The Covid pandemic has been and continues to be a major challenge for all of us and has impacted our lives in so many ways including for many the loss of members of our family and or close friends. I guess we can only imagine what it is like living through this crisis where access to services and resources is extremely limited.
For some years now the church at St Michaels has been a strong supporter of the work of Compassion, in its care and support of children across 25 developing countries. Collectively the worshipping community at St Michael’s sponsor 30 children in 15 of these countries. It is inspiring to hear how Compassion has adapted its approach to meet the challenges of COVID-19. It continues to reach out to new and existing partners in the care of children and families.
You may recall that 4 years ago we successfully raised funds to construct a new shower and toilet block for a large centre in Ethiopia and how well that was received and what a difference it has made.
We would now like to support a project in the Philippines details of which are below. You will see that for just over £10K we will provide direct help to 100 children and their families.
Clearly our circumstances are such that whilst some fund-raising events may be possible most of the giving will need to come from direct contributions. Below is a form indicating ways you can give. Please prayerfully consider this project and discern if you can help
Many thanks
Julia Davidson and Howard Petch (St Michael's Compassion Coordinators)
COMPASSION SUPPORTING NEW CENTRES DURING THE PANDEMIC: A STORY OF SUCCESS
Reverend Desmy, is the Director of the new Compassion church partner in Uganda, Kotido Child and Youth Development Centre. Like SOULS Child Development Centre, this centre lost the opportunity of Compassion sponsorship funding due to the pandemic. Desmy, explains how crisis intervention funding transformed their community during COVID-19. He says: ‘I am extremely excited to write to you today. Our church is in the heart of a small town called Kotido, located in the north eastern part of our country, Karamoja. With the timely support, the church is now supporting 150 children in Kotido with relief food, improving their health by engaging with the parents on a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) programme, and protecting children from abuse by helping parents appreciate the safety of their children. We are now building a good network with local leaders and other state organisations for the protection of children. Furthermore, we successfully conducted recruitment of two staff members who began work in November and purchased start up equipment such as a printer, a photocopier, office chairs, tables and shelves, among others. The church is very optimistic that in the coming years, a great number of children and parents will know about the love of God. In addition, they will be able to enrol in schools and fight poverty effectively. We want to thank the supporters for the seed sown in these little children’s lives and now my prayer is just as the word says in 2 Corinthians 9:10: "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” God bless you.’
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