marriage,
she worked with the English organization, HEED (Health, Education,
Economic Development). She qualified as a registered nurse while
the Smiths were living in Americus, Georgia.
The Smiths are members of First Presbyterian Church in Americus,
Georgia. They have four children, three of whom are adults: Kelli, Daniel, and Timothy. Hilary still lives with her parents.
Birthdays:
Melanie - March 25
Scott - November 12
Hilary - November 28 |
