FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline: Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:
UMCOR: HELP MEET MALARIA CHALLENGE RESOURCES: INTERNATIONAL DISASTER FUND—CHURCH BULLETIN SOUTH AFRICA: CARING FOR REFUGEES HAITI: HOT MEALS FOR CHILDRENUMCOR: HELP MEET MALARIA CHALLENGE
Last month, UMCOR issued a challenge grant to raise $200,000 for a 1.2 million malaria net distribution taking place next year in Sierre Leone, West Africa. The goal for United Methodists is to match $200,000 by June 30 and provide every child under five years-old in Sierra Leone with a protective bed net.
The grant was made possible from the newly-established Ryckman Fund in honor of Anne Ryckman, a deceased parishioner of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., who left a generous donation from her estate to UMCOR.
Help UMCOR meet the challenge and save lives. Each net cost $10. Support this initiative by giving to Middle East Nothing But Nets, UMCOR Advance #982015 by June 30.
RESOURCES: INTERNATIONAL DISASTER FUND—CHURCH BULLETIN
In the past month, UMCOR sent more that $250,000 to support disaster response efforts around the globe. Nearly half went to assist people displaced by the fighting in Swat, Pakistan. UMCOR also supported an emergency food distribution to 4,200 displaced people in Myanmar.
The International Disaster Response Advance allows UMCOR to provide financial support to disasters when it is needed. Please help keep the Advance funded so that UMCOR can continue to quickly respond to those left vulnerable when a disaster happens.
Download and share Responding in Time of Need, UMCOR's new church bulletin or present UMCOR's power point slide and collect a special offering on Sundays. By doing so, you allow UMCOR to respond immediately and comprehensively to disasters in our world. Give to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450.
SOUTH AFRICA: CARING FOR REFUGEES
In South Africa, refugees from Zimbabwe who fled from violence and hunger in their homeland, arrive in Johannesburg and are subjected to more xenophobic attacks by South Africans, who are also struggling to survive.
The UMCOR-supported Central Methodist Mission's Ray of Hope ministry provides food, clean water and temporary shelter for over 2,000 refugees daily. Ray of Hope also provides mothers who have no financial resources with food, diapers and other basic materials to help meet their infant's needs.
Through Ray of Hope, UMCOR provides cooking facilities and building maintenance as well as preschool, legal aid, literacy classes and a free health clinic to arriving refugees.
Support this ministry by giving to South Africa Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance #3020999.
During the summer months in Haiti, children miss out on the only meal they would normally receive while in school. Many of these children are vulnerable to malnutrition.
The Haiti Hot Lunch Program supported by UMCOR and operated through the Methodist Church of Haiti, feeds nearly 17,000 children every year through their vacation bible school. Because of this program, the children are healthier and their academic scores are rising. The program serves hearty meals that include beans, rice and other local produce.
Please help the Methodist Church of Haiti continue to provide three hot meals a day for children attending school this summer. Give to the Haiti Hot Lunch Program, UMCOR Advance #418790.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online at givetomission.org. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Health
Children
Refugees & displacement
Food and hunger
Haiti
South Africa
