SALEM International gemeinnützige GmbH is a German charitable company with limited liability based in Stadtsteinach.[1][2] It describes itself as an international non-denominational Christian non-profit welfare organisation.[2] Its guiding principles include human rights, vegetarian diet, and the promotion of a non-denominational Christian way of life. Its slogan is "Christian, nonprofit, charitable".[2] 42
Name
editThe institution's name "SALEM" refers to Salem (Hebrew שָׁלֵם, Shalem, "peace"), the home of Melchizedek as given in Genesis 14:18, possibly to be identified with Jerusalem.
History
editSALEM International was founded by "Gottfried Müller and a circle of friends" in 1957 in Germany.[2]
In Germany, SALEM established institutions for homeless people, children from disadvantaged family backgrounds, and ex-convicts in Stadtsteinach and Höchheim, Bavaria, and Kovahl, Lower Saxony.
In 1980, 200 children were living in the long-established villages in Germany. But Müller has said that "Salem is only the model"; he and other organizers have not been interested in increasing the number of the villages belonging to the organization, instead seeing them as models.[3]
Further Salem institutions were built in Uganda, Russia, Togo, and Ecuador. Similar independent projects exist in the United States and Israel.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ SALEM International gemeinnützige GmbH, Lindenhof Salem, DE-95346 Stadtsteinach, Bavaria, Germany
- ^ a b c d "About us". saleminternational.org. SALEM International gemeinnützige GmbH. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
- ^ Michael Harris (April 1980). "The Salem Children's Village: A New Concept in Foster Care". New Age: 42 ff.
- ^ "After SALEM established itself in Germany, Gottfried Müller decided to bring his ideas also to other countries." "SALEM worldwide". saleminternational.org. SALEM International gemeinnützige GmbH. Retrieved 28 August 2016.