In Mozambique Reverend Herminio describes the interfaith training around Malaria that begins with a Muslim prayer and ends with a Christian blessing but most importantly equips faith leaders to teach their congregations about malaria control, "The trainers are the same Imams and Pastors that people trust, we are not imported from outside, we cannot keep quiet about this, when our communities are dying. If we have the knowledge we have to share it." It is stories and statistics like these that are encouraging the development community to look more and more at the potential of faith communities.

"Faith communities" (faith based organisations, faith communities and religious leaders) are seen as development's missing link reaching those that governments and NGOs can't. But what is the role of these faith communities? Do they have a justifiable role at the 'development table'? And how effective can they be? This series is designed to answer some of these tough questions.