FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline: Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:
US: CHURCHES RESPOND TO SOUTH PACIFIC DISASTER RESOURCES: WORLD AIDS DAY, DEC. 1 US: UMCOR DIRECTORS APPROVE FUNDING FOR HUNGER PROGRAMS ARMENIA: HELP FOR A BOY WITH TBUS: CHURCHES RESPOND TO SOUTH PACIFIC DISASTER
The Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel, California is partnering with Hilltop United Methodist Church, Seaside, Calif., to assist survivors of the four tsunamis that struck South Pacific islands in recent weeks. About 90 percent of the homes were damaged by the tsunami in Tonga.
The churches plans to fill and ship two large crates of food and supplies to Tonga by Christmas, and are collecting donations of food and non-food items for shipping on Nov. 1. Suggested donations include rice, flour, sugar, canned fish, corn beef, salt, peanut butter, beans, or basic items like toilet paper, laundry powder, toothpaste, tooth brushes, and blankets.
Churches interested in donating should email Geoff Van Loucks, Geoff@vanloucks.com for instructions in how to deliver supplies to Hilltop UMC.
You can support survivors of recent disasters with your gifts to South Pacific Disaster, International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450, Indonesia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #217400, and Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.
RESOURCES: WORLD AIDS DAY, DEC. 1
Hari is a truck driver from Mathura, India. He learned he was HIV positive while at a restaurant stop in Mursan, India. Prostitution is a common occurrence in this transient, impoverished area, putting truck drivers in a high risk category for HIV/AIDS.
Thanks to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund-supported Dhaba Project, a program of the Methodist Public Health Center in Mursan, India, 6,000 truck drivers like Hari receive pre- and post HIV testing, education on AIDS prevention, and counseling support services. Today, Hari is much healthier. He receives regular antiretroviral treatment and attends monthly support meetings.
World AIDS Day is Dec.1. Visit UMCOR's World AIDS Day 2009 web page to learn more, and download a number of available resources to share with your local congregation in preparation of World AIDS Day. You can also support projects like these by giving to UM Global AIDS Fund, UMCOR Advance #982345.
US: UMCOR DIRECTORS APPROVE FUNDING FOR HUNGER PROGRAMS
UMCOR's board of directors approved $25,000 to support a meal packaging program for malnourished children in South Africa, and $80,000 to continue the Haiti Hot Lunch Program in Haiti.
The meal packaging program is a joint partnership between Stop Hunger Now and the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Through this program, volunteers mix four meal ingredients and pour it into a bag. The bag is weighed, adjusted, sealed, labeled, and is distributed through existing feeding programs. About 10 percent is held aside for use in disaster response. The meals are dehydrated and have a shelf life of three to five years.
UMCOR directors also approved $80,000 to continue its long-time support of the United Methodist Church of Haiti Hot Lunch Program. The hot lunch program serves a hearty, nutritious meal to nearly 17,000 school children every day.
Support key hunger programs, by giving to World Hunger and Poverty, UMCOR Advance #982920.
ARMENIA: HELP FOR A BOY WITH TB
Taniel* is a five-year old boy from Armenia who was very ill with a high fever, cough, fatigue, and a low appetite. A village ambulatory doctor told his parents that Taniel most likely had tuberculosis (TB) and needed to be hospitalized right away. Because they were afraid of being stigmatized, his parents chose to care for him at home.
Tamara Tovmasyan, a TB specialist who works for UMCOR's Mobile Medical Team (MMT) in Armenia, stepped in to help. She visited the boy's family and educated them on the severity of Taniel's condition. The next day, he was taken to a hospital where his TB condition was confirmed. Because of UMCOR's MMT intervention, Taniel's health is improving.
UMCOR's MMT is a mobile medical unit supported by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund that brings medical assistance to vulnerable communities who cannot afford health care. Help this important work in Armenia continue by giving to Armenia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #250225.
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
Food and hunger
Armenia
Indonesia
Philippines
United States of America
